Book Review by Eve Costarelli: Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition

Book Review by Eve Costarelli: Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition by Thelma Goldberg 2013
Theme: Non-Fiction. Instructional Manual for teaching tap dance to children ages 6-12.
Guiding Principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM)

My dear friend, Thelma Goldberg, sent me a copy of her newly self-published book Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition. This is a beautifully laid out manual and I love the catchy and useful sticky note style highlights throughout the book (I also received an accompanying sticky “Tap Notes” pad-which made it very easy for me to jot down my own notes as I went along the book.) Right from the very beginning, Thelma lays out exactly what her approach is to teaching tap to children ages 6-12 and she methodically breaks down her methods level-by-level.
I appreciate how Thelma refers to herself as a student as well as a teacher. I have had the pleasure of taking classes with Thelma, so I know first hand what a dedicated and enthusiastic student she is. I also have seen a number of her studios productions over the years and can equally say she is a committed, passionate teacher, choreographer and leader. Because of this, I can say that Thelma is deeply rooted and she never stops growing!
Thelma’s Tap Notes is guided by four principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM). In the first part of the book, Levels, each age group: 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9-11, 10-12 is broken down into goals, review, musical rhythms, class outline, next step, combos, choreography ideas and improvisation activities. The second part of the book, Series, brings in more tap series needed for the growing dancer: Rudiment Series (courtesy of the Condos Brothers)-basically the ABC’s of tap dance; Double Heel Series-to execute clear and specific single sound movements; Shuffle Series-to get loose and increase crispness of sound; Slap and Flap Series-do I hear a challenge??; Paddle and Roll Series-a very advanced series needed for really good technique; Spank Series-to embody the principle of release; and Time Step Series-a series that spans classical steps through present day creations. Thelma gets into the nitty-gritty needed to develop dancers feet, musicality and expression. The closing of the manual brings in various tap dancers biographies, tying the deep seated tradition of jazz tap to its modernity. Thelma has created not only a clear, accessible teacher’s guide but a great reference manual for avid students and seasoned teachers. To note, I too am a children’s dance teacher (flamenco, tap and yoga), and I found that this guide will be a great addition to my practices of teaching-especially in helping me to lay down my own step-by-step approach. Bravo Thelma! Encore!
Thelma adds: I invite you and others to send me questions and comments so that I can continue to clarify my method in a way that helps other teachers understand my suggestions. Video support will be coming slowly to the website Thelma’s Tap Notes to demonstrate the ‘series’ exercises that are at the core of my approach.

Buy The Book Here

Youth Flamenco, Inclusion Yoga and Tween/Teen Yoga with Eve Costarelli 2014-2015

Youth Flamenco on Wednesdays; Classes start Wednesday September 10th, 2014
@ The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

Youth Flamenco 1 (ages 5-10); 4:00PM The class is designed for children aged 5 to 11 with zero to 1 year of flamenco dance experience. This class includes basic technique of flamenco dance to include correct posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. The student will become familiar with basic flamenco vocabulary. The course will include exercises that will develop the clarity of the students’ footwork, develop their upper-body to lower-body coordination. Basic castanet playing exercises are practiced. Repertoire will be taught. Required attire: leotard or fitted top, castanets, flamenco shoes and skirt for girls. Castanets and flamenco boots for boys. Pre-Registration for Fall-Winter 2014 session, as well as Winter-Spring 2015, contact Eve Costarelli AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com for more information. No drop-ins.

Youth Flamenco 2 (ages 9-16); 5:00PM Two years of dance experience required. This class offers Flamenco technique to improve posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. Exercises that will improve clarity of the students’ footwork, upper-body to lower-body coordination as well as stamina and endurance are included. Medium to complex footwork and choreographic variations are taught. Required Attire: Flamenco shoes, flamenco skirt, leotard or fitted top, castanets. Other dance accessories may be required such as Spanish hat, mantón and fan, when necessary. Pre-Registration for this Fall-Winter 2014 session, as well as Winter-Spring 2015, contact Eve Costarelli AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com for more information. No drop-ins.

Inclusion Yoga (ages 6-10) and Tween/Teen Yoga on Thursdays: Classes start Thursday October 2nd, 2014
@ Open Spirit Center, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, MA

Inclusion Yoga (ages 6-10); 3:45-4:35PM This inclusion class will help children with Autism, special needs, and typical learners to feel comfortable with all people, noting that everyone is different and that’s OK. The class combines breath work, movement, guided meditations and a deep relaxation period to help children learn to be aware of their thoughts, emotions and what their bodies say. This specialized program is designed for typically developing children, and children with special needs, including but not limited to; Autism, ADD/ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, PDD, Sensory Processing Dysfunction, PTSD, CP and DS. Students must be able to take verbal instructions and follow along in a group setting with support. Pre-Registration for this Fall session, as well as other sessions throughout the year, are availablehttp://www.openspiritcenter.org/. Led by Eve Costarelli. $90 for the Fall session, no drop-ins.

