RHAPSODY IN TAPS& Guests

Sunday, May 22, 2011 • Noon - 5:45pm

Center Stage Dance Academy, next to the clock tower
3418 N Los Coyotes Diagonal • Long Beach, CA 90808 • 562-497-1181

MASTER CLASS SCHEDULE - Mark and save this schedule

>>>>  12:00  (includes informal Showing 1:15-1:35 in Studio 1)

Ken Bell     Technique & Combination    Advanced  

Mindy Millard Copeland     Technique & Combination      Intermediate/Advanced

Denise Donovan     Technique & Combination     Adv. Beginning

Chloe Arnold     Technique & Combination   Intermediate

>>>>  1:40   (includes informal Showing 2:55-3:15 in Studio 1)

Miriam Nelson     Fast, low Footwork     Intermediate/Advanced 

Linda Sohl-Ellison     RIT Repertoire     Advanced 

Fred Strickler     Technique & Combination     Intermediate 

Gabe Copeland     Technique & Combination     Adv. Beginning 

 
>>>>  3:20   (includes informal Showing 4:35-4:55 in Studio 1)

Monti Ellison    Bucket Drumming     All Levels (Buckets and sticks provided)

Channing Cook Holmes     Technique & Combination      Intermediate/Advanced

Gregg Russell     Technique & Combination       Advanced

Christy Hernandez     Technique & Combination     Intermediate  

*At the end of each class all dancers will gather in studio #1 for an informal showing (20 minutes). Each class will share (perform) the material learned.

5:00-5:45 TALKIN’ TAPand a moment to Celebrate 30 Years with Rhapsody In Taps - Stick around for a brief discussion with RIT's NTD faculty; they will answer questions about their work in tap, discuss opportunities and projects.
Please submit your questions prior to the event to samkatz1@earthlink.net

All participants must be at least 12 years old. Please bring verification.

Chloe Arnold is a highly sought after performer and teacher for tap festivals in the US and
abroad. She has performed in film and TV and co-produced the annual LA Tap Festival
with Debbie Allen Dance Academy since 2004, and the DC Tap Festival with Maud Arnold.

Ken Bell, a solo tap performer since age 8, worked with Don Johnson Orchestra, in night
clubs, hotels, Disneyland, Academy Awards and Warner Brothers 50th Anniversary. Former
tap teacher at El Camino College, he currently lives and teaches tap in Las Vegas.

Channing Cook Holmes’ syncopated tap style, drumming, vocals and natural audience
appeal have taken him around the world. Featured with Jazz Tap Ensemble, Riverdance, in
Bojangles and Gangs of NY, Channing also produced the current hit show Got Rhythm!

Gabe Copeland, featured RIT member since 2003, has shared the stage with Dianne
Walker, Chester Whitmore and others. He choreographs and performs with Tap Overload,
toured China with Caution, Men At Work and performs in musical theater productions.

Denise Donovan co-directs the Riverside Community College Touring Ensemble and is
faculty at RCC and Village Dance Arts. She performs her choreography, Tap-n-Taiko, with
the Taiko Center of LA and performs tap duets with Fred Strickler.

Monti Ellison, world-renowned percussionist, composer, and member of Rhapsody In
Taps, has performed in Broadway shows, teaches drumming and African dance at Loyola
Marymount, OCC, Chapman and CSULB. Rest your tired feet and learn Bucket Drumming!

Christy Hernandez performed with Rhapsody In Taps, Sam Weber, Dianne Walker, was
the Director of Sound Effects, produced 5 N. California Tap Workshops, and teaches tap at
Coastline College and the Academy of Performing Arts at Huntington Beach H.S.

Mindy Millard Copeland, featured RIT dancer since 2000, is Artistic Director, choreographer
and performer with Tap Overload, toured China in Caution, Men At Work, danced
in Emmy winning film, Tap Heat and teaches tap at Irvine Valley and Saddleback Colleges.

Miriam Nelson tapped in films TV, nightclub acts and Academy Award shows. She worked
with Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and her husband, Gene Nelson (choreographer for Ann Miller and
Donald O’Connor). Her biography, My Life Dancing With the Stars, will be sold at the event ($25).

Gregg Russell, Emmy nominated choreographer, has directed TV commercials, worked
with Bette Midler, Gene Kelly, Nicholas Brothers, Cedric the Entertainer and his company,
Tap Sounds Underground. Featured on Live To Dance and cover of Dance Magazine.

Linda Sohl-Ellison, Artistic Director/Choreographer and soloist with Rhapsody in Taps since
1981, has toured, choreographed and taught tap worldwide. She is a Professor of Dance at
Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa for 32 years, teaching tap and other dance forms.

Fred Strickler, dancer and choreographer for film, television, musical theater and concert
stage, has toured internationally, and was an RIT soloist from 1992-2003. A former
Professor of Dance at UC Riverside for 40 years, Fred performs as a soloist and creates
original tap dances.