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LEARNArt FormMaster Juba (ca. 1825–ca. 1852) was one of the only early black tapdancers to tour with a white minstrel group and one of the first toperform for white audiences. Master Juba offered a fast and technicallybrilliant dance style blending European and African dance forms.Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1878–1949) began dancing in minstrelshows and was one of the first African-American dancers to performwithout blackface. He adapted to the changing tastes of the era,moving on to vaudeville, Broadway, Hollywood Radio programs, andtelevision. Robinson’s most popular routine involved dancing up anddown a staircase with complex tap rhythms on each step.Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates (1907-98) continued to dance with afterlosing a leg in a cotton gin accident as a child. He danced invaudeville, on film, and was a frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show.Bates also frequently performed for others with physical disabilities.H I S T O R Y : TA P M A S T E R SThe Nicholas BrothersFayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000) Nicholas had a filmand television tap career spanning more than 70 years. Impressedby their choreography, George Balanchine invited them to appearin his Broadway production of Babes in Arms. Their unique style ofsuppleness, strength, and fearlessness led many to believe that theywere trained ballet dancers.Gregory Hines (1946-2003) introduced a higher complexity of theimprovisation of steps, sounds, rhythms. Hines’s dances wererhythmically involved and often strayed from traditional rhythmic meters.Savion Glover (b. 1973) is best known for starring in the Broadwayhit The Tap Dance Kid. Glover mixes classic moves like those of histeacher Gregory Hines with his own contemporary style. He has wonseveral Tony awards for his Broadway choreography.Jeni Le Gon (1916-2012) was one of the first black women to becomea tap soloist in the first half of the 20th century. She wore pants ratherthan skirts when she performed and, as a result, she developed anathletic, acrobatic style, employing mule kicks and flying splits, morein the manner of the male dancers of the time.BE PRESENT14

LEARNArt FormTA P D A N C E T E R M I N O L O G YTap dances are comprised of different combinations of basicmoves. Read about some of these building blocks and try them outfor yourself!Toe: Strike the floor with the toeHeel: Strike the floor with the heelHeel Toe: Strike the floor with the heel, immediately followed by astrike of the toeBrush: While standing on one leg, sweep the other leg across thefloor (known as a “spank” when the free leg sweeps backwards)Scuff: Similar to a brush, but hitting the floor with the heel instead ofsweeping the shoeShuffle: The combination of two brushesFlap heel: A brush with on to the heel at the end of the brush motionBall change: A transfer of weight from the front foot to the ball of theback footBE PRESENT15

LEARNPerformanceDORRANCE DANCE“To be able to be a dancer and a musician at thesame time, there’s nothing like it There’s somethingorganic in your biorhythms, your heartbeat. And tobe able to demonstrate that inside of a moving formis phenomenal.” — Michelle DorranceBE PRESENT16

LEARNPerformanceDORRANCE DANCEDorrance DanceMyelinationMichelle Dorrance, artistic director and choreographerFriday, February 21, 2020 // 11 amPower CenterFounded in 2011 by MacArthur “Genius” Award recipientMichelle Dorrance, who has appeared with STOMP, Savion Glover,Manhattan Tap, and others, Dorrance Dance honors tap dance’suniquely beautiful history in a new and dynamically compellingcontext, pushing it forward rhythmically, aesthetically, andconceptually. The New York Times called Dorrance “a brilliantconductor [who] pushes the boundaries of tap while exposing itstrue nature: that it is music.”BE PRESENT17

LEARNPerformanceONLINE: DORRANCE DANCEDorrance Dance will perform thepiece Myelination at the School DayPerformance. Watch this video tolearn more about Michelle Dorrance’screative process and the ideasbehind the piece.BE PRESENT18

ConnectBeing an Audience MemberArts OnlineRecommended ReadingWriting about Live PerformancesAbout UMS7 3 4 . 7 6 4 . 2 5 3 8 ——— U M S . O R GBE PRESENT19

