Heartbeat of America, Creative Residencies, Program Page

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The Heartbeat of America

From Africa to New Orleans and Harlem, the American-born rhythms of tap and jazz have been spreading, spreading... and are now famous the world over. From slavery to vaudeville to the theater to the silver screen and now to the classroom, these rhythms are the true heartbeat of America. They make one move, conquer one's heart and have a long history of bringing genders, races and nationalities together. Nothing is more uplifting or more American than tap dance and jazz music!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The national tap dance company's "Heartbeat of America" Creative Residencies weave the creative process with educational materials that offer curriculum enhancement in such related disciplines as history, music, social studies, math or physical educational. Activities may include, but are not limited to assemblies, workshops, lecture demonstrations, video showings, classroom visits, and culmination performances. Workshops stress tap history and technique as well as concepts basic to musicians such as tempo, meter, and improvisation. Students learn to think not only as dancers, but as percussionists and teammates. They also learn to mimic with their feet and hands the rhythms they hear, leading to a better understanding of tap's stylistic evolution with different types of music, particularly jazz. NTE's "Heartbeat of America" Creative Residencies are designed in close collaboration with each school, starting in the early planning stages and are therefore always highly customized. Teamwork is also a very important part of the work with the children themselves. Depending on budget size and time constraints, the NTE artist(s) is in residence at the school anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Tapping, drumming, but also math, social studies,
music, teamwork, health and history are all
a part of NTE's school residencies

SHORT QUOTES

"Fantastic!"
Donna Edwards Henry, Classroom Teacher, Rockledge Elementary School, Bowie, MD
"Very professional, highly skilled, and very experienced at working with children in a performance/residency setting. They communicated very clearly their love of tap and the great respect they have for its creators. Their program was entertaining as well as educational, giving valuable historical and geographical information within the context of dance. The performers were quite adept at leading the students through the transitions in their program and keeping them physically and mentally involved. Their performance and residency were received with enthusiasm and interest on the part of students and teachers alike."
Kathy Hopkins, Music Specialist/Cultural Arts Committee member, Aversboro Elementary, Garner, NC
"... A wonderful experience for all of us. Both the students and teachers enjoyed the residency."
Jill Manning, Classroom Teacher, Rockledge Elementary School, Bowie, MD
"Thank you so much for your great performance and workshops. A definite YES! The kids [were shown as a part of the residency] "The Little Colonel" and I have seen them tap dancing up and down the bleachers on the softball field!.. Wonderful cultural arts experience."
Debbie Samad, Douglas Elementary, Raleigh, NC
"I loved this residency and wish we could have had the company for a longer period of time. Cassandra Baker was an effective, motivating teacher. She had great control over the students, engaged their interest, used humor in her presentation and is obviously a skilled artist. I'm voting to have her back again next year."
Kim Vassos, Teacher, Rockledge Elementary School, Bowie, MD
"In addition to instruction in tap, Cassandra Baker presented classroom lessons on the history and sociology of tap dance. Children learned tempo, meter, improvisation, and assorted related vocabulary... The residency was so successful that the children regretted seeing it come to an end After the show they crowded Cassandra asking a million questions, not wanting this invigorating experience to cease... In sum it was one of the most successful residencies we have experienced."
Carolyn Van Newkirk, Ed. D., Principal, Lower School, Beth Tfiloh School

Click here if you are interested in bringing this program to your school or community. You will be required to fill out a form that will provide the NTE Educational Programs Representative who is in charge of your region with the information needed to in turn give you confidential access to all relevant details: technical specifications (stage, equipment, etc.), fees, length, funding and discounts availability (with several options that may help your school reduce or eliminate program cost) audience size, touring and dates info, etc. You will then be able to make an informed decision on booking the program(s) of your choice if you so desire.

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