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KNOCK ON WOOD Studio News
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 Knock On Wood's Spring Session begins on March 31 and runs to June 7. It's not too late to register!
Remember Dance Is The Answer, a great week of free events, April 25 to May 4. Activities at Knock On Wood include Visitors' Week (April 28-May 3), and an Open House on May 4 from 2:00-4:00 pm, where you can attend a free
(fun!) tap improvisation class, Jammin' Without Jitters, open to all ages and skill levels.
"Dancin' Days" Summer Camps are also now open for registration. The camps will run July 21-25 and August 4-8; full-day sessions for ages 7-12, plus a half-day option for ages 4-6. These camps are expected to fill up.
Jump Rhythm Jazz Project will be at Knock On Wood in July for some very special activities this summer: a Teen Tap Intensive (July 14-18) and 2 Master Classes (July 19). These are fantasically exciting opportunities for kids (ages 11 & up) and adults. Check them out!
April showers bring... ATTENTION PLANT LOVERS!
The 12th Annual TWA, Inc. Plant Sale Fundraiser will take place on May 3. This is a very important fundraiser for the studio, and a perfect way to get all the annuals you will need this summer! The plants are exceptionally healthy, and always beautiful; a wide variety of annuals in flats, pots, and hanging planters will be available.
Download an order form or pick one up at KOW. After you've placed your own order, please help out by encouraging your friends, family and neighbors to shop "The TWA Way."
Plant pick-up is May 3 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. (Special arrangements may also be possible.) Some extra plants will be available, but pre-order to be sure to get the plants and colors you love best.
Thanks in advance for participating in this win/win project - while you beautify your garden, you're helping us out, too.
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| TAPPERS WITH ATTITUDE News |
To learn more about TWA's recent trip to Beijing, get the April issue of Dance Spirit Magazine.
TWA has lots of great shows coming up! Check out our website for more info on these performances.
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
With B-CC Jazz Combo
(April 26)
Link to B-CC tickets
- Library of Congress (May 23)
Free, but advance tickets required
through Ticketmaster, available
April 9 (small service fee) Photo by Enoch Chan
- Atlas Theatre (May 31-June 1)
With special guest: 3jazz trio
Tickets available online
- Wolf Trap Theatre-in-the-Woods (June 24-28)
Link to Wolf Trap tickets
- Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage (June 26)
Free
- Smithsonian's Discovery Theatre (July 2 & 3)
Link to Discovery Theatre tickets
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PROGRAM BOOK: It's That Time Again!
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 April brings more than showers, it also brings the kick-off for the annual TWA, Inc. Program Book! This is the organization's single biggest fundraiser and usually raises over $5,000 each year. That income is critical to us, to help us get through the lean summer months. We count on you to support our dancers and our organization; whether you purchase a business-card sized spot, or a full page - this is a fun way to participate!
The program book will be handed out at TWA's year-end shows at the Atlas Theater and at the KOW Student Showcase at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. TWA & KOW families, friends, and fans can recognize their instructors, individual dancers or the entire company by purchasing a uniquely designed "shout-out."
Your local businesses can also show their support by purchasing a sponsorship in the book. Your message of support will be seen by over 1,000 people!
Details and order forms are available on our website and at the KOW front desk. Please accept our thanks in advance for participating in this crucial fundraising effort, while at the same time, acknowledging the successes of our dancers and organization.
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KINDRA J. INGRAM, DC - TAP ENRICHMENT SCHOLARSHIP
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Kindra J. Ingram, DC is a former member of Tappers with Attitude. She is a proponent of this art form and believes that dancing in a group setting has enriched her skills in teamwork and building strong supportive relationships. Dr. Ingram believes in the impact of TWA and still maintains relationships with former members. She has always sought ways to "give back" to her community; she taught tap while in college and continues to teach at Knock On Wood, when her schedule allows. In this spirit of giving, Dr. Ingram is now providing a 1-year KOW scholarshop to a hard working KOW student who wants to excel in the art of tap dance.
We are pleased to announce the Kindra J. Ingram, DC - Tap Enrichment Scholarship. For complete details, see our website or stop at the front desk for application packet. The application deadline is April 30, for the scholarship year September 2008 - June 2009.
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TWA ALUMS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Kindra Ingram
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 Dr. Kindra J. Ingram is a native of the Silver Spring area. She began formal tap dance and ballet training at the age of 3 and has never looked back. She joined TWA in 1992, after a tap dance residency with Savion Glover, and at age 15 became one of Knock On Wood's youngest instructors. After graduating from Selman College, she graduated cum laude as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Ingram moved back to Silver Spring to open her practice, and still sometimes teaches at KOW when she can fit us into her busy schedule. Read more about Dr. Ingram on our website, and learn about her professional life by visiting Align Spine Health Center.
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KNOCK ON WOOD Welcomes COURTENAY SWINTON
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 Do you remember that job we posted in last month's newsletter, for a capable administrative assistant? Well, she found us! We are ever so pleased to welcome Courtenay Swinton to our staff.
Ms. Courtenay began her tap training at New York's Steps on Broadway, studying under her mentor, Charles Goddertz. He engaged her to assist and lead classes at Tap City as well as at Steps On Broadway. According to Mr. Goddertz, "Her love for tap dancing is apparent by her infectious smile and spirit." Ms. Courtenay recently relocated to Maryland and, in search of a new tap home, was referred to Ms. Yvonne and Knock On Wood by Mr. Goddertz. Shortly thereafter, she joined the family as a part of the Knock On Wood staff.
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GETTING TO KNOW OUR FACULTY: Meet Leanne Regan
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 Leanne Regan grew up in Wilkes-Barre, PA and started dancing at the age of 3 at the David Blight School of Dance. She studied tap and a variety of other forms of dance, including taking ballet from Russian ballet masters. Leanne graduated magna cum laude with her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with minors in business administration and management. She is on staff at Dance Place as Production Manager and has taught at multiple DC public charters schools, Olney Ballet Center, Maryland Youth Ballet, Joy of Motion Dance Center and the Metropolitan Ballet Academy. Leanne is currently teaching tap and jazz at Knock On Wood and at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington's Dance Department.
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CLICK 'N CLACK, the TAP-IT SISTERS - Trivia Corner
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 Our One and Only...
This tap legend, born on April 2, 1911, had some of the "sweetest" feet ever known. After honing his tap skills on the street corners of Philly, he went to New York. As a member of "The Three Millers," he performed wings and other flash steps atop 6-foot high pedestals. He was tall, slender, handsome - and perhaps the most graceful tap dancer on earth!
His career took him everywhere, as a soloist and then with his longtime partner, Cholly Atkins (who went on to choreograph for all the famous Motown groups). They set the standards for "a class act," appearing in meticulously tailored suits, and dancing their classic "Taking a Chance on Love" to an excruciatingly slow tempo...while executing every slide and nuance with impeccable timing.
He was a member of the renowned Copasetics, a mentor and partner to brilliant tap artist Brenda Bufalino, and when he won his Tony award for "My One and Only," Newsweek called him "Brilliant!" adding that his feet had "the delicacy and power of a master pianist's hands."
QUESTION: Who was this elegant, classy, dancer about whom Lena Horne said, "He was my Fred Astaire?"
LAST MONTH'S QUESTION: Can you name the gentle giant who died in 1997? Chuck Green.
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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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