Perhaps you’ve seen him at the studio or on the schedule — that’s right, Matthew Aldini is back at Body & Pole for the entire month of November! Even better, he’s offering classes for nearly all levels, from pole 1 through 4, and his signature Pole’ography class! We hope you take the chance to train with Matthew while he’s visiting us from Austin. And in case you haven’t had the pleasure yet, keep reading to get to know him a little better:
Where are you visiting Body & Pole from?
I stay throughout Texas, back and forth between Austin & Dallas-Fort Worth, Yeehaw!! In the summer & fall I travel back home to the east coast and teach!
What is your background in movement and dance?
My movement background started in Queens, NY at my grandfather’s music & dance institute. It was ballet, I was the only boy, and that made me feel out of place. Due to my grand mal seizure disorder my posture stood out to the teacher and she put me down. I never wanted to dance again after feeling ashamed and being singled out so early on. I never felt like enough in the dance world, even to this day.. so I didn’t take dance seriously until college in Fort Worth, 2007 with Velocity Dance Company.
How did you discover pole dance?
While I was in a Texas college for dance, I needed to get resourceful to figure out how to pay for food, rent and tuition. Inside uptown Dallas’ gay bars were poles, so I used my drag queen friend’s ID and got a job illegally as a stripper (no, not a go-go boy, that’s different). I examined the muscle men and taught myself visually from inside the gay strip clubs within 2009-2010. After being turned down in Texas within the formal pole studios because of my gender, I stumbled upon an all-inclusive pole studio in Austin called Brass Ovaries — thus formally starting my pole journey inside the pole studios in 2017.
What inspired you to start teaching?
The feeling of helping others made me want to be a pole teacher. I was drained by the fashion industry spiritually, emotionally, physically & financially. I wanted to have purpose here without harming the planet, I wanted to help others while simultaneously helping myself.
What are some of your greatest achievements in the pole world?
I think my greatest achievement is more personal but then after walking off the stage realizing I made world history simultaneously within the pole industry. Rewind 10 months earlier, I was literally run over by a Toyota Sequoia — it went over my pelvic region and legs twice, while I was riding my bike back from the grocery store in Austin, Texas. My leg would not heal and I never thought I would be able to dance again. Luckily I was burned by mistake by a doctor on my wound creating a reaction for my leg to ‘wake up and heal’. Within the same year I was the First Male Classique Competitor for the US Pole Sports Federation and without realizing until I walked off stage.
What can Body & Pole students expect to learn in your classes?
Details I wish I learned in the very beginning before getting hurt! I share important exercises to keep individuals safe — the same rudiments I use to keep my neck and shoulders in place. I share important details that got me back in good health physically and mentally within my movement journey. I remind my students the importance of dance and why it can be a tool to help us push through.
What’s a fun fact you’re willing to share?
I’m not only a pole princess but a fashion queen and musician. I wrote a song about my days as a Gay Stripper titled, “Daddy?” I also played percussion most of my life, which I learned from my dad, who is a professional. I wrote my first published poem in first grade and I learned how to play French horn as well but now would rather playing traditional instruments. I currently create and write music digitally. I have three original tracks published on all music platforms titled, “Soft Served”, “Daddy?” and “House Daddy”. You can find me and the links to my music, pole workshops & fashion chain jewelry designs at my Instagram – @matthewxohh
Speaking of your jewelry designs, you have such unique personal style. What can you tell us about your journey to developing it?
Being born in Manhattan, NY into a prestigious art community, growing up in NY around fame at La Guardia HS made me feel like I could never be enough. As the black sheep of the family, I steered far from learning arts formally while my family focused on my siblings. I wanted to create and learn my own way without being put down, influenced and told what to do. Realizing very early on Hollywood and fame was an awful scam, I didn’t and currently do not let the clout, smoke and mirrors get in my way. A lot of my dance style comes from the streets, from not having anyone, being alone and in a dark place. Back in high school I didn’t have many friends. I was known as the gay guy who wears make up, always bullied and harassed. I found a community that accepted me outside of school, so most of my weekend nights were spent at underground raves, in cracked out warehouses outside Dallas, when the Kandi Kid culture was prevalent during the MySpace internet boom. Britney Spears, Carmen Electra, House Music, Tutt Style, Jump Style, Dirty South & East Coast Hip Hop all inspired my movements from early on. Developing your own style can be very difficult in this oppressive place, my artist development really flourished within Austin, Texas — a place where I feel used to be easy to wear whatever you feel and be who you feel to be with no questions in mind.. I’ve never fit in to be a ‘cool kid’ or ‘popular’ & I stan with the ones who don’t fit in or have a place. I like to connect with kind and humble individuals. I like to shine kindness no matter the light.
