Motor City Tap Festival to be Held in August

The Motor City Tap Festival has become one of the county's top Tap Festivals, now entering its ninth year August 10-13, 2016. Motor City Tap Fest was founded by Denise Caston to create a thriving tap dance community in Michigan. Now in its 9th year, Detroit is a top destination for tap dancers every summer. Motor City Tap Fest features four days of master classes with leading tap artists in the industry, the Motor City Soles all-star faculty show, young choreographers competition and tap jam.

Such notable tap dancers instructors to come are; Chloe Arnold a So You Think You Can Dance favorite, Gregg Russell, Emmy nominated choreographer and has worked with such stars as: Bette Midler, Gene Kelly, Michael Jackson, Gregory Hines, Native Israelis, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben plus so many instructors for the three days of master class instruction.

Michigan native Shelby Kaufman who has made television appearances tapping on both Sesame Street and The Steve Harvey Show and the Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Symphony Space, and Detroit Orchestra Hall, Kelsey Rose Young, an up-and-coming performer, teacher and choreographer and was a contestant on the FOX Network's So You Think You Can Dance and has worked with Jonas Brothers, Debbie Gibson, and Radio Disney. Motor City Tap Festival Director originally from Michigan who lives, New York, Denise Caston, spent years working as a Radio City Rockette in New York City and dancing around the country. Denise was awarded a prestigious MaTilDa Award from her alma mater, Oakland University, for Alumni Achievement in Dance. She also became certified by the American Ballet Theatre's ABT National Teacher Training Curriculum for Primary-Level 3.The Motor City Tap Fest came to Caston as she traveled the country. "My goal is to teach tap and educate people about the history of the dance."

The Motor City Tap Fest is taking place on the campus of Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan August 10-13. Participants come from all over the country to join in this celebration of clicking toes and digging heels. The Tap festival features four days of tap classes, scholarships are available for aspiring dancers, teachers, working professionals, and all-around tap enthusiasts.

New and exciting classes have been added this year, and instructors who haven't been to Detroit to teach in a while will be in town. The Motor City Tap Fest will have a scholarship program for partial and full scholarships for aspiring dancers, teachers, working professionals, and all-around tap enthusiasts who want to attend but could use some financial assistance. A young choreographer's competition will take place on Wednesday, August 10th, at 7pm. This is a competition with cash prizes for choreographers 25 and under. This is a chance for emerging choreographers to have their work seen by leading artists in the industry. The winning piece will be performed at Motor City Soles. Caston says of the Motor City Tap Festival, whatever your level is, from beginner to professional, there is a class for you. This year's Motor City Tap Fest Elite Crew, featuring the best up-and-coming young tap dancers will be handpicked through audition video submissions, to perform a piece choreographed by Gregg Russell.

Part of the Motor City Tap Fest, concert features the esteemed faculty or leading tap artists in the industry, with careers spanning Television, Broadway, Film, Emmy nominations, as well as the Radio City Rockettes, Motor City Soles promises to be an evening of fascinating rhythms and diverse styles. Fabulous guest performers and appearances. Motor City Soles at Orchestral Hall in Detroit is August 13 at 7:30 p.m. Motor City Soles promises to be an evening of fascinating rhythms and diverse styles.

Caston encourages anyone with an interest to come. "Over these past nine years people with curiosity have come in and put tap shoes on and found themselves in classes for the year. "Classes are available for all skill levels. Registration is open now. "There is a saying 'If you can walk, you can tap dance."

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