Jersey Tap Fest Comes of Age
August 20, 2013

Hillary-Marie Michael teaching at the 2011 Jersey Tap Fest

On Thursday, tappers from the tri-state area and beyond will converge on Bloomfield, New Jersey, for the fourth annual Jersey Tap Fest. Director Hillary-Marie Michael founded the festival when she was only 19 with the plan to bolster her native state’s credibility in the dance world. A principal dancer with the New Jersey Tap Ensemble and a frequent performer at festivals across the country, Michael has recruited faculty that includes Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Karen Callaway Williams and Jason Janas for this year’s four-day event (August 22–25).

The schedule offers classes in all levels of technique, as well as music theory, improvisation and tap history. Participants can check out an evening jam session, watch a student showcase and schmooze with the stars at a lunchtime meet-and-greet with faculty. On Saturday night, faculty members and other performers will show their chops, accompanied by a live band, in a main stage performance, TAP ‘N TIME, at Bloomfield College Westminster Arts Center.

Discounts of up to 50 percent are available for teachers bringing students to the event. Visit jerseytapfest.com for more information.

Photo: Jersey Tap Fest

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