Over the last two weeks I have added almost 20 new tap dance video lessons to my Tap Training Website: www.eTapDance.com.
To get access, you can also now choose between several affordable new membership options! In celebration of these timely improvements to the site, I’m sharing one of the newest video lessons in its entirety below.
To be fair to my paying members, this video will only be accessible via the link below through this Friday, August 13th. After that I’ll have to take it down!
The Tap Dance Podcast returns with an in-depth interview of Jersey Tap Fest Founder & Director, Hillary-Marie Michael! Find out about what’s on going at next month’s festival and learn how you can be part of this historic event!
We are less than two months away from the Jersey Tap Fest! They are currently running a special promotion where you can save 10% if you complete registration by May 25th, National Tap Dance Day. (Coincidentally, I am also offering 10% off at www.PortableTapFloor.com via coupon code TAPDAY [exp. 5/25])
Here are some of the tap luminaries that will be a part of this outstanding tap event!
JTF 2010 FACULTY
Honoree:
Living tap dance legend Dr. Harold ‘Stumpy’ Cromer of the song and dance comedy team “Stump and Stumpy” with James Cross. Credits include, Du Barry Was a Lady, Early To Bed, The American Dance Machine and special appearances with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and many more!
Rep Teachers:
Logan Miller (A.C.G.I., St. Louis Hoofers)
Sarah Reich (A.C.G.I., LA Ironworks)
Alicia Smith (New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Kyle Wilder (New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Youth/Int/Adv/Early Bird/Technique Teachers:
Karen Callaway Williams (Riverdance, New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Maurice Chestnut (Bring in ‘Da Noise Bring in ‘Da Funk, New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Dr. Harold ‘Stumpy’ Cromer
DeWitt Fleming Jr. (Banana Spheel, Broadway Underground, New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Jeffry Foote (New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Jason Janas (Imagine Tap)
Hillary-Marie (Founder and Director of Jersey Tap Fest, New Jersey Tap Ensemble)
Deborah Mitchell (Founder and Artistic Director of New Jersey Tap Ensemble, Black and Blue)
Jenne Vermes
Hip-Hop:
Tom McKie
Music Theory for Tap Dancers:
Nicki Denner (The Nicki Denner Latin Jazz Trio)
Special Guest:
Yvette Glover (Mother of Savion Glover, Jazz Vocalist)
I recently put up a new website that makes it easier for tap dancers to discover and study tap footage. The website is located at www.FamousTapDancers.com and features master dancers from the past and present.
Essentially, the site is like YouTube “organized”. I’m hoping this site makes it easier & safer for our students to explore tap footage. If you’ve spent any time on YouTube, you know what I’m referring too…
Please check out Famous Tap Dancers and let me know what you think. Also, if you experience any errors with the site please email me at Taps [at] TapDanceMan [dot] com.
Last weekend I made the drive up to Washington D.C. with my partner in tap, Tre McClendon to participate in the D.C. Tap Festival. Despite having tap danced for 13 years, this is only the second time that I have been able to travel outside of Georgia for a festival. The first time being several years ago when I was tap dancing in New York City!
So here are a few highlights of the 2010 D.C. Tap Festival as I experienced it over two days (I did not attend Sunday’s events as we were busy driving back to Atlanta).
The Tap Dancers
By far the best part of any tap festival to me is the interaction with other tap dancers. I met dancers from all over the country and the world. It’s amazing the extent to which tap acts as a common language between dancers. If you really want to get to know a person, dance with them. On Friday we entered a studio and instantly entered into an informal jam session with folks we had never met before. We traded steps and began to connect immediately.
Classes ran through the afternoon on Friday leading up to the show which featured the instructors, special guests, and several youth tap ensembles. After the show, tap dancers gathered at Vapiano, an Italian lounge and bar that provided a nice environment in which to meet more dancers.
The Show
The show on Friday was very enjoyable. There were many stand out moments, though without a doubt the biggest shock of the night was delivered by a 6 year old boy named Luke Spring who apparently has only been tapping for one year. I have posted a clearer video of his performance to my Facebook Page though you can also get an idea of how amazing he is by watching this clip:
That’s right…he’s 6 years old. Can someone please share the teaching techniques that can cause a kid to grasp this much, this quickly?
The Classes
Of course tap festivals are not just about connections and performances. The classes also have to be on point and I’m happy yo say that they. My favorite class of the weekend was Baakari Wilder‘s (the festival honoree) teacher’s class on Friday where he spent time explaining his approach to working with students. I love teaching so I was hanging on every word as I truly want to help my students reach their maximum potential whether in live classes or my online tap lessons!
Baakari’s teaching did not end with his class. He continued to teach via his conversation after class and in his featured performance at the show on Friday night. He is a true example of tap generosity and love for the art form.
The Jam Session
After Saturday’s classes I participated in the evening Jam Session, which gave students and teachers an opportunity to perform in an informal setting for fellow tap dancers with live music. I performed alongside Tap Dance Blog guest blogger Hillary-Marie Michael, as well as Robin Passmore, & Conner Kelly, all amazing dancers with extremely bright futures! Thanks to them for allowing me in. At the Jam Session I was also thrilled that Chloe & Maud Arnold (festival organizers and outstanding artists) plugged my portable tap floors and online efforts. Special thanks go to them as well!
The Surprises
When you attend a tap festival, anything can happen! In my case, my partner Tre and I were invited to Constance Valis-Hill’s book signing at the Smithsonian Museum of U.S. History. There we shared the wood with Michelle Dorrance, Hillary Marie-Michael, Sarah Reich, & Lee Howard. Jason Samuels-Smith & Jason Janas also came through and performed for standing crowds.
Mrs. Valis-Hill’s book is an in-depth exploration of tap history & tap culture. Use this link to learn more and grab a copy:
The Impact
The thing that effected me most while in D.C. was seeing so many gifted and talented young people filled with a love for tap dancing. Experiencing that makes me to long to see the same thing here in my home city of Atlanta. In fact, I have decided to do something about it!
I will be developing a Youth Tap Ensemble for tap dancers in Atlanta who love rhythm tap and want more. Pray for me as I have very little idea what I’m doing – though to be honest, I said the same of blogging only a few short years ago! I’ll keep you posted.
photo credit: mangpages
