Biography & Class Description

Janine Molinari choreographs, directs, and teaches classes throughout the U.S.A. and Asia, including the International Dance Festival in Taipei.  She is a guest teacher for Backstage Broadway, teaching original choreography from classical Broadway musicals to young actors, singers and dancers visiting N.Y.C.  She is the artistic director and co-choreographer of the  tap company, Rain on the Roof and Broadway’s Little Soles, a junior company made up of Broadway professionals under the age of 18.  Directing and choreography credits include NBC’s Challenge America, Paramount’s Celebrities for P.E.T.A., 70’s Dance Party, TV’s The Fantastikids, Sandcastle Film’s The New Kid, music videos, off-Broadway’s Tanya, the Rock Opera, Fiddler-sub-terrain at La Mama ETC, Blessings in Disguise, A Few Blocks From Broadway, Tap Rules, and TV’s The New Yorkers.  Her students have been seen on TV in Lazy Town, Desperate House Wives, Law and Order, The Sopranos, the Shirley Temple Story, Hide and Seek, and on Broadway in The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Gypsy, The Boy From Oz, Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, Annie and Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.  Also a performer, Janine appears in New York’s longest running comedy, Tony N’Tina’s Wedding, which she also directs throughout the U.S. and Canada.  She is a member of Actor Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Film, Television and Radio Artists, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and National Dance Association  A graduate of Wagner College, and holds a Certificate in Music and Dance Therapy from Glassboro School of the Arts.

Tap

This class starts with a warm-up of isolations from head to toe, placing special focus on hips, knees, ankles and feet. The distinction between rhythm, tempo and timing is addressed. In addition, the basic principles are noted since they contribute to balance control and flow of movement. The routine consists of eight specific steps or combinations which students are challenged to repeat, reverse, shade and modify to gain a full understanding of tap technique.