Tween/Teen Girls Yoga (ages 11-18); 4:45-6:00PM This class brings older tweens and teens together to explore how yoga can help them better understand and appreciate their changing bodies, relationships, and lives. Yoga can help tweens/ teens move through these often-challenging years and emerge with healthy ways to address stress and find balance. Classes will help empower teens and inspire self-awareness and body confidence, and are fun, upbeat, and non-competitive. Yoga poses, philosophy, breath work, meditation and journaling will be explored. This class also presents a wonderful opportunity for tweens/ teens to come together, laugh, and build friendships within the Open Spirit community. Pre-Registration for this Fall session, as well as other sessions throughout the year, are availablehttp://www.openspiritcenter.org/. Led by Eve Costarelli. $90 for the Fall session, no drop-ins.

Privates are available, slots are filling quickly.
Flamenco and Yoga parties available for children and adults. Yoga Classes & The Common Core, Weddings and Corporate events available. Please inquire.

Eve’s other projects include:

Nourishing Teachers, Strengthening Classrooms Project @ the Framingham Public Schools; Framingham, MA

The Birth of Flamenco @ Young Audiences of Massachusetts; Greater New England

Yoga in the Park @ Ivy Child International; Worcester, MA

Core Yoga In Schools @ Brighton High School; Brighton, MA

Yoga Reaches Out: Kid’s Yogathon; Natick, MA

Book Review: Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition

Title: Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition
Author: Thelma Goldberg
Publisher: Thelma Goldberg 2013
Theme: Non-Fiction. Instructional Manual for teaching tap dance to children ages 6-12.
Guiding Principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM)

Review by Eve Costarelli

This is my first official book review! My dear friend, Thelma Goldberg, sent me a copy of her newly self-published book Thelma’s Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Tap: Children’s Edition. This is a beautifully laid out manual and I love the catchy and useful sticky note style highlights throughout the book (I also received an accompanying sticky “Tap Notes” pad-which made it very easy for me to jot down my own notes as I went along the book.) Right from the very beginning, Thelma lays out exactly what her approach is to teaching tap to children ages 6-12 and she methodically breaks down her methods level-by-level.

I appreciate how Thelma refers to herself as a student as well as a teacher. I have had the pleasure of taking classes with Thelma, so I know first hand what a dedicated and enthusiastic student she is. I also have seen a number of her studios productions over the years and can equally say she is a committed, passionate teacher, choreographer and leader. Because of this, I can say that Thelma is deeply rooted and she never stops growing!

Thelma’s Tap Notes is guided by four principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM). In the first part of the book, Levels, each age group: 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9-11, 10-12 is broken down into goals, review, musical rhythms, class outline, next step, combos, choreography ideas and improvisation activities. The second part of the book, Series, brings in more tap series needed for the growing dancer: Rudiment Series (courtesy of the Condos Brothers)-basically the ABC’s of tap dance; Double Heel Series-to execute clear and specific single sound movements; Shuffle Series-to get loose and increase crispness of sound; Slap and Flap Series-do I hear a challenge??; Paddle and Roll Series-a very advanced series needed for really good technique; Spank Series-to embody the principle of release; and Time Step Series-a series that spans classical steps through present day creations. Thelma gets into the nitty-gritty needed to develop dancers feet, musicality and expression.

The closing of the manual brings in various tap dancers biographies, tying the deep seated tradition of jazz tap to its modernity. Thelma has created not only a clear, accessible teacher’s guide but a great reference manual for avid students and seasoned teachers. To note, I too am a children’s dance teacher (flamenco, tap and yoga), and I found that this guide will be a great addition to my practices of teaching-especially in helping me to lay down my own step-by-step approach. Bravo Thelma! Encore!

Thelma adds: I invite you and others to send me questions and comments so that I can continue to clarify my method in a way that helps other teachers understand my suggestions. Video support will be coming slowly to the website www.thelmastapnotes.comto demonstrate the ‘series’ exercises that are at the core of my approach.

