Andrew Nemr

Artist // Speaker

News

2019 Year in Review

By Andrew

A Visioning Session at VanTap Studios

Every year around this time I look back through my calendar to see what actually happened in the blur of activity that I usually find myself in. Most years are full and 2018 was no exception.

It began with receiving the Spirit of Windrider Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Being presented the award by my friend and mentor Mako Fujimura was a special moment.

My musical collaborations continued, with performances in Boise, ID as part of a residency at Surel’s Place, and in Miami, FL, as part of the classical musicians concert for YoungArts week MIAMI.

HollerJake also dropped their first album!!

The seeds were planted for some new projects with time well spent at Eric Berlow’s Swall Institute, and new projects came to life like this collaboration with fiddler Evie Andrus.

Teaching has always been an important part of my work and 2018 was packed with it. Worldwide festivals included Stockholm, Barcelona, and the inaugural Show Me Tap Fest in St. Louis, where the Tap Legacy Exhibit also was displayed.

I was excited to return to Betsy Daily School of the Performing Arts for a series of Studio Workshops, and continue my journey in the lindy hop world with stints at Stompology and Swing Out New Hampshire. Of course, the Tap Dance Freedom intensive ran in NYC, and was an absolute blast.

I was also invited back to the newly branded REFLECT Conference (previously the Creative Church Conference, Boise, ID), where this amazing collaborations with fine artist Amandalynn Lovewell and composer Justin Nielsen came to life.

But the biggest news came towards the end of the year. That’s when I sign up to become the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. I’ve since been spending the majority of my time in Vancouver, while continuing to travel to perform, speak, and teach.

And before the year was out, I landed back at Carnegie Hall with Keith and Kristyn Getty, and got to perform at the newly opened Birdland Theater with the Tony Award nominee Tony Yazbeck.

Indeed, 2018 was full, and 2019 looks to be shaping up to be as well. This journey has been a blast so far, I’m excited to see where it will lead. Wishing each of you the fullness that brings joy, growth, and peace in every day.

As always, read my daily notes here, check out all the news here, all the upcoming events on my calendar, and find me on facebook, twitter, or instagram.

Much Love,

A-

Today is #GivingTuesday

By Andrew

Every good endeavor needs the support of those to whom it speaks. We all have had the experience of a particular work resonating with us. During this season, when everyone is asking for support, we may be overwhelmed by the need we see.

Instead of asking for the support of a particular artistic endeavor this season, I’m listing three organizations that I am a part of, or believe in, and asking you to support them if their work resonates with you.

Check out the list below. It’s short 😉

Much Love,

A-

Do you believe in preserving our stories? In the midst of the digital revolution that we all are experiencing, there is a need for communities to capture and own their own stories. Once captured they must be preserved in a way that makes sense for each community’s context and made accessible in a way that ensures their value. The Tap Legacy Foundation is building a platform to empower communities to do just that. Check out this TEDTalk I gave on the ideas behind the work or visit the website to learn more.

How I’m involved: I co-founded this organization with Gregory Hines in 2002.

// DONATE NOW

Are you looking to support a Canadian organization? The Vancouver Tap Dance Society is a 22 year old organization that has been a steadfast member of the Vancouver dance community and a major proponent of tap dance internationally. The organization continues to provide accessible tap dance education through a year round Academy, community outreach programs, and an International Tap Dance Festival. The Society is also home to the youth performance ensemble TapCo. To learn about all the programming, visit the website here.

How I’m involved: I was recently named the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society.

// DONATE NOW

Interested in solving homelessness? No problem. Miracle Messages is a wonderful organization founded by TED Resident Kevin Adler (check out his TEDtalk here) to help neighbors experiencing homelessness reunite with family. There is really nothing I can say to express how beautiful and needed this work is. See their work for yourself by visiting the website.

How I’m involved: Kevin and I were both TED Residents, and I’ve been a fan of his work since I first heard the story of Miracle Messages. I am not affiliated in any other way. I just believe in the work.

// DONATE NOW

Special Announcement!

By Andrew

Dear Friends,

Some of you may have already heard or seen this news, but I wanted to make sure that you also heard it directly from me.

On October 29th I will be starting an exciting new role as the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. In that role I will be responsible for all current programming (tap dance academy, youth performance ensemble, annual tap dance festival), and shaping the vision for the future of the organization.

Practically, this means that I will be relocating to the greater Vancouver area as my base, which I’m very excited about. Vancouver has a thriving arts and music/dance scene, and the landscape is beautiful. I will continue to travel throughout the year for performing, speaking, and teaching endeavors, and my commitments to the Tap Legacy Foundation, and artistic projects like Rising to the Tap, remain unchanged.

So there it is. A whole new adventure is on the horizon as I step into this new role.

I’ve deeply appreciated the opportunity to share my journey with you in the past, and look forward to continuing to share this new adventure.

Much love,

Andrew-

P.S. Here’s a link to some press about the announcement from Broadway World Vancouver!

New Live Performance Added

By Andrew

At this year’s Stompology I had the honor of presenting a new solo piece. All the Sounds is a piece of thematic improvisation that journeys the audience through a series of rhythms and traditional steps (including a quote from Gregory Hines), that have been foundational in my journey as a tap dancer.

The piece begins with an invitation to the audience to close their eyes. Then the dancing is heard. West African rhythms, swing, and funk, all intertwine as traditional tap dance steps from the Shim Sham, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde, and Savion Glover are reference and explored.

Check out the whole piece here.