Andrew Nemr

Artist // Speaker

Tap Into Freedom

Andrew Selected as Artist-In-Residence at Surel’s Place

By Andrew

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BOISE, ID – Andrew Nemr has been selected as an artist-in-residence at Surel’s Place, a unique artist residency in Boise, Idaho.

During his residency Andrew will be focusing on two new projects: a show and a book. The show, being co-developed with Flying Carpet Theater, will continue Andrew’s journey in exploring tap dance as a narrative tool in live theatre. The book, focused on tap dance education, will be the first written document based on the Tap Into Freedom curriculum and aim to offer tap dance educators with a comprehensive teaching methodology and toolkit. Additionally during his time in Boise, Andrew will collaborate with local organizations to spread his love for tap dancing through Meet the Artist events and workshops. He will also be continuing his Sunday afternoon gatherings around the Table.

Cornerstone events include a workshop and end-of-residency performance organized by Surel’s Place.

ABOUT ANDREW NEMR
Mentored by Gregory Hines, Andrew is considered one of the most diverse tap dance artists today. Whether playing with Grammy Award winning musicians across multiple genres, directing his tap dance company Cats Paying Dues, or leading the Tap Legacy™ Foundation, Inc. (which he co-founded with Hines), Andrew has a reputation for deep understanding, integrity, and sensitivity. “A masterly tapper” (New York Times), Nemr now uses the story of his journey and the craft of tap dance to speak on ideas of identity, community, faith, and love, within the context of business and the performing arts.
www.andrewnemr.com

ABOUT SUREL’S PLACE
Surel’s Place, a non-profit artist-in-residence program, aims to support local, national, and international artists of many disciplines by offering them the time, space, and shelter necessary to focus on their work, which they will share with the public through free events including exhibits, classes, workshops, readings, lectures, and performances for people of all ages. Founded in 2012 by Surel’s younger daughter Rebecca Mitchell Kelada and Surel’s dear friend Karen Bubb, Boise’s city public arts manager, Surel’s Place aims to help artists focus on their art as a way to carry on Surel’s legacy in Boise’s vibrant arts community. Surel’s Place is funded through generous private donations and grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, among other organizations.
www.surelsplace.org

Jimmy Slyde’s Birthday.

By Andrew

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Photo Credit: Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos

Today is Jimmy Slyde’s birthday. Not a moment goes by when I am dancing when I don’t here is deep voice saying something in my head. It normally starts out saying “no” and slowly progresses to a “yeah, now that’s easy.”

Jimmy Slyde was instrumental in my growth as a tap dancer. He was the one hosting at La Cav the night I first got up to improvise in front of a public audience. He was the one who told me to “dance from your heart.” A moment so pivotal in my life it was the topic of my very first TED talk.  He was the one who established the standard of sonic integrity that my ears can still recognize. He was the one who told me that I was a thinking man, so I should keep thinking. He was the one who inspired the first direction of Cats Paying Dues to create 4:30min of red hot dancing (and 2min in reserve, just in case). It was his ideas of improvisation and motion that are cornerstones of my teaching theories and fundamental to the Tap Into Freedom curriculum.

And so it is appropriate that today we announced the Tap Into Freedom 2015 Schedule.

He would want us to keep learning, digging in, sifting out the truth from the rubble, and giving ourselves a solid laugh while we do it.

“You should laugh at yourself every now and then, ’cause you’re funny.” – Jimmy Slyde

Happy Birthday Slyde.

Lifetime Learners, a thank you.

By Andrew

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing the entirety of my understanding of the art of tap dance with 12 amazing people. From as far away as London and Puerto Rico participants in the Tap Into Freedom Intensive came to study tap dance. What ended up happening was more than anyone could have ever expected.

Over the course of the week we talked about the purpose of art, the power of story, the nature of music, and the value of history. We danced through the exercises I used (and still do) when I was cutting my teeth, and shared ways of asking questions and discovering new content – so that we might continue to teach ourselves. We shared stories of the old cats, watched video, and tried our hand at some of their steps. We all shared in the generosity of guests Nathan Bugh, Shane Shanahan, Peter Aguero, George Nierenberg, and Penelope Wendtlandt. We experienced the grit of New York City (at the studio in Joria Productions), the nerves that come with putting oneself out on the stage (at the Tap Jam at Small’s), and the wonders of the commercial stage (at STOMP).

The beauty of the week came when through the power of story we were reminded of why we do the things we do, our dreams, our inspirations, our purposes, and how we might affect others. We shared our hearts.

We entered the room 13 strangers and left friends, in the truest sense of the word.

I am ever grateful for the 12 who chose to share this special week with me, and look forward to the next one. 2015 dates will be announced soon at tapdancefreedom.com

Tap Into Freedom 2014 Summer Intensive

By Andrew

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As we enter into the 10th Season of Cats Paying Dues, tap dance education is always at the forefront of my mind. My company has been a workshop of sorts in the development of a curriculum of tap dance technique, general understanding, and artistic process as we trained dancers to be stage ready. That curriculum is now formalized and open for anyone in the Tap Into Freedom Summer Intensive – a 6 day, 50 hour program, featuring one of the most comprehensive tap dance training programs available to the public. Award winning guest instructors will supplement the primary training program.

Registration ends this Monday, so if you haven’t done so, VISIT THE WEBSITE and REGISTER TODAY.

A Weekend of Celebration – Tap Dance Day

By Andrew

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How do you celebrate such a special day as Tap Dance Day? You get all your friends together, you reminisce, you dance together, you learn some new things, you give a few scholarships away, you get an award, you hang out some more, and then you do something completely new. This upcoming weekend will be full of celebrations for me, and I am so grateful to be able to share such moments.

