If you have attended any Swarthmore dance performances over the past three years, you likely saw Greta Matthies ’26 at the front of LPAC’s stage. Since her early childhood, Matthies has been dedicated to ballet. As a pre-professionally trained dancer, Matthies awes her audiences, swaying with effortless grace both in the studio and on stage. Though you can often find her by LPAC’s dance lockers, and in numerous departmental and student pieces, surprisingly, she is neither a dance major nor minor. Instead, Matthies sees dance as a means of healing and reconnecting with herself.
Jeremy Weinstein-Sears: How long have you been dancing, and what is your preferred style?
Greta Matthies: I started dancing when I was three years old. [My parents always say] I watched a PBS special on “Swan Lake,” and I begged and begged them [to let me dance]. They actually did not want me to dance. They wanted [me] to try a bunch of different things, but I was super determined to do it, so I stuck with it. I’ve mostly done classical ballet, but other styles too, like contemporary, modern, and jazz.
JWS: What moment inspired you to continue dancing?
GM: I really liked the discipline of it. I would go into dance knowing what I need to focus on, and I think that’s translated into other aspects of my life. It has really taught me a lot. I was in a pre-professional program at the Nashville Ballet, and we danced four or five hours every day after school, [and] seven hours every weekend — so it was very, very intense. Ultimately, in my freshman year [of high school], I quit that studio because I knew I wanted to pursue other interests in college. My old studio was really intense, [representative of the] generational trauma passed down in the ballet industry. I wanted to get out of that circle for a little bit, so I took a few breaks during high school. But, I really wanted to get back into it in college. It’s stress-relieving. I wanted to find my love again.
JWS: What has it been like to dance here?
GM: The dance [department] is so incredible and supportive, and there’s such a strong community here. I am super grateful for Chandra [Moss-Thorne, senior lecturer], Jen [Chipman Bloom, associate professor in performance], and Olivia [Sabee, associate professor], who’ve really helped me find that love again. I’ve had a lot of trouble with being hard on myself, and when your teachers are critiquing you every second and you’re staring at your body in the mirror for ten hours a day, it’s hard not to have an unhealthy relationship [with dance]. I’ve definitely been able to dance for myself and dance to relieve stress. I’m thankful for the program for that.
JWS: How does dancing here differ from your high school experience?
GM: I’ve definitely found some of my best friends here. It’s also very noncompetitive, which is different from my older studios. [Those spaces] purposely make people feel competitive and always on edge. And I don’t feel that at all here. I even had to rewire my brain a bit in that way. [On top of that], I am pre-med. At first, I was only taking a few classes, breaking from dance to focus on my work. But then in sophomore year, I got into medical school, which was life changing. [Since] then, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the dance program because I haven’t had other commitments. I’ve been able to perform every semester, work with student choreographers, and try new styles.
JWS: How has the department supported your dance projects and performances?
GM: That’s one reason why this program’s incredible. [Even though] I’m not a major or minor, I feel very supported by the faculty. I’m in Olivia’s piece, who’s been great about teaching us all technical skills, while giving us unique choreography and allowing our own interpretations. So I’m super grateful to have these opportunities because I really don’t know if I’ll have [as much support] once I’m in medical school. I enjoy being in student pieces, too, because it’s a way to step into their styles of dancing and movement patterns.
JWS: How has being at Swarthmore changed or influenced your dance skills?
GM: I came in with a self-critical mindset. Chandra has especially tried to make sure that I am not too self-critical and that it’s okay to mess up in front of the class, to not do everything perfectly. I’m a huge perfectionist, which has worked for most of my life, but it’s not healthy. Jen has really pushed me with technique and taught me all these different new [ballet] styles. She’s been almost like a maternal mentor. Having [multiple teachers] move so differently, and both of their styles have really helped. I’m really grateful that there’s such a diverse faculty with different combinations. Even having them in classes adds to that community of dancers. Everyone’s so supportive. I’m really excited to go to class.
JWS: As a non-dance major, how do you balance academics with extracurricular performance?
GM: I used to prioritize academics completely. I’m working on my thesis this spring, but I’m also going to have a lot of dance shows, so it’s going to be something I have to think about. Because I was dancing so rigorously in high school, I’m able to figure out time management. I work best under short periods of pressure, especially within my busy schedule.
JWS: How do you feel your major relates to performance?
GM: Ballet has informed my love of the human body and the incredible things you can do with it. In pointe, we’re literally standing on one toe. The fact that human anatomy allows for that is really interesting. Also, it’s all about bodily control and learning how to listen to it. That was something I didn’t know how to do. Before, I would push down injuries, try to suppress them, and never go to doctors. Now I’m trying to understand what my body needs and wants. That’s been awesome.
I’m an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) right now, so I practice with the mechanics of how bodies work. I think it’s so fascinating. Ballet completely defies the laws of anatomy. You also have to think about, “Okay, I’m gonna push my body to the extreme,” and that’s okay, but also, “How do I take care of my body and make sure that I’m not hurting it?” I had a bunch of teachers who had to get double hip replacements or knee surgery after their career, so I definitely want to make sure that I’m listening to my body. Looking forward, I recommend patients to find [an outlet] like this, because I think having some kind of [physical] passion is important to relieve stress. Music and dance can be super therapeutic.
JWS: Finally, what do you love most about dancing at Swarthmore?
GM: I know it’s cliché, but do think it is the community here. Everyone is so supportive of each other. We come from different backgrounds and have so many shared, but also different experiences. [I got to] meet all these people whom I don’t think I would have met otherwise. Also, everyone is so supportive and noncompetitive, which is the best part. These are the nicest teachers I’ve ever had. I’m super grateful for feeling comfortable with them, and that is completely new for me.
