NYC - Christopher Erk engages with Flamenco at Alegrias

I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness the work that is being done at Alegrias on 14th Street in NYC. They were kind to have me get up at the end of the set to tap.

BroadwayWorld.com Press Release!

Here is the press release from BroadwayWorld.com announcing The Tap Factor - Sarasota. With the help and resources of the Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, Florida, The Tap Factor founder Christopher Erk was able to orchestrate a program that got Sarasota youth tap dancing out in the public and on a professional stage. By the end of the four meetings, the participants earned the opportunity to join the cast of Noah Racey's Pulse on stage immediately following one of their performances. It was a memorable experience for all!

http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwdance/article/Asolo-Rep-Sponsors-Tap-Factor-Community-Workshops-with-Christopher-Erk-20130605

Thank you Dayton!

Follow the link below to a wonderful piece from Dayton Most Metro that sums up the work of The Tap Factor and it's founder Christopher Erk in its flagship city of Dayton. 

Currently Christopher continues to center his eduction and work around the development of The Tap Factor and its initiative to education the world through tap dance education and performance opportunities. 

http://mostmetro.com/performing-arts-theater/move-on.html

The New School and The Tap Factor: Intro to Tap/Street Performance Workshop

Follow the blog link below.  It was written and posted by Emilie, a participant in The Tap Factor's Intro to Tap/Street Performance Workshop.  Students learned to improvise within a classroom setting, then put those skills to work immediately after in Washington Square Park with Colin "The Crazy Piano Guy" Huggins.  The entire process was documented as a project of the Media Design class at The New School in New York City.

Blog:
http://elkiaer.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/the-street-performer/

One of the projects from the Media Design class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbpM0yZD8os

The impact at the Brooklyn School of Languages: the Director of Studies feeds back

Brooklyn School of Languages (BSL) is interested in pursuing an innovative method of language teaching.  While most educational institutions have at least partially adopted communicative methods, BSL has entirely embraced this form of instruction.  We have also integrated Content-Based Learning (CBL) into our semi-intensive English language program.  The idea behind CBL is to focus on the materials presented and topics addressed as opposed to the technical aspects of language acquisition. The result is our cutting edge enrichment program, a series of afternoon classes structured around a specific topic which changes weekly. 

As a result of this vision, our English as a Second Language (ESL) students have toured gourmet kitchens with a chef, taken pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge with a professional photographer, and, most recently, learned about the fusion of sound and movement from a world-renowned tap dancer, Christopher Erk. 

In my role as Director of Studies here at BSL, I am in charge of developing the curriculum, and I take this very seriously.  Over the past six months the enrichment program has grown and flourished thanks to dedicated, talented teachers and enthusiastic students eager to increase their knowledge of unfamiliar subjects.  When I created a class focusing on the world of New York theatre, I knew we needed to incorporate dance into the experience.  I immediately thought of my old high school classmate, a generous performer that I knew would use his energy and experience to connect with the students on many levels.

From the moment Chris arrived at the school he commanded the students’ attention.  Initially, he shared some personal experiences of his childhood, learning to dance, becoming great at it, and eventually leaving school to do it professionally.  His passion for dance and performance was obvious, and his audience, ranging from 18 to 45 years old and speaking five different languages, sensed this immediately.  Chris spoke a lot about aspirations, his own as well as the language learners’, and regardless of English levels, everyone understood all that he said.

Eventually the group moved into a larger space and Christopher arranged them in a circle.  Then he put on his tap shoes.  Classrooms and offices emptied as the entire school tried to catch a glimpse.  After this demonstration, the students were ready to try it on their own.  No special equipment, or even rhythm, was necessary.  Chris urged each individual to explore his or her own expression through movement and sound.  Dance, for him, is a means of communication.  For a group of ESL learners living in New York City, this is very relevant.  

Afterwards, Chris brought the students back together and asked them to relive the experience.  None of them had ever tap-danced before.  One student referred to Chris’ tap shoes as “his instrument” and confessed he had no idea what tap-dancing was before the workshop.  Later, another student compared the different styles of tap Chris had demonstrated to different accents in language.  This was an extremely positive and eye-opening experience for our students.

Sincerely,

Dennis R. Chase

Director of Studies

Brooklyn School of Languages

http://www.brooklynschooloflanguages.com/