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Teacher Bio
Doug Shankman serves as the Artistic Director of Contemporary Dance Arts, where he brings his expertise as an award-winning choreographer, project manager, and director to the forefront of contemporary performance. His innovative work spans theatrical events, television, film, digital collaborations, and streaming platforms. A passionate tap dance teacher and artist, Doug continuously explores new methods to create sound, rhythm, and musicality....Read more
Doug Shankman serves as the Artistic Director of Contemporary Dance Arts, where he brings his expertise as an award-winning choreographer, project manager, and director to the forefront of contemporary performance. His innovative work spans theatrical events, television, film, digital collaborations, and streaming platforms. A passionate tap dance teacher and artist, Doug continuously explores new methods to create sound, rhythm, and musicality. His classes focus on honing technical skills, enhancing speed, clarity, musicality, and tone, all while emphasizing performance, style, proper execution, alignment, and breath. Above all, Doug aims to make each class an enjoyable journey into tap dancing. Bring your sense of humor and remember Dr. Jimmy Slyde’s words: “It’s all for love".
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Class Descriptions
Doug believes that the tap artist is both a dancer and musician. Classes are fun, energized, and challenging. Classes will build a strong technique in the fundamental principles of tap dancing.
Practicing rudiments in the center, across the floor, and turning. We will explore rhythmic patterns in quarter notes, eighth notes, swing, bass, bebop, syncopation, sixteenth notes and rolling sounds both evenly and accented.
As a former drummer, Doug gives an insight to the drum rudiments found in tap dancing and gives the student the necessary skills to build a “strong pocket”. In tap dancing, timing is everything.
Stressing the importance of tap as a performing art, we will work on combinations that will challenge the student to ask not only how, but the who, what, where, why, and when questions. This will help to give the students the tools to create a three dimensional expression.
Doug's motto is: "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfection is a moment. Practice makes room for a lifetime of progress. Feel the magic!"