OPAS Education & Outreach
Tip Tap Two
Beat & Rhythm: The Evolution of Tap
Greensboro Elementary School
Greensboro, GA
Thursday, February 25, 2010
In honor of Black History Month, the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS)
presented Tip Tap Two, Beat & Rhythm: The Evolution of Tap to the students at
Greensboro Elementary School on Thursday, February 25th in two back to back
programs. Terrence “Taps” Bennett and Tre McClendon make up this dynamic duo
from Atlanta. Terrence began tap dancing at the age of 19 and in just a few short
years began teaching classes to young dancers. Tre began dancing at the age of 2
at his parents’ dance school, McClendon School of Dance. Because of their
backgrounds they were able to impress upon the students that it is never too late
to learn something new and with hard work you can achieve whatever you put your
mind to.
In their high-energy, fast paced show, Tip Tap Two took
students on a journey through the history of Tap, a
uniquely American art form, starting with its origins
in Little Five Points, New York in the 19th century with the blending of both traditional Irish and African
forms of dance. Next they introducedstudents to the great pioneers of tap; beginning the Mr.
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Terrence demonstrated his unique style of tapping primarily on his toes. Tre
then showed students the next transition in tap, led by John Bubbles who
dropped his heels on the offbeat and accented rhythms with his toes.
As Jazz music evolved, Tap too developed into a more improvisational style. One of the great
leaders in this new form of tap was Baby Laurence. Terrence and Tre then moved on to the
contemporary masters of Tap. The unique style of
the late Gregory Hines was demonstrated by the duo in a wonderful performance
inspired by the street dance Mr. Hines performed in the movie Tap. Savion
Glover’s style performed by Terrence and Tre was familiar to allstudents who had
seen the movie Happy Feet.
The students were delighted with Tip Tap Two’s program as was evident by the
number of children who left the
gymnasium tapping. Due to the success of this program, OPAS hopes to continue
working with the Woodruff Center’s Young Audiences Arts for Learning division to
bring more of these top quality Education & Outreach programs to students
throughout the Lake Oconee area.
