Always wanted to try tap?  Here’s your risk-free opportunity!  Adult Beginner Tap will be free for new and existing CBM students on Tuesday, September 13, 5:30-6:30 PM.

About Tap:  Tap is an exciting rhythmic exercise and dance form which is enjoyable to both kids and adults. With African-American and Irish roots, tap has become an original American art form which offers a variety of styles and techniques. Introductory and beginner level classes stress the basics of tap and build into Broadway Style combinations which are great to watch and delightful to hear! Intermediate and advanced level classes progress appropriately with more challenging material which is seen in the traditional Rhythm Tap style of the great masters Honi Coles, Leon Collins and Lady Dianne Walker.

About Laurie:  Laurie Chiasson has been a faculty member of Casco Bay Movers since 1989. She first danced as a young child in Connecticut with a former Rockette, Jane Hart. Beginning in the early 1980’s, she began taking jazz classes with Sheila Bellefleur and continues to this day! Laurie studied ballet with Nancy Durham and took numerous jazz, modern and African classes and workshops with master teachers such as Luigi, Gus Giordano, Arther Hall, Eva Von Gencsy, Jeannette Neill, and Lynn Simonson. Also it was during the 80’s that she started tapping with Karen Marino and Billie Johnston in the company known as Portland Rhythm Tap. Laurie’s passion for tap inspired her to continue her studies with Pamela Raff in Brookline Massachusettes as well as attend master tap classes with Lady Dianne Walker, Josh Hilberman, Germain Salsberg, Barbara Duffy, and she even survived a class with Savion Glover! From 1984 to1990, Laurie owned and directed her own studio in Augusta, Oak Street Dance. She has taught and performed extensively throughout New England with Casco Bay Movers Dance Company, Rhythm Factor and is the founder and artistic director of Rhythm and Sole Tap Dance Company which was established in 2007; dedicated to traditional and contemporary tap. In addition to her dance career, Laurie is an artist and educator. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern Maine with a B.F.A, completed the prestigious E.T.E.P. program and received her Masters in Education in Teaching and Learning. Laurie currently teaches art in S.A.D. 55, Cornish and Baldwin. She lives in Portland with her husband, Larry, and son, Noah.