Resident teacher and choreographer at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, Nijawwon Matthews teaches a turn straight out of his contemporary jazz classes.

Nijawwon Matthews, 30, trained as a gymnast and in jiujitsu before beginning his dance training at age 16 in ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop at Absolute Dance in Auburn, New York. He has performed with companies across the country, including Philadanco, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. In addition to teaching at Broadway Dance Center, he is a resident teacher and choreographer at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and has taught at Steps on Broadway, Peridance Capezio Center and Harlem School of the Arts. Matthews performs, choreographs and directs his own company, XY Dance Project.