2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli

         2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli

                   AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; 617-216-1643

                         www. AlwaysBDancing.blogspot.com

Mondays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA; 617-216-1643

4:30-5:30PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12 (New session) 

6:00-7:30PM Veteran’s Yoga (co-taught with Michael Thomas)

Tuesdays @ Spirit Bear Power Yoga, 19 Main Street, Natick, MA; 508-655-YOGA (9642)

4:00-5:00PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12 (New session)

Tuesdays @ Dancing Arts Center, 9 Whitney Street, Holliston, MA; 508-429-7577

6:00-7:00PM Youth Tap (ages 6-10) (New sessions starting January 22, 2013)

7:00-8:00PM Teen Tap (ages 11+)

8:00-9:00PM Adult Tap

Wednesdays @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Avenue, Cambridge, MA; 617-216-1643

4:00-5:00PM Youth Flamenco 1 (ages 6-10)

5:00-6:00PM Youth Flamenco 2 (ages 11+)

Fridays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA; 617-216-1643

10:00-11:15 Adult/Teen Flamenco: 8-week Sevillanas Series (Welcoming home-schoolers ages 11+) (New session January 11, 2013-March 8, 2013)

Sevillanas:

Sevillanas is a timeless folkdance from southern Spain that has become virtually synonymous with the flamenco of Andalucía. Based on traditional Spanish dances, the Sevillanas form was adopted by the residents of Sevilla (both gypsies and non-gypsies) and merged with their strong flamenco culture to become the most recognizable symbol of the region. Sevillanas are danced in pairs by children, teenagers and adults at nightclubs, parties, and most famously at the annual Feria de Abril in Sevilla. Sevillanas is a fun and exciting dance that enlivens any party and is essential in the repertoire of any flamenco dancer and for all who just love the art of flamenco.

This class will guide the beginner dancer through the basic steps of all four parts of the Sevillanas. The course will cover the basic flamenco style, posture, hand, arm and foot placement. 

Two great opportunities are coming up this weekend to see the youth flamenco/tap students of Eve (Agush) Costarelli:

Hi All Dance Aficionados!

Two great opportunities are coming up this weekend to see the youth flamenco/tap students of Eve (Agush) Costarelli:

Saturday June 9th @ The Natick Farmer’s Market 12:00-12:30PM

Included in this fabulous occasion will be youth flamenco students, flamenco guitarist Antonio Tiriti and performances by Eve Costarelli. This is a free event and open to the public. Plenty of on street metered parking. Come early, stay late and buy some delicious food from the farmers! Support local growers! 

Sunday June 10th @ Edwards Hall/ Edwards Church, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, MA 1:00-2:00PM

Included in this event are all the flamenco, tap and private students of Eve Costarelli. Open tot he public; Donations are suggested at the door: $10 per person. Plenty of free parking. 

2012 Dance Classes with Eve Agush

2012 Dance Classes with Eve Agush AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com

617-216-1643

www.AlwaysBDancing.blogspot.com

Mondays @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA.

Youth Tap Dance Level One 4:30-5:30PM (ages 10+)

Mondays @ Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

Veteran’s Yoga, 6:00-7:30PM (All veterans are invited to experience healing and rejuvenation through this free yoga class). Jointly sponsored by There And Back Again, Edwards and Plymouth Churches. Co-taught by Eve Agush, Sue Lynch and Lynn Stoller.

Wednesdays @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

Youth Flamenco Level One 4:00-5:00PM  (ages 6+)

Youth Tap Dance Level Two 5:00-6:00PM (ages 10+): This is not a beginner level class; all students should have at least a year of tap dance and understand the basics of tap dance.

Thursdays @ 258 Mt. Vernon Street, Newton, MA

Youth Flamenco Level Two (ages 8+) 5:00-6:00PM

Fridays @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA

Adult Flamenco 10:00-11:00AM (Home schooled teenagers are welcome to this class)

Eve is also a gifted individual instructor for adults, teens and children. Contact Eve to schedule a private flamenco, tap or yoga session. Eve also presents school programs and birthday parties

2011-2012 Dance Classes with Eve Agush

2011-2012 Dance Classes with Eve Agush

AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; 617-216-1643

www.AlwaysBDancing.blogspot.com

Classes begin the week of September 12-16, 2011

·       Mondays @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA.

Youth Tap Dance Level 1 3:30-4:30 (ages 7-10); Youth Tap Dance Level 2 4:30-5:30PM (ages 11+); Adult Beginner Tap Dance 6:00-7:00PM

·        Wednesdays @ The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

4:00-5:00PM Youth Flamenco Level One for ages 6-10

5:00-6:00PM Youth Tap Dance Level 2 (ages 10+): This is not a beginner level class; all students should have at least a year of tap dance and understand the basics of tap dance.

·        Thursday @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA

11:00-12:00PM Adult Flamenco L:evel 1

·        Thursday @ 258 Mt. Vernon Street, Newton, MA

5:00-6:00PM Youth Flamenco Level 2 for ages 8-15

Eve is also a gifted individual instructor for adults, teens and children. Contact Eve to schedule a private flamenco, tap or yoga session. Eve also presents flamenco and yoga birthday parties.    

Summer Youth Dance Classes with Eve Agush

1. Southshore Ballet Theatre: Flamenco and Yoga
2. Carol Schneider Sereda’s Children’s Dance Theater: Tap (I will also be teaching children’s tap and yoga here in the fall).
3. Northeast School of  Ballet: Flamenco