Seattle's Home for Rhythm Tap
Mission
The mission of NW Tap Connection is to train, inspire, and nurture young dancers towards artistic
excellence, to perform works by emerging and master choreographers, and to bring the art of
dance to multi-cultural and generational audiences thorough dance instruction, innovative
community partnerships, and participation in local festivals, cultural events, and arts in education
programs both locally and nationally.
The mission of NW Tap Connection is to train, inspire, and nurture young dancers towards artistic
excellence, to perform works by emerging and master choreographers, and to bring the art of
dance to multi-cultural and generational audiences thorough dance instruction, innovative
community partnerships, and participation in local festivals, cultural events, and arts in education
programs both locally and nationally.
About Us
Northwest Tap Connection is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in Rhythm Tap. The
studio's philosophy is that dance enriches the lives of the students, while developing
self-discipline, instilling self-confidence, and encouraging achievement and goal-setting.
Louisiana native and tap dance historian Melba Ayco serves as Program and Artistic Director,
striving to incorporate the mood of her "Down South" roots into the choreography performed by
the Company.
At Northwest Tap Connection, rhythm tap is the dance form at our heart. At the same time, we
regularly incorporate a variety of dance styles such as African, jazz, modern, ballet, swing,
ballroom, and hip-hop into our curriculum and performances.
Northwest Tap Connection is dedicated to building the whole dancer through a love of dance,
personal discipline, respect for the community, respect for fellow dancers, and knowledge of the
history of the art form. We provide an environment where dancers can grow artistically and
technically, and at the same time can develop leadership skills and social responsibility.
Our intermediate and advanced students are encouraged to participate in an annual tap festival to
broaden awareness of tap, improve skills, build self-esteem, and connect with the larger dance
community. Recent travel has included Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Los
Angeles and Washington D.C.
Some of our senior students have danced with tap legends such as the late Gregory Hines, the
late Nicholas Brothers, the late Buster Brown, Savion Glover, Jeni LeGon and Jimmy Slyde. Their
repertoire includes choreography by nationally acclaimed artists such as Diane Walker, Lane
Alexander and Chester Whitmore.
Northwest Tap Connection is home of the outstanding group Tapoholiks, winner of the
2004 Seattle Apollo Star Search.
Northwest Tap Connection is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in Rhythm Tap. The
studio's philosophy is that dance enriches the lives of the students, while developing
self-discipline, instilling self-confidence, and encouraging achievement and goal-setting.
Louisiana native and tap dance historian Melba Ayco serves as Program and Artistic Director,
striving to incorporate the mood of her "Down South" roots into the choreography performed by
the Company.
At Northwest Tap Connection, rhythm tap is the dance form at our heart. At the same time, we
regularly incorporate a variety of dance styles such as African, jazz, modern, ballet, swing,
ballroom, and hip-hop into our curriculum and performances.
Northwest Tap Connection is dedicated to building the whole dancer through a love of dance,
personal discipline, respect for the community, respect for fellow dancers, and knowledge of the
history of the art form. We provide an environment where dancers can grow artistically and
technically, and at the same time can develop leadership skills and social responsibility.
Our intermediate and advanced students are encouraged to participate in an annual tap festival to
broaden awareness of tap, improve skills, build self-esteem, and connect with the larger dance
community. Recent travel has included Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Los
Angeles and Washington D.C.
Some of our senior students have danced with tap legends such as the late Gregory Hines, the
late Nicholas Brothers, the late Buster Brown, Savion Glover, Jeni LeGon and Jimmy Slyde. Their
repertoire includes choreography by nationally acclaimed artists such as Diane Walker, Lane
Alexander and Chester Whitmore.
Northwest Tap Connection is home of the outstanding group Tapoholiks, winner of the
2004 Seattle Apollo Star Search.
| Copyright Northwest Tap Connection 2008. All rights reserved. |
| 8732 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, Washington 98118 / 206.915.1364 / nwtapc@yahoo.com |
| Northwest Tap Connection has been awarded a City of Seattle 2009 Mayor's Arts Award The Mayor's Arts Awards recognize the contributions made by artists, arts and cultural organizations, and community members who make a difference through arts and cultural activities. To reflect the diversity of artistic achievement throughout the city, the awards do not have set categories. Other awardees include Artist Trust, Jesse Higman, Speight Jenkins (Seattle Opera general director), and Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras. |
