Lefebvre Matthew

Article by Erika Glasberg
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11 May 2011

CORNWALL - Matthew Lefebvre may seem like a shy, small town boy, but he has
proven to be an explosive and energic ball of energy when he hits the stage and dances and that's why he's taking his act to Paris.

A 15-year-old dancer, Lefebvre recently competed in the 5,6,7,8, Showtime Inc. four-day
dance competition in Mont Tremblant with his sister. At the end of the competition, one of the four panel judges offered a surprise to the finalists.

Tara-lean Popowich, Season 2 winner of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada'', asked the competitors to stand up. She announced that she was looking for two dancers who
impressed her throughout the competition to join her on her tour in Paris this summer.
"Personally, I didn't think I would have been chosen," said Lefebvre.

Popowich continued around the floor to where about 1,800 contestants stood and asked for just the boys to stand. At the back of the room stood Lefebvre, hiding behind
another competitor when she pointed at him and asked him if he'd join her on the tour.
"I was just shocked," he explained. "Just the fact that people saw me and the fact that she chose me was very overwhelming.'' Lefebvre hasn't traveled much, but he will be able to add Paris to his list of adventures.

He will be travelling with his father on the eight-night tour of Paris which includes accomodation, choreography and dance schools, tours of dance studios and historical dance venues. However, the flight, food and, of course, spending money isn't included so he is doing what he can to raise the funds himself. "If there is anybody I know that deserves this, it's him,'' said Chloe Crack, Lefebvre's dance instructor.

"He's 15 and works day in and day out to improve himself. His attitude is so positive and
he is so humble and not cocky. He knows he has a gift. I'm very very proud of him. This is what he lives for, to dance, and it shows.''

Through a bottle fundraiser and a zumba-thon in Casselman and Alexandria Lefebvre is hoping to raise at least $6,000 to pay for the trip. "To me, it's more than just dance - it's a form that you can really put out your emotions. It's been a kind of medicine for the hard times I've been through, it's a passion and it's more so my life," said Lefebvre.

For more information, contact Matthew Lefebvre at hightops@live.ca