As Good as it Gets?

Friday, October 16th, 2009 | All Posts by Matt Stewart, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | No Comments

This summer was shaping up to be the best summer a person could reasonably ask for. Three weeks after the end of a successful 2009 repertory season I was able to record my first album, No Return Address, with some great friends from the Ballet, including soloist James Sofranko, former master electrician at SFB Dennis Hudson, and my twin brother, Benjamin Stewart.

Me, Jim, and Ben working in the studio

A short two weeks later, I’m in North Carolina walking down the aisle with my wife (Courtney Elizabeth) for the first time as “Mr. and Mrs. Stewart.” The feelings during and after the ceremony were overwhelming. I felt as good as I had always dreamed I would, just a flood of joy and peace. It was an amazing wedding week; no regrets whatsoever.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart!

We then flew off to our honeymoon location of Prince Edward Island, which we chose because of our mutual love of the Anne of Green Gables series. It’s a quiet and charming island with miles of scenic drives, and plenty of space to just relax and get away from the world for a moment.

Here we are enjoying our honeymoon destination: Prince Edward Island

I’m not sure if everyone else feels the same way, but when things are going so perfectly, you start to wonder when the bottom is going to fall out. Well, it’s four months later and I’d say things are still looking up!

Courtney and I have moved into a wonderful new apartment only minutes from work. And we have an actual view! We had a great time releasing my CD in August at Crimson Lounge, as well as debuting another singer/songwriter in the Company, Shannon Roberts. She has a voice, as you may have noticed during West Side Story Suite. And I found out that WSSS was the first time she sang in front of an audience OR her parents! Talent! I’m going to have to collaborate with her for sure. Keep an eye out for her!

Performing at the release party at the Crimson Lounge

Then we had the tour to China: not a bad follow-up to the summer’s events— what a cultural experience. It was kind of a shock the first time I looked out my window in Shanghai and saw the magnitude of the buildings in that city. Four years in NYC couldn’t prepare me for that!

The view from my hotel room

The number of people is worth noting too; never again will I feel crowded in Union Square or Golden Gate Park! The highlight of the trip for me, and it was surprisingly emotional, was standing on the Great Wall. It had been a dream of mine to visit the Wall ever since I saw pictures and video of it as a student in Minnesota. I wrote it off as a dream that I would never get to realize since I was a middle-class Midwesterner and didn’t expect to leave the borders of the US. Boy did I ever! Thanks to SFB I’ve had the privilege of touring to Paris, Athens, London, Iceland, and now China.

Here I am on the Great Wall!

On the last day of the China Tour, another positive event occurred. I’m excited to announce that it’s easier than ever to access my music because as of September 2009, I’m on iTunes! (Search Matt Stewart, No Return Address, since there’s ANOTHER Matt Stewart on iTunes.) I think that one of the best ways to get to know me is to get to know my music. It’s truly a privilege for me to be able to share my music with people, and I hope you stop by and check it out.

A screenshot of my album on iTunes

After such a great summer I’m really looking forward to the rest of the dance season. A highlight for me last year was getting to dance in Russian Seasons as the Violet Man, and I can’t wait to revisit that role. Some other things I’m looking forward to are Paul Taylor’s Company B, John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, and Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet. I really encourage you to come see these ballets if you get a chance. This season promises to be an exciting one, and who knows, maybe you’ll get to see my wife and me dance together!

See you in the Opera House!

Tags: Ben Stewart, China Tour, Courtney Elizabeth, James Sofranko, Matt Stewart

Catching up with the Stewart Brothers

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 | All Posts by Ben Stewart | No Comments

Right now, I’m in my sixth class of a masters of Arts in Education program, with an emphasis in instruction and curriculum, through the University of Phoenix. So far I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA and really enjoy it. My twin brother Matthew and I are also practicing a lot in preparation for recording his first professional album in May. He’s been writing songs and playing guitar for years, but never felt it was the right time to make an album. We can’t wait and are extremely excited!

Also, this summer my brother is getting married to a fellow SFB dancer, Courtney Elizabeth, and I’m so excited and happy for the two of them! I’m the best man of course! The wedding will be in North Carolina and it will be a nice vacation for us.

My wife, Erin Stewart, is one of the faces of the new Smuin Ballet ad campaign. You will be seeing posters of her on BART and on buses around the city very soon.

I think that about wraps it up. Life is good!

Tags: Ben Stewart, Courtney Elizabeth, Matthew Stewart, Smuin Ballet