Biography & Class Description

Derek Roland began his dance training at Clark Academy of Performing Arts in Rochester and Buffalo, where he took Master classes from such tap greats as Savion Glover, Ted Levy, and Van “The Man” Porter. He received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University, and his credits include National Tours of Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun), Showboat, Cinderella and Funny Girl, as well as the Italian Tour of West Side Story. Derek continues to study tap with teachers such as Barbara Duffy, Randy Skinner, Roxane Butterfly, Max Pollack and Jason Samuels Smith, and he regularly attends tap jams in NY. He has taught at Broadway Dance Center and Master Classes at Universities and Studio’s across the US. He is currently creating a tap show with Parallel Exit Physical Theatre Company in Manhattan called “Time Step,” and is on faculty at New Dance Group.

Theatre Tap

This class will begin with a warm-up emphasizing strength, clarity and control.
The warm-up will also incoporate progressively challenging exercises. The
combinations will focus on rhythm, syncopation and musicality. Students
will understand the relationship of dance and movement to music. You will learn
to dance IN the music!