Jersey Tap Fest returns August 10-13

Jersey Tap Fest from Hillary-MarieIt was announced on National Tap Dance Day on May 25 that the Jersey Tap Fest would be returning for its eighth year this August.

 

On August 10-13, this expanding festival will present a full menu of nearly 60 beginner, intermediate and advanced classes in tap, improvisation, stepping, lindy hop, music theory and more. In offering optimal opportunities for students to interact with the faculty and their peers, registrants also participate in jam sessions with live accompaniment, share their own works in a student showcase and engage in tap talks with the festival’s esteemed faculty.

 

The festival is moving to the home of Nicole’s Broadway Dance Company this year, so all classes and activities will be held in East Hanover and Bloomfield, NJ.

 

“There is something really powerful about housing multiple generations in the same room during the festival,” said Hillary-Marie, director and founder of Jersey Tap Fest. “We’ve seen the festival grow— with international students joining us each year, to more students taking advantage of the varied levels, and the talent being pushed to the limits. As a tap dance artist, it’s gratifying to be able to support and bring together the tap community during this festival.”

 

Classes will be taught by a line-up of more than 16 internationally recognized teachers, including: Anthony Morigerato, Ayodele Casel, Lisa LaTouche, Ray Hesselink, Hillary-Marie, Karen Callaway Williams, Mark Orsborn, Justin Myles, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Jason Bernard , Charles Renato, Corey Hutchins, Jeff Foote, Asha Griffith, Kyle Wilder and Andrew Atkinson.

 

Bringing together students and faculty, the yearly TAP ‘N TIME showcase will conclude the festival on Saturday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. Attracting tap enthusiasts throughout the Northeast, the evening will feature live music, rhythmic dance and tap performances by Anthony Morigerato (So You Think You Can Dance choreographer), Ayodele Casel (Spoleto Festival choreographer), Justin Myles (STOMP performer), Mark Orsborn, Karen Callaway Williams (Riverdance performer) and more.

 

With a strong commitment to tap education and artistry, Jersey Tap Fest founder Hillary-Marie, was recently awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship Award from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for choreographic artistic quality. Additionally, Hillary-Marie will broaden her educational capacities this summer with the launch of iTapOnline, an online membership portal to virtual tutorials, feedback opportunities, and classes in technique, choreography, improvisation and musicality. She’s also the co-founder of the recently expanded and renovated Grooves Unlimited Dance Studio located in Livingston, NJ.

 

For more information on the festival, visit www.jerseytapfest.com. Dancers can interact with the festival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @jerseytapfest, and with hashtags #jerseytapfest and #JTF2017.

 

Watch a video of Anthony Morigerato and Ayodele Casel performing at last year’s festival:

 

 

Photo: Students performing at the 2015 Jersey Tap Fest. Photo by Darnell Gourdine.