Getting all your friends together…

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On Saturday evening I will be receiving the Flo-Bert Award for Lifetime Achievement and Excellence in the Art of Tap Dance. There is no way that I would be able to accept such an honor without sharing the moment with those who’ve given so much to the crazy visions I’ve had over the years. On the boards, those people have been the members of Cats Paying Dues. So we’re planning a special something for the Tap Extravaganza. It’s been such a blast to reconnect with company members from as far back as 2005 (I can’t believe it’s almost been 10 years), and I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with them on Saturday night at the 25th celebration of National Tap Dance Day.

Learn some New Things…

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The Tap Legacy Foundation is launching a brand new website on the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day. TapDanceDay.org will feature the first full documentation of the establishment of National Tap Dance Day, and serve as a platform for the continued celebration of the art form on an annual basis. It’s been great to learn about where the idea for the legislation came from, who was involved, and even some precursors to the bill that no one knew about!! Read the full story when the site launches this Sunday May 25th.

Giving a few Scholarships away…

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The Tap Into Freedom Summer Intensive Social Media Scholarship winners (sponsored by SoDanca) will be announced on Sunday, May 25th, the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day!!! There’s time to get in on the Ruben Sanchez Dancewear Scholarship (for new customers only, purchase required) if you haven’t already. Otherwise note that early registration ends on May 26th!

I get an award…

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On Saturday night at 7:00pm at the Norman Thomas High School Auditorium, I will be one of four recipients of the Flo-Bert Award for Lifetime Achievement and Excellence in the Art of Tap Dance. I am humbled beyond belief to receive the same honor that had been bestowed on the men and women whom I’ve looked to for wisdom during the entirety of my journey as a tap dancer. What an honor. Come and join me at the Tap Extravaganza!!! (Tickets available at the door)

You hang out some more…

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During the 1989 PBS special, Tap Dance in America, Gregory Hines says that tap dancers don’t often get together, and so when we do we take the chance to hang out. So this Saturday night, we’re going to take the chance. After the Tap Extravaganza, I’m going to make my way to The Cutting Room (44 East 32nd Street, off Park Ave.) just to hang. This is the venue where I performed Andrew Nemr and Friends a few times last season. It has a great vibe, long bar, and lots of room for people to chill. Come by and hang!!!!

And now for Something Completely Different…sort of…

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On Sunday, the actual day, May 25th, Bill Robinson’s birthday and the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day, I’ll be doing something I’ve never done before. I’ll be giving a sermon at Graffiti Church. But like most of my public speaking, I’ll be tap dancing while doing it. My faith has been an integral part of my life, and I try not to hide it, but actually giving a sermon is definitely new territory for me. I’ll be speaking at 10AM and 6:30PM. If your curious or interested, come see and hear me do something new.

Tap Into Freedom Important Dates

By Andrew

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There are a couple of important dates coming up for the Tap Into Freedom Summer Intensive. If you haven’t checked it out already, visit the website for all the details. Below you’ll find a list of important dates that are coming up soon.

MAY 20th: Round 1 of the SoDanca Social Media Scholarships end. Haven’t uploaded your video? Don’t wait! Click here for details!

May 25th: Scholarship winners for both the SoDanca Social Media and Ruben Sanchez Dancewear Scholarships are awarded. This is also National Tap Dance Day.

May 26th: Early Registration for the Intensive closes at 11:30 PM.

June 30th: Online registration will close.

We’re looking forward to an amazing 6 days of immersive tap dance training, diving deep into the craftwork to get you from wherever you are to wherever you’re trying to be. Hoping you will join us!!!

Tap Into Freedom Webinars Now Once-a-month

By Andrew

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ANNOUNCMENT: After an amazing launch to the Tap Into Freedom Webinar series we’ve decided to settle into a schedule of one webinar per month. Giving two live webinars back-to-back on brand new material is quite daunting, and a little taxing on the schedule for those wanting to attend. So, on the last Monday of ever month we’ll be coming together online to go down the rabbit hole – always with a guide and with an eye towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

A QUICK THANK YOU: I have to say a quick thank you to everyone who’s joined in on the calls thus far. Hailing from as far as Singapore, and some listening in even while at work (don’t worry, your secret is safe with me 🙂 ) – your attentiveness, thoughtful questions, and positive feedback has all been a great encouragement as I continue to collect these thoughts and formulate content for this series. So, Thank You!!! And I look forward to hearing you on the next call!!

Speaking of the next call, that would be March 31: Disequilibration – A Teaching Method – as always, it’s FREE.

Two Great Partnerships for Tap Into Freedom [NYC]

By Andrew

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We’re so happy to announce some great partnerships for the inaugural year of the NYC Tap Into Freedom Intensive. First and foremost is our venue partner. When you plan on spending over 50hrs somewhere it should be a cool place with good people, and that is exactly what Joria Productions is. A venue that evokes the vibe of Fazil’s (a well known rehearsal hall in midtown Manhattan that hosted the likes of the Copasetics, Gregory Hines, and Baby Laurence), with amazing old wood floors, Joria will indeed provide an awesome home for the Intensive. I like Joria so much that we had my own TED-ED lesson filmed there.

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We’re also super excited to have Rubén Sánchez Dance Wear as a partner with Tap Into Freedom. Keep your eyes peeled for special offers from RSD regarding the Tap Into Freedom Intensive (think: scholarships). We’ll have more announcements, too (think: free shoes), but for right now, we’re happy to have Rubén Sánchez Dance Wear on our team!