Recap

We’ve hit the 10 week mark in classes and it’s time to see what we’ve learned!

 

So far this year we have covered several topics including terminology, technique, counting and music theory, improvisation, the Copasetic Cannon, body awareness, and movement through space. Lots of new concepts for my students this year, and they are embracing everything with open arms! It’s very exciting to watch them grow and succeed with the new material and see how excited and proud they feel after conquering it. I’m happy with the way classes are going this year and I have a nice balance now between teaching competition dances and exploring/expanding on music theory and history. I decided that it was time to test my students to see what they’ve retained so far….

 

The TEST:
As a way to devise what my students have learned I gave them an activity during this week’s class. We split into groups and I gave each group a set of 6 index cards with names of some tap steps we’ve covered written on them (Shuffle Ball Change, Flap Ball Change, Maxie Ford, Irish, Buffalo, and Cramp Roll to start, more will be added throughout the year). I challenged them to use only those 6 steps in any way they chose and put together a 4-bar combination. They were allowed to use any rhythms they wanted so long as it stayed within the structure. Some groups got it right away, others needed a little coaching, but all in all they did a great job! We shared combos and I put the groups up against each other at the same time to teach about polyrhythms. I feel this activity helped to solidify some common vocabulary and encourage creativity through exploration of rhythms, as well as see how well they could count and follow music structures. We had a lot of fun and they are excited to try this again!

With the more advanced students I added one of two things:

1) I handed out cards with different rhythms written on them varying from quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenths, and rests (ex. 1e&a 2& 3 a4). Students were then asked to use those rhythms somewhere in their combinations using their own ideas for footwork.

2) Each student in the group was responsible for one bar only and teaching it to their partners. We then performed duets down the line (they were across from a partner from a different group). We also worked in rounds with the combinations they created.

 

Another activity from a few weeks ago taught them about improvisation and polyrhythms. It’s the Nursery Rhyme Game aka Name That Tune! One of my favorites! I told them to close their eyes and listen. I then tapped “Row Row Row Your Boat” and asked if anyone could figure out the song. Once it was named we broke it down into two parts, figured out the rhythms, then put footwork to it. Next we played it in rounds (2,3, and 4), which was very interesting. It really forced the students to focus on their own timing, tempo, and rhythms. I challenged them to go home and figure out some other nursery rhymes or holiday songs to share in the coming weeks.

I’m excited to keep exploring and teaching these concepts to my students because I feel that it gives them a well-rounded understanding of what Tap dance really is.

 

Tappy Holidays!

 

 

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Song and Dance

Welcome to The Bushnell Blog!

100 YEARS OF BROADWAY COMPETITION

We’re just a few short weeks away from Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Song and Dance on February 19, which will feature a 7p.m. evening performance with Broadway stars (!!!) David Elder, Ted Louis Levy, Meredith Patterson, Natalie Toro and Rob Evan. Earlier in the day there will be a STUDENT SHOWCASE featuring four of Hartford’s premier dance schools all competing to be featured in the grand finale of the evening show!

Videos of the competing dance studios are up on our YouTube, check them out here and tell us who is your favorite!

STAGE LEFT DANCE
APRILLE’S DANCEPRINTS
THE DANCER’S IMAGE DANCE ACADEMY
DANCE 10 STUDIOS

About the evening show:
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Song and Dance features the best-loved song-and-dance numbers from shows like Chicago, A Chorus Line and 42nd Street. Prepare to be dazzled by Broadway veterans David Elder (Curtains, 42nd Street, Kiss Me Kate), Ted Louis Levy (Black & Blue, Bring In ‘Da Noise! Bring In ‘Da Funk!), Meredith Patterson (White Christmas, 42nd Street, The Green Bird), Natalie Toro (A Tale of Two Cities, Les Misérables) and Rob Evan (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Misérables, Little Shop of Horrors). For more information visit Neil Berg’s website: http://www.neilberg.com.

About the student showcase:
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Song and Dance Student Showcase will feature some of Greater Hartford’s most talented student dancers, all vying to be voted to appear in the evening performance’s grand finale! Dancers will appear from four local studios, including Stage Left Dance, Aprille’s Danceprints, The Dancer’s Image Dance Academy and Dance 10 Studios.

Ticket Info:
Tickets for Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Song and Dance are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford or by calling (860) 987-5900.

Tickets may also be purchased online at http://www.bushnell.org.

Tickets to the 7:00 p.m. performance are $35.00 – $45.00.

Tickets to the 2:00 p.m. Student Showcase are $15.00 or only $10.00 with the purchase of a ticket to the 7:00 performance.

Ticket prices do not include all applicable fees.

 

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  Also, check out the article on ct.broadwayworld.com

Please come to the 2pm show and cheer on your local dance studios. YOUR VOTES get your favorite dancers up on the stage with the professionals during the 7pm show finale! This is not only a great opportunity to see some local talent and support the Arts in our communities, but it’s enriching and exciting for the next generation of performers to be a part of such a monumental experience.

“I’m With the Band”

Dance Spirit Magazine just ran a great article by Kathryn Holmes on Tap dancers collaborating with musicians and the importance of understanding music! This is a great article because it mentions the lingo you should be familiar with when working with a band, and how to count music (we count in bars usually 1,2,3,4; 1,2,3,4 as opposed to counting 1,2,3,4, 5,6,7,8). There are some great tips from Michelle Dorrance and Margaret Morrison (who are both tremendous musicians) about the basics of breaking down music. If you are a Tap dancer and you are not familiar with this concept, READ THIS ARTICLE and enlist a musician friend to help you learn more! Jamming with live musicians is the best because of the energy you get from each other- amazing things are bound to happen.

