By Steve Sucato

After a decade with the company, beloved dancer Lieneke Matte is retiring from Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet. The company will recognize Matte with the free program, Celebrating the Career of Lieneke Matte, on June 23 at Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheatre.

A native of the Bronx, New York, Matte received her early dance training at New York’s Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet (SAB), and Fiorello H. La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in dance from SUNY Purchase College before joining Verb in 2013.

I talked with Matte about her dance career, her favorite roles, and what’s next for her.

How old were you when you began taking dance classes?

Six. My first dance classes were at a local studio in the Bronx that was in the owner’s basement.

What drew you to dance?

I wasn’t someone who danced around the house, but I did enjoy following rules and I loved the music and costumes.

When did you know you wanted to make dance your career?

When I started at the School of American Ballet in 5th grade, I truly aspired to be in the New York City Ballet. That is until I started getting into the higher levels and realized it might not be the best fit for me because of my facility. It wasn’t until I was looking at colleges that I really decided to put all my eggs in the dance basket as a career path.

Why did you choose Verb Ballets?

The versatility. I didn’t see myself as a ballerina, but I did enjoy doing ballet and different styles of dance. When I looked at Verb, they were doing dance works in pointe shoes, socks, and in bare feet and that interested me.

You are just 31 years old, why leave now?

My body has been telling me it’s time. I have been dealing with a hip injury for a few years that is starting to get better but that constant of the next injury and not knowing when that will come is a big reason. Performing is great but for me, it’s the process that I love the most and when that became burdensome and worrisome, I just felt the time was right and I wanted to leave when I was still dancing well.

Will you still dance?

I will continue taking dance classes and if opportunities arise for me to perform that’s great, but I can’t say I will be searching for them.

What will you miss most about dance company life?

The comradery. Verb is truly my second home at this point. I will also really miss the challenge of it.

Do you feel there were advantages to dancing at a regional company like Verb for your entire career?

Absolutely. I would never have gotten the opportunities I have had at Verb with another company. I have had so many pieces set on me and danced so many leading roles. Verb really invests in its dancers, and I feel like I have grown so much as an artist in my time here.

What are some of your fondest memories at Verb?

Traveling with the company to Cuba and Taiwan and being with all my fellow company members, my friends, and getting to perform with dancers from another culture. Also, seeing my fellow company members transform over the years and the whole journey I have been through with them.

What advice would give to a young dancer who wants to dance professionally?

It’s good to aspire. Keep going to and watching dance. Figure out what you like and pursue that.

What’s next for you?

I am going back to school to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling from The University of Akron.

For the performance at Cain Park, Matte chose some of her favorite works from Verb’s repertory and will feature in 3 out of the 4 ballets being performed. The lone exception being a reprise of Heinz Poll’s “Schubert Waltzes.”  

She will dance in Sacramento Ballet Artistic/Executive Director Anthony Krutzkamp’s “Similar,” a ballet she says “contains one of the first big duets I ever got to perform in my career.” She will be partnered by dancer Antonio Morillo in the duet section.

Matte will also perform another favorite pas da deux of hers, Ballet Tucson Principal dancer Daniel Precup’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas.” Danced to French singer-songwriter Jacques Brel’s song of the same name with partner Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni, the duet is one Matte says she has always loved. “I like sad, dramatic works,” she says. “I feel I can be more expressive in my dancing in those types of roles.”

Closing out the program will be the Heinz Poll favorite and one of Verb’s signature ballets, “Bolero”. Matte will dance its central role commanding a red cape in this thrilling ballet set on a matador theme.

Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet performs Celebrating the Career of Lieneke Matte, 8 p.m., Friday, June 23 at Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheatre, 14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH. The performance is FREE and no tickets are required for entrance but registration for tickets is encouraged. Visit verbballets.org.