We ran our first workshop with 5th - 8th graders at National Dance Institute in 2018, using material from Music From The Sole as the groundwork, and it was a totally inspiring success for everyone: The kids loved it. The staff invited us back for a longer workshop engagement, and we have since taught a number of workshops and classes, held lecture-demonstrations and series discussions, and set choreography at schools, colleges, universities and community programs across NYC and beyond. We are constantly bubbling with ideas to expand engagement and exchange through dance and music.
One realization we came to was that not every group of students has to be fluent in tap or even have access to a pair of tap shoes for the workshop to be a success. There are numerous traditions of “body percussion” from around the world. Leo has spent a lot of time studying and translating Brazilian rhythms, like samba, into body percussion, which is a really exciting opportunity to "bridge the gap”, so to speak, for schools without access to 30 pairs of tap shoes!
One of the main focuses of the workshop is driving home the point that, in the realm of percussive dance (like tap dance, body percussion, flamenco, etc…), the dancer is not just a mover but a musician. It’s really fun getting young dancers to think like musicians, and equally fun encouraging people who might not have thought of themselves as either, to realize that they are.
Get in touch to discuss engagement with your students/ community, whether a one-off or as part of a more in-depth curriculum that could involve several visits and a performance!
One realization we came to was that not every group of students has to be fluent in tap or even have access to a pair of tap shoes for the workshop to be a success. There are numerous traditions of “body percussion” from around the world. Leo has spent a lot of time studying and translating Brazilian rhythms, like samba, into body percussion, which is a really exciting opportunity to "bridge the gap”, so to speak, for schools without access to 30 pairs of tap shoes!
One of the main focuses of the workshop is driving home the point that, in the realm of percussive dance (like tap dance, body percussion, flamenco, etc…), the dancer is not just a mover but a musician. It’s really fun getting young dancers to think like musicians, and equally fun encouraging people who might not have thought of themselves as either, to realize that they are.
Get in touch to discuss engagement with your students/ community, whether a one-off or as part of a more in-depth curriculum that could involve several visits and a performance!
Post show q&a
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At least one performance per run is followed by a Q&A session with the Artistic Directors, and/ or with company artists. Q&A are usually guided by a moderator from the local dance/ music community, and give an opportunity to audience members to gain insights into our creative process, tap history and lineage, as well as the company’s and individual artists’ background.
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Panel discussions and lecture-demonstrations
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Discussions and lectures tailored to each community’s interests; past topics have included how we create works of tap dance as movement and music as a choreographer-composer partnership, and tap history and lineage throughout the African Diaspora from the US to Brazil. Often offered in partnership with a local college or school.
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Body percussion & rhythm workshops
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The backbone of our engagement activities, body percussion lowers the barrier for participation; all that is required from participants are comfortable clothes and shoes! No specific floor requirements. In these workshops, company artists start from basic of body percussion (stomps, snaps, claps, vocalizing) and build a short poly-rhythmic percussive piece, featuring Afro-Brazilian rhythmic patterns. Can be done with or without instrumental accompaniment by company artists.
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School and educational performances
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Either at the performance venue, or in-school. Adapted performances for young audiences that include added interactive elements breaking the work into shorter sections. Small-cast performances can also be brought to schools. Past events have included activities specifically tailored for neurodivergent audiences, visually impaired, and deaf audiences.
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Tap, body percussion, and percussive dance classes (all levels)
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Each of the company’s dancers is a world-renowned performer and educator; we partner with local dance studios to offer tap dance masterclasses, focusing on technique, musicianship, improvisation skills, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and company repertoire, as well as elements of tap history. Offered at all levels from beginners to professional; requires a sprung wood floor, and participants should bring tap shoes.
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Community jam sessions
Led by the Artistic Directors and company artists, we invite local dancers, musicians, and multi-form artists to join them for a jam session! This is an open-ended activity that aims to activate and engage the local artistic community. Members of the public are also welcome to attend as observers.