RHAPSODY IN TAPS Community Programs

Founded in 1981, Rhapsody In Taps is a Los Angeles based touring company featuring dancers and musicians who perform exciting and innovative programs of tap dancing with jazz and world music. The modern dance background of Artistic Director Linda Sohl-Ellison is reflected in Rhapsody In Taps diverse repertoire, which acknowledges and pays tribute to the rich heritage of tap and boldly propels the art form into contemporary concert arenas. Rhapsody In Taps has performed in concert with Americas greatest solo tap legends, including Los Angeles tap master Eddie Brown, who performed with the company from 1985 to 1992. An artistic highlight for Rhapsody In Taps was the choreographic project with Gregory Hines during the creation of his 1990 work for the company, Toeing the 3rd and Fifth. Rhapsody In Taps has also had the distinction of working with an all-star jazz big band under the direction of Phil Wright and with the Louie Bellson Big Band. The companys performance history includes several television appearances, performing at Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, a New York debut at Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Festival, touring engagements throughout California, including the Stern Grove Summer Music Festival for an audience of 17,000 and Redlands Bowl for 6,000, annual seasons in Los Angeles and Orange counties and touring throughout the United States and Bali. During its history Rhapsody In Taps has produced numerous tap events of national and international significance in an effort to preserve and promote the unique American art form of tap dance. The company co-produced seven The Essence of Rhythm concerts featuring Americas tap legends and solo artists. In 1993, 1995 and 1997 Rhapsody In Taps produced the Southern California Tap Festival featuring an intensive program of tap/jazz classes, events and performances by renowned artists. Each year the company celebrates National Tap Dance Day by sponsoring 12 tap master classes taught by company members and guest teachers, and honoring a local tap dance master. Rhapsody In Taps worked with the Los Angeles Music Center to develop materials for public school teachers and students on rhythm, tap dance and RIT soloist Eddie Brown (Artsource, a Study Guide to the Performing Arts). Rhapsody In Taps childrens program at the Aratani Japan America Theatre began in 1991 with funding from Panasonic Corporation, the City of Los Angeles and the National Endowment for the Arts, and assisted by LAUSD Arts Education Branch. RITs childrens program and partnership with Kid Witness News was supported by Panasonic Corporation for twelve years and served 1,680 students each year. The program continues to be a valuable, inspirational and educational arts experience for 4th and 5th grade students, enjoyed by many thousands of students and teachers from LA Unified School District. In 1994 Rhapsody in Taps began offering a training and apprenticeship program. Dancers in the apprenticeship program study and rehearse with the company for two years and then may be hired as members of the company. Five of the seven current company dancers were apprentices in RITs apprenticeship program. Rhapsody In Taps dancers have training in modern dance, jazz and ballet, and in addition to their professional work as performers, they teach dance at various studios, colleges and universities in southern California. The training and performing experience of Rhapsody In Taps musicians includes studies in classical, pop and jazz music styles. Rhapsody In Taps 2013