North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble

Service Description

Rhythm…funk…innovation…excitement: that’s the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE). One of the best youth tap ensembles in the world, NCYTE features approximately 35 dancers, ages 8 to 18, who hail from throughout North Carolina. These dancers tear up the floor with poise, passion and professionalism. NCYTE honors the traditions of this unique American form while infusing it with youthful energy, contemporary music, and innovative dances from some of the world’s most talented choreographers. Founded by JUBA award winning artistic director Gene Medler in 1983, NCYTE entertains audiences with cutting-edge contemporary choreography along with traditional rhythm tap. Assembly Performance: Shaping Sounds Shaping Sounds is an interactive program that emphasizes the history of tap dance- a uniquely American art form, which is rooted in black history. It offers an array of percussive dances, from traditional Irish step dancing and French Canadian waltz clog, to South African gumboot dancing and cutting edge contemporary tap. The dancers, ages 8-18, speak on the importance of each dance and how it contributed to what we know tap dance to be today. Audiences are encouraged to clap and dance along during the performance, which is then followed by a Q&A session led by the dancers themselves. Grade Levels PK-12 Maximums Unlimited Students, 45-50 minutes; 3-4/day Technical Requirements We are able to bring our own floor and sound system if needed Total Fee 1 performance - $1,000-$1,500 / 2 performances $1,500-$2,000 Workshop: Learn the Basics with NCYTE This program is a "tap class" for students. We recommend that it be accompanied by our program, Shaping Sounds, so that students have the opportunity to see what tap dance looks like before trying it for themselves. Students can use tennis shoes to do this. This 30 minute class introduces students to the basics of tap dance. It can be used for any age group, pre-k to grade 12, and is designed to best fit the students' needs. The most basic class introduces students to rhythm and general movement, while the more advanced classes teach students specific tap steps and techniques. Grade Levels PK-12 Maximums 30-40 Students, 30 minutes; 3-4/day Technical Requirements We are able to bring our own floor and sound system if needed Total Fee 1 performance - $1,000 / 2 performances $1,500-$2,000 Website http://www.ncyte.org