Philly Paddle'n'Roll Jaye Allison PTC's visionary and producer see bio), Instructs Philly Paddle n Roll, steeped in the low to floor techniques of LaVaughn Robinson, complete with hand claps, stamps and jumps.
Tap Workshops Jason Samuels Smith In less than a decade, Jason Samuels Smith (performer, choreographer, director) has emerged as a multi-talented leader in the Art form of Tap. He won both an Emmy and American Choreography Award for “Outstanding Choreography” for the Opening number of the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon in a tribute to the late Gregory Hines. Mr. Samuels-Smith was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Los Angeles for creating the First Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2003; a Proclamation declaring April 23rd “Jason Samuels Day” from the City of Shreveport, Louisiana; the “Ivy of Education” from Brainerd Institute; and the “President Kenny Award” from Stony Brook. He was also the recipient of an Arts International Grant and an Alpert McDowell Fellowship Award and most recently received the 2007 Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award.
Tap Workshops Diane 'Lady Di' Walker
Tap Choreography Darrell Williams
"Hoofer" says it all. Darrell began his early training at the Hedgerow and Freedom Theaters. Trained by world legend tapper La Vaughn Robinson. At U of A he was cast in "A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Colored Museum" and "Streamers". His choreography was aired on "Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and "Showtime at the Apollo". In 2001 his choreography won "The 2001 America's Most Talented Kids" aired on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show. Darrell has performed live at the Phila Arts Bank, American Music Theater, Merriam Theater and Trump Plaza. His students have won awards nationally at "Tap Kids" and "Break the Floor".
Darrell has led SDA to receive high tap awards at New York City Dance Alliance and Rising Star Nationals placing 1st in the tap division for Jr's and Sr's. He has been on staff at SDA for 8yrs training dancers of all ages including his own daughter/protegee D'Andrea.
How to 'Challenge' Robert Burden TAP IMPR0VISATION -"Thinking On Your Feet" is perfect for developing steps for the Challenge later that evening . Setting the tempo, going with the flow with and without music. Accordingly, the stage will be set for Robert Burden, Director of Tap Team II, to flow everyone into the breakdown of 'How To Challenge'. Get Ready To BATTLE in a fun filled arena with others just like you!
The 'Challenge' is Calling you!! - Sign up today!!
Broadway Tap Karen Callaway Williams Broadway Tap is this lady's forte'! A Second Generation Silver Belle, can be seen in the current documentary BEEN RICH ALL MY LIFE, the story of the Silver Belles. Known for being the first female tap dancer in the international phenomenon RIVERDANCE-THE SHOW and then the only female tap dancer and dance captain in RIVERDANCE on Broadway, Karen currently tours nationally and internationally with the show. Karen will not only teach tap technique, but will adjacently teach related tap history
Student Class Corinne Karon "Every Dancer Should Know the Shim Sham Shimmey! " a LaVaughn Robinson quote. Corinne Karon teaches this National Anthem of Tap Dance created by Leonard Reed and enhanced with the Philly touch. There are so many versatile ways to do the Shim Sham. Philly Tap Challenge aims for everyone to know the Traditional and Philly Shim Sham. Come and Get your Shim Sham on! Then Dance it at the Evenings Performance! Corrine also includes many rhythmic themes throughout the hour.
Tap Workshop - Chloe Arnold (Dancer/Actress/Director/Choreographer) was recently featured in Beyonce’s music video “Upgrade You”, the new hit show Imagine Tap, Outkast’s new movie Idlewild, Sean Paul’s music video for the movie Step Up and at Sadlers Wells, London & City Center, NYC in Jason Samuels Smith’s ACGI. Currently co-director of the Los Angeles Tap Festival, Chloe was Associate Choreographer for ABC’s American Celebration, Debbie Allen’s Pearl in Los Angeles, and is choreographer for her group Syncopated Ladies.
Performance credits include Debbie Allen’s Brothers of the Knight, Soul Possesed, Sammy (the life and times of Sammy Davis Jr.), Savion Glover’s All Star Tap Revue, and The Oneness Awards honoring Michael Jackson.
