By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
The art form is sometimes referred to as “drumming with feet” and, for Kathleen Cirioli, professional tap dancer and studio owner, sharing that art form with others is a privilege.
She was able to do just that when “Kids on Tap,” the youth tap ensemble at the Kathleen Academy of Dance, on Route 206, performed in front of a sold-out crowd Dec. 14 at the Symphony Space theater in New York City. They were featured among a group of 10 soloists and four other ensembles as part of the second annual “Tappy Holidays” event.
”The students were excited and a little overwhelmed by the talent of the other groups performing,” said Ms. Cirioli, director of the academy. She noted that other ensembles came from across the United States, including California, Boston and Ohio.
The students were invited, for the second year in a row, to participate in the performance, which is produced by professional tap dancers, Ayodele Casel and Sarah Savelli.
Ms. Cirioli said the event features only tap dancers performing to holiday songs.
”The show is an alternative to the normal ballet and Nutcracker,” she said, explaining that her 15 dancers performed to the Christmas song, “Up on a Rooftop.” “It was quite an honor to be selected to perform.”
Kristen Iwanechko, 24, said she is glad to have returned to the “Kids on Tap” ensemble once she graduated from college and was thrilled to have the opportunity to perform in New York City.
”We put on a good show and it was a lot of fun,” said Ms. Iwanechko, of Ditmars Circle, who said she has been dancing since she was 7 and worked with the ensemble when it was first formed in 2000. “It was also exciting to see the other performers rehearsing. We were able to see different levels of tappers, and different styles.”
According to Ms. Cirioli, “Kids on Tap,” which is comprised of dancers ages 13 to 24, is no stranger to dancing for large crowds and in exclusive performances. She said they have been invited to the New York City Tap Festival, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and a tribute to Tony Award-winner Gregory Hines in Washington, D.C.
”They have experiences that will last a lifetime,” she said. “They get to talk with some of the best dancers and learn what it was like for them when they were first starting out.”
For Allie Singer, 20, meeting the professionals was one of the highlights of performing with the ensemble.
”We were onstage in New York City with professional tappers who we look up to,” she said. “I performed there last year too, but it was just as exciting this year. To share a stage with the professionals was just incredible.”
Ms. Iwanechko said that, although she did not get to perform in “Tappy Holidays” in 2006, she was glad to get a call from Ms. Cirioli to participate this year.
”It is always great to hear from her and to finally be able to perform there,” Ms. Iwanechko said. “It’s nice to be able to continue my danc ing and performing. It’s a great feel- ing to do what I love to do.”
Ms. Singer, of Odell Court, said she is happy to still be an alumni member of the group while she is a student at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. She said Ms. Cirioli contacts alumni students whenever there is an upcoming performance, and it was an honor to be included in the ensemble that she was first asked to join in 2004.
”Everyone looks up to the ensemble,” she said. “It is such an honor to be included and to learn the routines.”
The students in the academy range from those wanting to pursue dance as a career to those looking for a fun hobby, Ms Cirioli said. A recent graduate has just begun touring with Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out,” and another is a Rockette in Radio City Music Hall’s “Christmas Spectacular” show at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Still, she said, for those students who do not want to be professional dancers, she hopes they at least learn teamwork and discipline through an understanding of the hard work that is required to become a dancer.
”I hope I am instilling some common sense that they can use in life in general,” she said. “I try to teach responsibility that will carry through life no matter what field they choose.”
Some of this responsibility includes helping those less fortunate, as Ms. Cirioli has created a mitten tree for the past four years, in an effort to gather gloves, scarves and other items to donate to the Somerset County United Way for its “Wrapped in Love” program.
