Charles “Honi” Coles was an American rhythm tap dancer known for his speed and sophisticated style. He was a founding member of the Copasetics, as well as one-half of the popular vaudeville duo “Coles & Atkins,” whose song-and-dance routines epitomized the vaudeville class act—routines that countered blackface stereotypes. Coles’ later collaborative work with tap dancer […]
Legendary tap dancer, choreographer, author and master teacher Brenda Bufalino has been dancing for 80 years—and she’s still teaching! Not only that, but she continues to find new ways to inspire and guide her dancers to achieve unique style and dynamic sound in their own tap dancing. Bufalino founded and was the choreographer for the […]
Tomorrow night at 7 pm, the American Tap Dance Foundation will host a special performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in honor of legendary jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington. The program, aptly titled “Tap Ellington,” will feature the Duke Ellington Center’s Big Band and tap stars like Tony Waag, Brenda Bufalino, Sam […]
When American Tap Dance Foundation artistic director Tony Waag was in college, he attended a tap workshop conducted by Brenda Bufalino. The two hit it off, and Bufalino became his mentor. From the get-go, Bufalino was supportive of Waag’s stylistic choices. “She always encouraged me to have my own voice. I came out of a […]
Tony Waag’s annual Tap City dance festival in New York City has a new program this year—Tap Treasures: a Tap Dance Storytelling Tour. Participants learn about the history and evolution of tap dance through a three-day tour of Manhattan locations where the best and brightest stars made their marks. Locations include the Apollo Theater in […]
Brenda Bufalino’s adult tap class at ATDF Instead of hibernating during these dark winter months, teachers and students can brush up on dance history at Tap Talks, the latest program from the American Tap Dance Foundation. Founded in 1986 by Charles “Honi” Coles, Brenda Bufalino and Tony Waag, ATDF is all about establishing tap’s place […]