CONNECTBeing an Audience Member No talking, unless audience participation is requested by the performers. Avoid fidgeting and moving around in your seat during the performance.Slumping sideways blocks the view for audience members behind you,and extra movements can be distracting to your neighbors. Do not take flash photography. The flash can be distracting to theperformers on stage. Turn off and put away cell phones and other electronic devices. If you need to cough during the performance, wait for the pausebetween movements of a piece or try to “bury” your cough in a loudpassage of music.AUDIENCE ETIQUET TE 101WHEN SHOULD I CLAP?The audience claps to welcome the performers as they come on stage.The audience also claps at the conclusion of each piece on theprogram, but not between movements of a single piece. This can betricky, because many musical works have several movements withpauses in between. A work’s movements will be listed in the program orannounced at the performance. Not sure when the piece is over? Watchthe conductor, who will lower their hands at the end of the piece.When in doubt, it’s always safe to wait and follow what the rest of theaudience does. If you need assistance, please speak to a UMS usher. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the performance!BE PRESENT20

CONNECTBeing an Audience MemberENGAGING WITH THE PERFORMANCEEncourage your students to engage with and reflect on the performanceby asking these questions:GLOSSARY: ELEMENTS OF PERFORMANCE How did the performance make you feel?Lighting – location of light, use of darkness, color, movement, light in theaudience What does this performance remind you of?Space – venue/building, stage, distance between objects How does this performance relate to where you live?Sound – sound created by voices or movements of performers andaudience members, the location of the sound (behind the stage oroffstage), use of musical instruments or recorded music During the performance, close your eyes and imagine a “mind movie”using the performance as a soundtrack. What did you see in your mind?Movement – movement of performers, images, objects, or audiencemembers; speed, size, or shape of movements Did the performance tell a specific story?People: What was the most memorable part of the performance for you? Do you have any questions about the performance? Dancers Actors Musicians Stage Crew Ushers Audience MembersBE PRESENT21

CONNECTConnecting to Other Art FormsIMAGEIMAGE essionNumber1943.100Dorrance Dance - MyelinationIn this woodcut, we seeyoung women and menpossibly dancing the jitterbug,a new dance at the time.Artist Elizabeth Olds workedduring the Great Depression;she was interested inhighlighting racial injustice,celebrating African Americans’cultural contributions, andexperimenting with artisticforms. We can imagine thatthe joy depicted in this printechoes the rhythm and energyin Myelination.TitleHarlem DancersArtist(s)Elizabeth OldsArtist NationalityAmerican (North American)Object Creation Date1939Medium & SupportWoodcut on paperDimensions10 1/16 in x 14 ⅛ in(25.56 cm x 35.88 cm)Founded in 2011 by MacArthur“Genius “Award recipientMichelle Dorrance, DorranceDance honors tap dance’suniquely beautiful historyin a new and dynamicallycompelling context, pushingit forward rhythmically,aesthetically, and conceptually.UMS is thrilled to be presentingDorrance Dance again onour School Day Performanceseries. Dorrance has appearedwith STOMP, Savion Glover,Manhattan Tap, and a host ofothers. Dorrance is “a brilliantconductor [who] pushesthe boundaries of tap whileexposing its true nature: that itis music.” (New York Times)Credit LineAllocated by theU.S. GovernmentCommissioned throughthe New Deal art projectsThe artwork was provided by the University Of Michigan Museum Of Art to connect to the 2019/20 UMS School Day Performance series. UMMA has a long tradition of service to K-12students and educators of Southeast Michigan. This work is currently on exhibition in the museum. For more information about the University of Michigan Museum of Art and theirprograms for youth, teens, teachers and schools, visit the UMMA website.BE PRESENT22

CONNECTArts Online: Explore and DiscoverSITES WE SUGGESTUMSums.orgNEW YORK PHILHARMONICnyphil.orgMICHIGAN RADIOmichiganradio.orgUMMAumma.umich.eduAMERICAN THEATREamericantheatre.orgPBS: PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICEpbs.orgTHE KENNEDY CENTER, NEW YORK TIMESnytimes.comANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARYaadl.orgNPR: NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIOnpr.org2019-20 SCHOOL DAY PERFORMANCES: ARTIST WEBSITESISANGO ENSEMBLEisangoensemble.co.za/THE BELIEVERS ARE BUT BROTHERSjavaadalipoor.co.uk/babbDORRANCE DANCEdorrancedance.com/CHINEKE! ORCHESTRAchineke.org/MARIACHI VARGAS DE chi-vargasde-tecalitlan/BE PRESENT23