Tap Workshops - Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards As a master instructor, Dormeshia has taught for years on the International Tap Festival circuit including the New York City Tap Festival, the Los Angeles Tap Festival, the Campinas Tap Festival in Brazil, Columbus Taps, and for K-Broadway in Tokyo, Japan. She has also participated in workshops for Dance Masters and for the school system including Wadleigh in NYC, in New Jersey and Long Island. Since January 2005, Dormeshia was elected to the Advisory Board as the Tap Advisor for Dance Magazine. She was also the official Tap Spokesperson for Capezio along with her family and featured in their international advertising campaign.
As co-founder/owner, The Harlem Tap Studio (www.harlemtap.com), Dormeshia offers special TapProgramming in New York City year round.
Hoofing Tim Yue
This must take Hoofer's class by Timothy Yue. Experience a master class in traditional Philadelphia low fast hoofing, created on the city’s streets in the 1930s. Generate music through the rhythms of your feet. This session will focus on Gregory Hines steps, including video clips from his films.
African Dance Stephanie Amma Young, a long standing member in the African Dance Community and instructor throughout the tri state area, is offering you the opportunity to feel the root of rhythms through West African Dance.
African Dance Vena Jefferson is an educator, dancer, choreographer, consultant, producer and writer who has been creating and implementing programs for artistic, educational and recreational organizations in the Tri-State area for the last 17 years. She is
committed to the preservation of African and African American art, history and culture and using these traditions and concepts as vehicles for social change to build positive self-esteem, educational, economic and social growth in the African American Community with special emphasis on underserved and at-risk children and their families. She has studied and worked on an international level in Africa, Europe and throughout the United States. In 2008, she travelled to Senegal on a two- month, self-developed research project funded in part by the Leeway Foundation to study alternative healing methods for women and children who have been sexually, physically and mentally abused. This was the first phase of a program that was developed to offer healing and to improve the quality of life for African American families by utilizing traditional African concepts in movement and music. In addition, she has led university-level study tours to Senegal and Gambia for Rutgers University- International Studies Department. She has received awards from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and The Leeway Foundation. As a graduate of Temple University with a B.A. in Journalism and concentrations in African-American Studies and Dance Education, Ms. Jefferson has been able to positively affect change in her community. In addition, she is an accomplished dancer, choreographer and adjunc instructor who has held teaching positions , conducted workshops and produced various works for University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University, Art Sanctuary, New Freedom Theater, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Community College of Philadelphia. Currently, Ms. Jefferson is the founder and director of the non-profit organization, Blue Noir Arts and Humanities (formerly Urban Africa Cultural Arts) and Founder/Lead Consultant of VCJ Consulting for the Arts and Community Non-Profits.
Lindy Hop Sarina Robinson-Richards, Director of 'The Jitterbug Kids'.
Lindy Hoppers celebrate!! Here is authentic styles and routine steps and vocabulary taught by Sarina Robinson!! You have got to take this class. So much fun, and don't forget to wear soft soles, sneakers or hard soles for this classic fleet footed dance style!
Clogging Peggy Leiby, Director of FiddleKicks
Learn the basics of Appalachian clogging, percussive dancing to old time music. A country cousin to tap dance, though rhythmically different, it is a uniquely American dance from that emerged from a melting pot of influences - Celtic, African and Cherokee. Instruction will include clogging steps that will be developed into a dance routine. Three good reasons to clog: you become the rhythm section on the dance floor, it’s great exercise, and you can't help but smile while dancing! Hard soled shoes that slide or low-heeled tap shoes are recommended
Peggy Leiby is a founding member and director of FiddleKicks, a dance troupe that performs Appalachian clogging and other styles of percussive dance. She has had extensive experience in the Philadelphia folk dance and music community as an events organizer and dance performer/choreographer in various forms of dance, and thrives in developing concepts for events and outreach programs. http://www.fiddlekicks.com/
