At this point, you’ve all heard of TED Talks. But have you heard of “Tap Talks”? Hoofers, get excited. Tonight, the American Tap Dance Foundation begins a six-part monthly series—”Tap Talks”—as part of its mission to educate the community about this classic American dance style. The talks will bring together everyone from tap dancers and […]
1. Tap is by the people, for the people. Anyone can tap: young, old, skinny, fat, tall, short. There’s no discrimination. 2. Being a tapper means I get to work with my sister, Chloé! Creating the D.C. Tap Festival has been a dream come true for both of us. 3. Tap is so much fun […]
Tap star Michelle Dorrance has charmed audiences all over the world with her big smile and lightning-fast feet. The North Carolina native started tapping at age 4, and studied ballet at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill—founded by her mother, M’Liss Gary Dorrance. Later, Dorrance joined Gene Medler’s North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. She moved […]
Every tapper has go-to improv moves, but the key to staying fresh is switching up the steps you lean on and finding new ways to think outside the box. Remember: You can always take new risks within the steps you already know. Dance Spirit spoke with five pro tappers who have found unexpected treats in […]
Jason Janas (by Paolo Bernardotti) It’s impossible not to get caught up in the moment when you watch Jason Janas tap dance. Electricity rumbles in his fast-moving feet and reverberates up through his body. You come away wondering how such athletic dancing could also seem so loose and easy. How did Janas hone his talents? […]
Gregory Hines in White Nights (photos via Dance Magazine Archives) L.A.-based tap dancer Melinda Sullivan has hoofed her way through tons of tap jams. But she recalls one particular jam session she attended as a teenager especially fondly, because of a surprise guest: tap legend Gregory Hines. “He just showed up at the old Debbie […]
When we first told you about Irish step dancer-turned-high fashion model Coco Rocha, she was getting her tap on in a TV spot for White House | Black Market. And we were beyond lovin’ it. Now, she’s back on the airwaves in a new spot for the brand. But this time she’s battling it out—with herself! […]
Chloé Arnold (by Matthew Murphy) You walk onstage for your tap routine—click, click, click—and take your opening position for a performance a capella (without music). You begin to dance, each tap breaking the silence in the theater all over again. Clickety-clack, ka-lack click, a-kik-kik-kik-kik clap… Tapping a capella can be exhilarating, but with no beats […]