Life is a dance- Tap into it!
In case you missed it (shame on you!) here is the video clip of Jason Samuels Smith and his company Anybody Can Get It (featuring Chloe Arnold, Sarah Reich, Melinda Sullivan, Lee How Fasho, and Baakari Wilder) from Thursday’s episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”.
July 16, 2011
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Be sure to watch “So You Think You Can Dance” tonight, July 14th at 8pm on FOX to see Jason Samuels Smith’s company Anyone Can Get It (A.C.G.I.)! Performers include Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Melinda Sullivan, Sarah Reich, Baakari Wilder and Lee Howard! It’s going to be sick! Yeay for Nigel for having Tap represented even though Nick Young was sent home a few weeks ago. Can’t wait to see what goes down!
July 14, 2011
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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!
February 9, 2011
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To all my followers, I am sorry I have been behind in relaying Tap in the News. This segment will be longer than usual, as there are a bunch of articles I have had to read!
We will start with a review by Marty Hughley of Jason Samuels-Smith’s company A.C.G.I. (Anyone Can Get It) who just performed a 3 night stint in Portland, Oregon as part of the White Bird Dance 2010 Season.
Click here to read the article
Even with amazing shows and companies travelling around the world, Tap is still under the radar. There aren’t very many all Tap studios in the country, but in Silver Spring, Maryland, a small studio called Knock on Wood is struggling to survive as one of them. Tap needs to be preserved and there are few people dedicated like Courtenay Swinton that are actually doing it. However, due to the economy she is finding it harder and harder to continue to share her passion. Hearing about this studio, it makes me think what we can do as a community to keep Tap on the Map through fundraisers, events, and to peak interest in general….
Click here to read the article
Also keeping Tap on the Map is the Tap ensemble, Soul Full of Rhythm in Ann Arbor, MI who is presenting an in-studio performance titled “In the Mix”. I think this is a great idea that is cost-effective and as Sara Randazzo puts it, “We’ll make the [audience] part of the show”. It inspires me to snag the idea as well, as it is important for students to perform. It doesn’t have to be a huge all out production, but somewhere where they can show off what they have learned. A once a year recital doesn’t seem to be enough for me…
Click here to read the article
Bloch has launched the debut of it’s newest shoe designed for and by Jason Samuels Smith! It’s called the Jason Sameuls Smith Professional Tap Shoe SO313. Aptly named, this shoe is said to be extremely comfortable with larger taps for the ball of the foot, is already built up, and ready to use right out of the box. Since it is designed by a Tap dancer who obviously knows what we experience when teaching and performing, and how much our feet throb at the end of the day, it is one of the best shoes in the market. It’s actually next on my list to buy (as I have destroyed my Capezio k360’s) and I am very excited to try them out!
Click here to read the article by Nicole Saleh from the debut in Sydney, Australia
Visit Divine Rhythms Productions to buy this shoe
Getting to Know You…..
Knowing about Tap history connects you with the art. I teach about the roots of Tap dance and try to make it a point to talk about people who have contributed throughout the years. The Tap dancers from years ago have influenced the movement of Tap through this new generation that continues to evolve. So read up on Derick Grant, Ruby Keeler, and Fred Kelly!
Here’s a great interview with Derick Grant by Nicole Harris
Click here to see Derick in action!!
Next up is a short history of Ruby Keeler posted by Cedric Grosjean
Click here to see a clip of Ruby
This is a great blog post about the life of Gene Kelly’s brother, Fred Kelly.
Check out the video at the end of the post from above.
Here is a video where Maurice Hines talks about John and Leo Manzari for his show “Sophisticated Ladies”
December 7, 2010
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It’s a short week due to the holiday, but that doesn’t mean we took it easy!
Understanding terminology and musicality have been a major focus this month and yesterday was “test” time! The students seemed to like the exercise, but I think next time I will try smaller groups (I had a group of 5 and one of 6).
The task was to create a chorus using 8 predetermined steps (like shuffle, waltz clog, etc…) plus include an intro and ending consisting of 2 bars of quarter notes.
I found that between the students they figured out all the steps, which is one reason I used larger groups, but also found that they struggled with cooperating with each other when it came to decisions. Overall, the project was successful and I will modify it for the next time I use it- I feel like the first time you give a project to a class that has never seen anything like this before, you don’t expect it to come out exactly the way you want it to. Next time it will be easier for the students because I will lead them through a warm up based on how to build and count a chorus.