Click here to read “I’m With the Band”

Melinda Sullivan

Check out Melinda Sullivan

Lessons From The Greats

I have recently taken on the challenge to immerse myself in learning the intricate differences of the older styles of Tap (Mainly Swing and Soft Shoe). Since I mainly study the more Urban/ Rhythmic style of today’s generation, I thought it would be beneficial to me and my students to really learn where Tap came from. Also, being able to study these styles, steps, people, and history has opened a new door for unlimited rhythmic possibilities. It’s fascinating to hear and see what life was like back in the late 20’s and 30’s; and to understand the social aspects that helped shape what was performed and seen on stage.

I have decided to go in no particular time order of the people I have chosen to study, and have found some really amazing videos that are full of information that I will share.

First up is a video of Honi Coles, one of the cleanest Tap dancers ever heard. Lena Horne talks in the video about what it was like listening to him dance. Honi talks a little about the creative process and what Tap means to him. There are also several clips of performances with the Coles and Atkins Act,an act that could captivate audiences with their seamless routines, crystal clear taps, and inviting personalities.

Here are a few videos of Arthur Duncan who appeared as a regular on the Lawrence Welk Show. Arthur has a great since of rhythm and can move his feet at lightning speed while keeping his timing on point and his taps crisp. His signature moves you will definitely recognize, as well as several of his rhythmic breaks (though they sound very similar to what you would hear in the Buck and Wing Time Steps).

Check out Chuck Green. What an amazing artist. Listen to how he phrases his music and the syncopation he uses. Growing up in the Swing Era definitely influenced his dancing and he stayed true to his roots while Tap was evolving with BeBop and Hollywood. Chuck studied under John Sublett (Bubbles) (of “Buck and Bubbles”) who trained him well in the Swing style.

Also, here is a clip of The Four Step Brothers performing in Barber Shop Blues (1933)

Tap Heat

Check out this short film starring Jason Samuel Smith and Arthur Duncan!

Tap Heat has a great mix of very different styles of Tap that seamlessly blend together. It shows that old school Broadway and new school Urban can co-exist alongside each other within the music because rhythm is a universal understanding. The dancing is phenomenal and the choreography by Danny Daniels and Jason Samuel Smith is truly incredible.

Take The Stage 2011

Hey Everyone!!

It’s finally time to “like” our video to help us win a spot in the 2011 Take The Stage competition!! Go to Facebook and “Like” Tap Extravaganza so you can see our video “Empire State of Mind”!!

Help get Tap on the Map and support the Connecticut Tap Collaborative!

Check out our video here, but please go to Tap Extravaganza on Facebook and “like” us so we can move on to the next round and be considered for the NYC show

Thanks =)

Tapping Into Awareness

This is a great article written by Andrew J. Nemr for this month’s issue of Dance Studio Life! It’s got great tips for students and teachers about becoming aware of your body, how to use your weight, understanding time and timing (and the difference), being able to self-correct, and playing your instrument. Big thanks to Andrew for sharing this wonderful theory.

Read “Tapping Into Awareness”

 

 

Also check out Andrew and his Pattern Theory by clicking here or checking the links section of my blog.

 

Last Minute Updates!!!!!

Be sure to check out Chloe Arnold’s show “My Life, My Diary, My Dance” if you are in New York THIS WEEKEND!!

Also, Jason and Chloe will be teaching workshops this weekend in NYC. Click on the photo for more info!!

 

 

Also, be sure to check back frequently as the Upcoming Events/Workshops section is being updated several times a week! Thanks to all the teachers, professionals, and directors that have been emailing me their events! Keep ’em coming!

Tap Dance News

Here are a few more articles about Tap dancing I found that I enjoyed.

First up is “Top Reasons to Enroll Your Kids In Dance Classes” by Oksana Jerusha. I liked it because it makes good points about some of the life skills you learn when you are in class that you will be able to use no matter what path you choose later in life.

Here’s one on why you should make dancing your choice of exercise!

Here’s another article about Savion Glover’s latest show, SoLo iN TiME. This article is from the Ottowa Citizen and is written by Natasha Gauthier.

I love what Savion is doing for Tap. He is so innovative and not afraid to push himself past his limits and try something out of the ordinary. He’s a great role model and pioneer for where Tap has been and where it is headed for the future.

Here’s another article about Savion written by Paula Citron for Canada’s The Globe and Mail.

One more on Savion by Ashante Infantry for thestar.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out this post by Rachel Hanson on Love To Know about the History of Tap Dancing. It gives just an overview, but any history that we can share only helps keep this art form alive. Thanks Rachel!

 

Terry Evans had only good things to say about Michael Woods’ debut in the hit show Riverdance currently touring the USA.

 

Dance-Teacher.com has a great article titled “Theory & Practice: Armed for Tap” all about using and incorporating your arms into your Tap dancing! It is written by Lauren Kay and has great information from Ray Hesselink (pictured), Acia Gray, and Debbie Dee.

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s an article to get you motivated from Seacostonline.com. It’s called “Get Off the Couch: Tap Dancing Challenges Mind and Body” by Rachel M. Collins. In the article, Rachel talks about how students and teachers feel that it’s never too late to learn something new and that Tap dancing is a challenging but fun way to get exercise.