Miss Shirley’s Legacy
Every chapter of the Matta story begins with one woman: Shirley Matta — dancer, champion twirler, teacher, and founder.
The Matta Legacy
Over seventy years.
One family story.
1955The beginning
4Generations
70+Years of dance
Chapter 01
Where It Started
1950s2 photos
A Born Performer
Long before she had a studio of her own, Shirley was already in the spotlight.
1954
Miss V.F.W.
Crowned Miss V.F.W. at the 1954 State Encampment in Brockton.
Leading the Band
Shirley leading the V.F.W. band to a championship.
Chapter 02
Shirley & Eddie
1950sEddie Matta
Eddie Matta — Shirley’s husband, partner, and the warm heart behind the studio for decades.
3 photos
A Salute to Shirley & Eddie
Shirley and Eddie walk out beneath an arch of batons — a fitting send-off for a twirling family.
Chapter 03
Building the Studio
1950s – 70sThe First Students
Shirley’s very first students, Evelyn and Madeline.
1958
The Second Annual Recital
Monday evening, May 26, 1958, at Whitman Town Hall — the second annual recital by the pupils of Shirley Doten Matta, with studios in Whitman and Brockton.
2 photos
Where It All Began
The studio that would become home to generations of Brockton dancers.
1976
Adding “The Gym”
In 1976, the studio grew again with the addition of the Gymnastics School — known to everyone simply as “The Gym.”
Chapter 04
Four Daughters
1960s – 80s2 photos
Four Daughters
Lisa, Linda, Lori, and Lesli — four daughters, all raised in the studio.
Miss Lisa
The firstborn, Lisa, already at home on stage.
Little Miss Linda & Lisa
Linda and Lisa with their fellow twirlers.
2 photos
1979
Miss Massachusetts
Lisa represented Massachusetts at the 1979 Miss America Pageant.
2 photos
Miss Linda
Second-born Linda, dancing from the very start.
1983
Miss Brockton
Linda was crowned Miss Brockton in 1983.
3 photos
Miss Lori
Third-born Lori — on stage and in the stable.
Apache Way Farm Rescue
Lori went on to found Apache Way Farm Rescue.
3 photos
Miss Lesli
The fourth sister, Lesli, who carried her love of performing all the way to the big stage.
Chapter 05
The Fifth Sister
1960s – 80s2 photos
Miss Jeanne
Jeanne — known to the family as “the fifth sister.”
1979
Jeanne & Lisa at Miss America
Jeanne with Lisa at the Miss America Pageant.
Shirley and Her Girls
Shirley with Lisa, Linda, Jeanne, and Lori.
Chapter 06
Patriots Pride
1978 – Today3 photos
New England Patriots Cheerleaders
Three sisters cheered for the New England Patriots: Lisa, Linda, and Lori.
2 photos
Alumni Game
Back on the field for the Patriots Cheerleader Alumni Game.
6 photos
Hall of Fame
Lisa was inducted into the Patriots Cheerleader Hall of Fame.
Cheering on the Cheerleaders
Gordon and Michael, supporting their Patriots cheerleaders.
Chapter 07
Bright Lights
Through the YearsA Night with Wayne Newton
A night with legendary entertainer Wayne Newton.
Dancing with the Stars
Eddie with Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Lesli, Simon & Terry
Lesli with Simon and Terry.
Ricky Martin & Jamie King
Lesli with Ricky Martin and choreographer Jamie King.
The Pointer Sisters
Shirley, Eddie, and Lesli with the Pointer Sisters.
Chapter 08
A Growing Family
1993 – Today1993
Matta Dance Extension
In 1993, Linda opened a second location: Matta Dance Extension.
2005
On Stage with JoJo
Matta dancers performed with singer JoJo in 2005.
2 photos
Grandchild No. 4: Ashley
Shirley’s fourth grandchild, Ashley — today the studio’s third-generation director.
2 photos
The Youngest Grandchild: Brooke
Brooke, the youngest grandchild — today the Director of Matta Dance Extension.
2 photos
Family Celebrations
Shirley and Eddie, surrounded by the family they built.
Chapter 09
The Fourth Generation
Today2 photos
The Fourth Generation
Miss Lisa’s grandchildren, Eddie and Isla, take the stage.
Welcome, Capri
The newest addition to the family: Capri.
2 photos
Miss Lisa & Her Grandchildren
Miss Lisa with her three grandchildren.
Four Generations
Four generations of Matta dancers in one photo.
Same Costume, a Generation Apart
Isla, and Miss Ashley before her — in the very same costume.
Chapter 10
A True Dance Family
2024 – 20252 photos
Brockton Holiday Parades
Bringing holiday cheer to downtown Brockton.
2 photos
A True Dance Family
Not just a dance studio — a true dance family.
2 photos
2024
Off to Nationals
Miss Shirley sends the team off to Nationals in Atlantic City, July 2024.
2 photos
2024
Parent Dance Battle Champions
Even the parents brought home a title: 2024 Parent Dance Battle National Champions.
2024
African Footprint: National Champions
African Footprint was crowned 2024 National Champion.
6 photos
2024
Celebrating on the Beach
The team celebrating together by the ocean.
2025
Alumni Rehearsals
Alumni from across the decades came back to dance together in 2025.
Seventy Years
Thank you for starting this legacy.
We love you — cheers to 70 years!