Matthew Rich knew he didn’t want to head straight to college after high school, but he wasn’t sure what path his dance career should take. It was his teacher, The Dance Zone co-owner Jami Artiga, who told him about Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and took him to see the company perform in its infancy. Rich has been part of Cedar Lake since 2005.
“Jami introduced me to Cedar Lake. We went to Missouri, where the company was opening its tour. After the first show, Jami told me, ‘This is the company you need to be in. This is something you should strive for.’ Her influence inspired me to try and get into this company. I have to remind myself sometimes how much of a dream my career has been.”
Rich and Cedar Lake will perform at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, NY, June 11-14.
Photo by Julieta Cervantes, courtesy of Cedar Lake