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KNOCK ON WOOD Studio News
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 Master Classes with Barbara Duffy
March 14 & 16
Barbara Duffy amazes audiences around the world with her "highly sophisticated approach to music and ... jazzy, expressionistic moves" (Chicago Sun Times). According to the late Gregory Hines, "Barbara Duffy is one of the most inventive tappers around..." She performs regularly as a featured soloist across the United States and overseas, has made numerous television appearances, and has taught at workshops and festivals in 15 countries. Come on out for a great master class experience with Barbara! And don't miss Open Mic Night on March 15, where Barbara will be our special guest.
Professional Tap Teachers' Seminar
Sunday, February 3
Join
Ms. Yvonne Edwards and special guest Brother Black for the third in our series of
Professional Tap Teachers' Seminars. Tap teachers have been coming
together to collaborate, network, create, and explore tap history and
teaching methods. These workshops have been fun and informative, a
great opportunity to learn from and share with your peers. Call Ms.
Yvonne for more info. |
TAPPERS WITH ATTITUDE News
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 We  Young Tappers!
AUDITIONS for Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble will be held Wednesday, April 9 at 6:00 pm. Please contact the studio for more information.
Sneak Peek at Future Performances:
- BlackRock Center for the Arts (March 8)
NEW! 2nd show added
BlackRock Box Office: 301-528-226
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (April 26)
- Library of Congress (May 23)
- Atlas Theatre (May 31-June 1)
- Wolf Trap Theatre-in-the-Woods (June 24-28)
- Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage (June 26)
- Smithsonian's Discovery Theatre (July 2 & 3)
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HEARTFELT THANKS from our BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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 February is a time for expressing warmth and affection so, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Tappers With Attitude, Inc., I'd like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the families and individuals who supported the organization during 2007. This includes Knock On Wood students, TWA Company members, and friends who have contributed so generously to TWA, Inc. via tax-deductible donations. Donor support is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission of spreading the joy and artistry of tap dancing to our students and the wider community (such as audiences in China!).
I am very pleased to announce that a special choreography fund has been established by the families of TWA alumni - these donations are earmarked to invite tap masters to set new choreography on TWA, to help keep the Company's repertoire fresh, vibrant, and relevant. As a result of these generous donations, "Carmen," a new piece by Ayodele Casel, will premiere in March 2008 at BlackRock Center for the Arts.
Of course, all donations warm our hearts and help keep the tappers of TWA and KOW in rhythm. You can warm our hearts anytime by using the "Donate" button in this email or on our webpage. It's easy, all donations are tax-deductible, and no donation you make will be appreciated more. To the many friends of TWA, Inc. - you rock!
Tim Daniel, President
TWA, Inc. Board of Directors
(Pictured above, L-R: Alison McNeil, Tim Daniel, Ruth Silverstein, Bob English, Kim Varner)
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JUMP RHYTHM JAZZ PROJECT Teen Tap Intensive - July 2008
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 We are thrilled to announce the first exciting JRJP intensive in the DC area! Experienced tappers ages 11 and up have the opportunity to spend a full week exploring the excitement of the Jump Rhythm technique. This intensive will take place July 14-18 and will be accompanied by other special activities such as master classes and screenings of an Emmy-winning documentary about JRJP.
Visit our website for more information about the schedule, fees, and other events. Don't miss the Early Bird discount!
JUMP RHYTHM JAZZ PROJECT is a company of rhythmically exuberant dancers that celebrates the timeless core of all jazz performance - dancing and singing in swinging, high-energy bursts of body rhythms to the beat-driven sounds of syncopated music. Since its founding by artistic director Billy Siegenfeld in 1990, the company has thrilled audiences and students nationally and internationally with its rich blend of percussive musicality and emotion-charged dance theatre. (Photo by William Frederking)
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GETTING TO KNOW OUR FACULTY: Meet James "Jazzy Jim" Hughes
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James Hughes has been an important part of the Knock On Wood family for several years, first as a student, then as a popular instructor.
James credits his development as a soloist, teacher, and choreographer to a wide array of professional tap artists including Yvonne Edwards, Dianne Walker, Barbara Duffy, Brenda Bufalino, Robert Reed, Lane Alexander, Maurice Hines, Buster Brown and Dr. Henry LeTang. After seeing James perform at a DC Tap Festival, the legendary Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates told him, "I like your dancing. You got good feet!"
"Jazzy Jim" performs at local venues, cabarets, local festivities, church and inspirational dance productions, open mic nights, and at National Tap Dance Day festivities. He also teaches at Christian Dance Academy.
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TWA ALUMS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Alison Friedman
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 Welcome to a new feature of Tidbits where each month we'll let you know what a former TWA member is up to in their adult life. We're excited to feature Alison Friedman in this inaugural edition; she lives and works in Beijing, so we had a great time renewing old ties on our trip there in December. To read Alison's letter, see photos, and learn more, go to the TWA Alumni page. You can also read more about Alison in an article from the China Daily.
Check back next month to hear more about LeeAnet Noble!
(Pictured L-R: Liza Mayman, Alison Friedman, Hannah Kenton, Lane Alexander, Maria Guerrero, Justin Allen)
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CLICK 'N CLACK, the TAP-IT SISTERS - Trivia Corner
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  Tap legend has it that young Texan Ann Miller (1923-2004) took up tap dance to help her rickets. She looked to Eleanor Powell for inspiration, and later became a glamorous star in MGM musicals such as Easter Parade, On the Town and Kiss Me, Kate. You can see some of her terrific routines on YouTube.
QUESTION: Ann Miller had a particular "claim to fame" as a tap dancer. What was her special tap skill? (Look for the answer in next newsletter.)
LAST MONTH'S QUESTION: "What was Bojangle's other best known amazing skill, and what world's record does he hold?" Bojangle's was renowned for his ability to run backward. He set a world's record of 8.2 seconds for the 75-yard backward dash!
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 Knock On Wood and Tappers With Attitude appreciate the work of
Dance/MetroDC in its efforts to unite and support the DC area's dance
community. Dance/MetroDC is the only comprehensive source for dance
performances, events, master classes, workshops, jobs, auditions and
more in the DC metro area. Check their website for more information or to subscribe to their newsletter.
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