CONNECTRecommended ReadingThe following listing of literature for teens and youth was developed by the Ann Arbor District Library to connect to the 2019/20 UMS School Day Performance Series.All titles are in circulation at the library. For more information about the Ann Arbor District Library and their programs for youth, teens, teachers and schools, visithttps://www.aadl.org.KIDSIsango Ensemble: The Magic FluteMariachi Vargas de TecalitlánThe Magic Flute, by Christopher RaschkaPicture bookThis illustrated book for children retells the story of the Mozart opera, in whichthe noble Prince Tamino seeks the fair Pamina against a backdrop of the battlebetween darkness and light.The Best Mariachi in the World, by J.D. SmithPicture bookEveryone in Gustavo’s family is in a mariachi band — everyone except Gustavo,that is. They all play violins, trompetas and guitarrones. They all make wonderfulmusic in restaurants and at wedding parties. Gustavo would love to join theband, but he can’t play any of the instruments. What’s a wannabe mariachi todo? Follow Gustavo as he finds his place in the family mariachi band.Baby Mozart: A Concert for Little EarsCDMozart’s The Magic Flute adapted for young listeners.Sing Me a Story: The Metropolitan Opera’s Book of Opera Stories for Children,by Jane RosenbergPicture bookAn illustrated retelling of the plots of 15 well-known operas, includingThe Magic Flute.S is for South Africa, by Beverly NaidooPicture BookThis photograph-filled book presents an A to Z look at some of the people,places, items, and customs of South Africa.Dorrance DanceTot Tap: A fun-filled introduction to the world of tap dance for kids.DVDLearn basic tap dance moves in this instructional DVD for kids.Tasha the Tap Dance Fairy, by Daisy MeadowsFiction bookPart of the popular Rainbow Magic series, in this installment tap dance is usedto help a fairy recover a missing item from an evil goblin.Rap A Tap Tap, by Leo and Diane DillonPicture bookIllustrations and rhyme describe the dancing of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, oneof the most famous tap dancers of all time.BE PRESENT24

CONNECTRecommended ReadingContinued.Chineke! OrchestraThe Walkabout Orchestra: Postcards from Around the World, by Chloé PerarnauPicture bookThe orchestra have an important concert to play but all of the musicians havegone walkabout! Help the maestro and his faithful assistant track them downusing clues from their postcards from all over the world. Learn about all of theinstruments in an orchestra as you find the musicians!Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, by Andrea Davis PinkneyBiographyThe Coretta Scott King Award-winning biography that recounts the career ofDuke Ellington, the jazz musician and composer who, along with his orchestra,created music that was beyond category.The Story of the Orchestra, by Robert LevineNonfiction bookThis book, accompanied by a CD, allows you to listen while you learn about theinstruments, music and composers who wrote the music in an orchestra.TEEN/ADULTIsango Ensemble: The Magic FluteThe Magic FluteDVDDirected by Ingmar Bergman, this Swedish film is a scintillating screen versionof Mozart’s beloved opera that showcases Bergman’s deep knowledge of musicand his gift for expressing it cinematically. This Criterion Collection film castssome of Europe’s finest soloists, and lovingly recreates the Baroque theaterof Sweden’s Drottningholm Palace to stage the story of the prince Tamino andhis zestful sidekick Papageno, who are sent on a mission to save a beautifulprincess from the clutches of evil.The Magic FluteCDThe London Philharmonic Orchestra plays Mozart’s opera.Sunlight & Shadow: A Retelling of The Magic Flute, by Cameron DokeyFiction bookA baby girl is born on the longest night of the darkest month of the year. Whenher father looks at her, all he sees is what he feared: by birth, by name, and bynature, she belongs to the Dark. So when Mina turns 16, her father takes heraway from shadow and brings her into sunlight. In retaliation, her mother lures ahandsome prince into a deadly agreement: If he frees Mina, he can claim her ashis bride. Now Mina and her prince must endure deadly trials — of love, fate, andfamily — before they can truly live happily ever after.BE PRESENT25