We also worked on our music. I gave them several groove steps that we layered together and all took a 4 bar solo over. It was a lot of fun and gave some insight on how to be background music for the soloist. How do you have to change your weight and accents in order to not overpower anyone? How did the groove steps in the background influence your solo?
Let’s get a jam going soon too!!!
Have a safe and happy holiday and don’t forget to check out:
Tap City Youth Ensemble in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 24, 2010
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Finding a groove. Being “in the pocket”. Phrasing.
These are all common terms to a tap dancer who understands improvisation and music. Sadly, this isn’t something that is always taught in Tap class. I think it is one of the most important and commonly overlooked components of Tap dance. By understanding improvisation and music, having a solid technical background, and being given the freedom of creative expression, a complete Tap dancer is made. We need to allow our students to express themselves creatively because it not only gives them a release if class, it also gives them valuable tools to express themselves out in the world.
Finding the foundation for improvisation is not always easy, so we tackled this in baby steps this week.
We worked to understand how to find a groove. It doesn’t have to be a difficult or jam packed with crazy rhythms, just something you can, well, groove to. Out of this groove we began to add layers with additional tones and rhythms to create a melody and we were on our way to freeing our voices. The students seemed to really enjoy this exercise because many of them had never done anything like this! We had parents watching through the window impressed with what they heard. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Understanding phrasing is also a key component in our foundation. By training yourself to count by feeling, you can let go and just listen. This frees you from the number “chains” and gives you the ability to listen to what the music is saying so that you can sing along with it. Being able to hear where the phrases begin and end allows you to create your song with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Always be clear with what you are saying and mean it!
In general, a good rule of thumb is to listen to music. Often. You don’t have to like every genre of music, but become familiar with what is out there. Every musician has something that makes them unique- especially how they choose to phrase their music. So listen to music you might not normally pick on a day to day basis, and see how (or if) it inspires you.
We also worked on some other musical components as well- tempo, dynamics, and accents. These play a HUGE part when it comes to expressing yourself because they are you punctuation marks! You don’t talk in a robot monotone voice when telling an interesting story- your voice gets louder or softer, changes pitch, becomes faster when you are excited, etc., and your music should do the same. Just because you may be telling a story with your feet and not your mouth doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting!
Here is a video of Jason Samuels Smith, one of the greatest and talented Tap dancers out there. He truly understands music, rhythm, and his voice, which allows him infinite freedom of expression when he is on the floor. Listen to the way he uses accents, dynamics, tempo, rhythm, and phrasing when creating his song.
Enjoy and Happy Tapping.
There’s been some talk about Tap in the news lately! It’s not everything but these are some of the articles I have enjoyed.
Click here to read the article: Amor Guest Stars in Tap Spectacular
Here is a video trailer of the show.
Click here to read the article: The ‘Alley Cats’ Perform Holiday Classics December 1st
Channing Cook-Holms will be performing Wednesday Dec 2nd in “Got Rhythm”. Never heard of him? Check out the video!
If you haven’t seen STOMP, then you NEED to get to a theater where it is playing! It is one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen in my life, and it is quite an experience. The first clip is from STOMP OUT LOUD and is one of my favorites. It’s a great introduction to what STOMP is all about and just fun overall. The second is also from STOMP OUT LOUD but is also part of the live show- the Brooms. It’s a super cool piece and features a Tap portion. It’s obviously different in the live show but it’s something that’s inspiring and absolutely innovative! Enjoy.
Buy STOMP OUT LOUD on Amazon.com
Click here to read the article: Tops on the Tap Scene
Check out the Chicago Human Rhythm Project!
Click here to read the article: Two Feet, An Eyebrow and a Storm
All I can say is WOW!
If you’re looking for something to do after you recover from your Thanksgiving Day food coma, Tap Off the Turkey with Jason Samuels Smith and Chloe Arnold!!!
10am-1pm at STEPS on Broadway
Space is limited so REGISTER NOW!!!!!
I know it’s short notice, but if you’re free check out the Fall for Dance Festival in NYC with Jason Samuels Smith and his company ACGI! The festival is Oct 6th-7th in NYC! You’ll have to find a creative way to snag tickets as the show is sold out, but don’t miss this opportunity if you’re in the area!
Check out the 2010 Fairview Hospital Gala on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA. Jason Samuel Smith‘s company ACGI will be performing! The Company features Maud Arnold, Christopher Broughton, Lisa La Touche, and Lee How Fasho and will be accompanied by the Curtis Lundy Quartet!
It’s ONE NIGHT ONLY so get your tickets now!!!
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