Overview
#MattSteffanina refers to the influential YouTube choreographer (13M+ subscribers) who became one of the most-viewed dance content creators by posting weekly tutorials to Top 40 hits, bridging the gap between professional choreography and accessible dance education.
Origin & History
Matt Steffanina (born October 20, 1986, in Virginia) started dancing at 18, later than most professional dancers. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue choreography and began posting YouTube tutorials in 2011.
YouTube strategy: Unlike choreographers posting only performance videos, Matt created tutorial series—teaching step-by-step breakdowns of his choreography to popular songs. This democratized access to professional-level instruction.
Career Highlights
YouTube dominance (2011-present):
- 13M+ subscribers (one of dance’s biggest channels)
- 2B+ total views
- Weekly uploads of choreography + tutorials to chart-topping songs
Music video choreography:
- Jason Derulo “Wiggle”
- DNCE “Cake By the Ocean”
- Tinashe “2 On”
- Various Vevo, MTV, and independent artist projects
TV appearances:
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (performed with students)
- So You Think You Can Dance (guest choreographer)
- Dance Moms (guest teacher)
Dance studio: Founded Dance Tutorials LIVE (DTL) classes in LA, allowing fans to learn from him in person.
Impact & Influence
Accessible choreography education: Made professional-level instruction free via YouTube, inspiring millions to learn dance at home.
Pop music choreography ecosystem: Became go-to choreographer for filming dance videos to new pop releases, often within days of song drop.
Student community: Built loyal following of dancers worldwide who learned his routines, posted their own covers, creating viral feedback loop.
Instagram/TikTok crossover: Adapted content for shorter platforms, teaching 15-second TikTok dances to his YouTube audience.
Revenue model innovation: Pioneered monetizing dance content through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and paid online classes (before TikTok Creator Fund existed).
Choreography Style
Genre: Commercial hip-hop, jazz-funk, contemporary fusion Aesthetic: Clean, showy, music video-ready Accessibility: Simplified enough for intermediate dancers but still impressive Trending songs: Focuses on Top 40 hits, ensuring viral potential
Criticism & Challenges
Originality debates: Some critics argue his choreography lacks artistic depth, prioritizing virality over innovation.
Copyright issues: Choreographing to copyrighted music for monetized content occasionally sparked DMCA takedowns.
Cultural appropriation discussions: As white choreographer often dancing to Black artists’ music and incorporating street dance styles, faced occasional criticism about credit and compensation to originators.
Algorithmic dependency: Success tied to YouTube algorithm changes; platform shifts could threaten business model.
Related Hashtags
- #KyleHanagami (fellow YouTube choreographer)
- #CommercialDance
- #DanceTutorial
- #YouTubeDancer
- #DanceChoreography
Sources
- YouTube: @MattSteffanina (13M+ subscribers)
- Dance Spirit Magazine: “How Matt Steffanina Built a Dance Empire on YouTube” (2019)
- Forbes: “The Business of YouTube Dance” (2018)
- Billboard: “Choreographers Who Make Music Videos Go Viral” (2020)