CONNECTRecommended ReadingContinued.The Operas of Mozart, by Robert GreenbergLecture DVDA discussion of Mozart’s most important operas, including a 45-minute lectureon The Magic Flute.THE BELIEVERS ARE BUT BROTHERSRadicalization: Why Some People Choose the Path of Violence,by Farhad KhosrokhavarNonfiction bookIn the wake of recent terrorist attacks, fears over ‘homegrown terrorism’have surfaced to a degree not seen since September 11, 2001. A soughtafter commentator in France and a widely respected international scholar ofradical Islam, Farhad Khosrokhavar has spent years studying the path towardsradicalization, focusing particularly on the key role of prisons.Two Sisters: A Father, His Daughters, and Their Journey into the Syrian Jihad,by Åsne SeierstadNonfiction bookA riveting story of two sisters’ journey to the Islamic State and the father who triesto bring them home. Åsne Seierstad puts the problem of radicalization into painfullyhuman terms, using instant messages and other primary sources to reconstruct afamily’s crisis from the inside. This is a relentless thriller and a feat of reporting withprofound lessons about belief, extremism, and the meaning of devotion.Hateland: A Long, Hard Look at America’s Extremist Heart, by Daryl JohnsonNonfiction bookAn in-depth analysis of the current threat from domestic terrorism and itsgrowing menace. Johnson throws a stark light on the darkest segments ofAmerican society and offers suggestions for dealing with their violent threats.Alt-Right: From 4chan to the White House, by Mike WendlingNonfiction bookMedia accounts to the contrary, the alt-right didn’t just burst out of nowherein 2016. They have been building their network quietly for years, using onlinebulletin boards and social media to spread a toxic hybrid of technologicalutopianism, reactionary philosophy, and racial hatred. Wendling traces the riseof the movement and the evolution of its ideas, and he introduces us to some ofits key figures.Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán100 Anos de MariachiCDMariachi music from the past century performed by various artists and groups.The Guilty, by Juan VilloroShort story collectionA brilliant prize-winning collection of stories that beautifully and hauntinglydescribes Mexican culture and ways of life, by Mexico’s most important living writer.BE PRESENT26

CONNECTRecommended ReadingContinued.Dorrance DanceChineke! OrchestraTap Dance History: From Vaudeville to FilmDVDThis film explores the history of tap dance from its beginnings to the modernday. Tap dance enthusiasts will especially enjoy the rare footage of tap dancingin films from the 1930s and 1940s.William Grant Still, by Catherine SmithBiographyWilliam Grant Still was dubbed “The Dean” of African-American composersand was the first African American to conduct a major American symphonyorchestra. He composed more than 150 works during his lifetime, including fivesymphonies and eight operas.What the Eye Hears: A History of Tap Dancing, by Brian SeibertNonfiction bookTap is both dancing to music and dancing as music. We don’t just watch it;we hear its rhythms and feel them in our muscles and bones. Like jazz, tapwas born in the United States. It’s a hybrid of jig and clog dancing from theBritish Isles and traditional folk dances brought from Africa by slaves. BrianSeibert’s history illuminates tap’s complex origins. He charts tap’s growth inthe vaudeville circuits and nightclubs of the early 20th century, chronicles itsspread to ubiquity on Broadway and in Hollywood, analyzes its post-World WarII decline, and celebrates its reinvention by new generations of American andinternational performers.Ellington & the Modern Masters: Music of African-American ComposersCDViolin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th & 19th CenturiesCDI Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters on Their Craft, by LaShonda BarnettNonfiction bookA collection of interviews Barnett conducted with Black female songwritersand composers, discussing their processes for songwriting, composing, andperforming.BE PRESENT27

CONNECTWriting About Live Performance With Your StudentsA LET TER TO PERFORMERSGrade Level: Elementary School Students (K-5)Students will compose a personal letter to a performer from theSchool Day Performance. The student will write about their feelings,observations, and questions from the performance. With a teacher’sassistance, students may send these letters to the performers.Once the performance is done, have students write down their notes,observations, and reflections. They will use these notes to help themwrite their letters.AFTER THE PERFORMANCEInstruct students to write a letter to the performers. In completing thisexercise, students should:BEFORE THE PERFORMANCEDiscuss the following with your students:1. Live Performances2. The Art Form3. The Artist4. Origin of the Art Form or Artist Use standard letter-writing conventions (“Dear ,” “Sincerely,”) Mention when and where the performance took place Use the notes they took to share their experiences, observations, andquestions with the performersDURING THE PERFORMANCETo help students organize their thoughts during the performance,encourage them to consider the following:I Notice.I Feel.I Wonder.BE PRESENT28

CONNECTWriting About Live Performance With Your StudentsTWO THUMBS UP: WRITING A PERFORMANCE REVIEWAFTER THE PERFORMANCEGrade Level: Middle and High School Students (6-12)Instruct students to compare their pre-performance notes to th

Dorrance Dance is an award-winning tap dance company based out of New York City. The company’s work aims to honor tap dance’s uniquely beautiful history in a new, dynamic, and compelling context; not by stripping the form of its tradition, but by pushing it