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

Dance In The Schools 2015: Life Cycle of the Yoga Butterfly

Today was the final day of Dance In The Schools 2015 at the Baldwin School, Cambridge. My classes were based on the life cycle of the butterfly (current with the 2^nd grade science curriculum) and the concepts of senses we know (touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste) and then the ones we don’t know as much about (proprioception= an awareness of our bodies in space and the vestibular system=balance, gravity and movement information though our inner ear).

The best thing about yoga is that it allows for a sensory experience in a safe/non-competitive environment. You can manipulate your body in space, using poses, breath and meditation to clear pathways to achieve balance.

Breathing Sticks (once again, I noted to them to practice their breathing once they got their sticks)

Sa-Ta-Na-Ma meditation

What is the Butterfly Life Cycle?

Egg (usually laid on a leaf)

Larva/Caterpillar (eats leaves to grow)

Pupa/Chrysalis/Cocoon

Adult butterfly/moth

What is metamorphosis?

Interesting facts:

1. Butterflies are active during the day feeding on flowers. They suck up the sweet nectar with their long, curly tongues. That is because butterflies cannot bite or chew.
2. There are about 150,000 kinds of butterflies and they and their caterpillars come in all sorts of colors and sizes.
3. Butterflies Like all insects, they have six jointed legs, 3 body parts, a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts are the head, thorax (the chest), and abdomen (the tail end). Most have four wings. The wings of butterflies are covered with tiny scales that seem to shimmer in the daylight. Some of them are brightly colored. Others have bold patterns or scary eye-spots. When a butterfly flashes its wings at its enemies, it confuses them, and gives itself time to escape the danger that they might be in.
4. Butterflies and moth belong to the order Lepidoptera. Lepidos is Greek for “scales” and ptera means “wing”.

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert

Out in the fields, eggs are hidden from view. Child’s pose

clinging to leaves with butterfly glue. Stretching child’s pose. Fingers crawl to the left and right to stretch sides.

Soon caterpillars hatch. They creep and they chew. Creep forward into inchworm.

Each one knows what it must do. Press up to cobra. Add hissing and snaking back up and down.

Find a place where winds don;t blow, Locust.

then make a case in which to grow. Bow.

Caterpillar changes now begin– Rock and roll on belly, release. Rise up to standing position.

body and wings take shape within. Tapping.

When it’s time, each case is torn– Willow tree and joy breath.

wings unfold; new butterflies are born! Star Pose.

They pump their wings, get ready to fly, Add cross body kicks.

then hungry butterflies head for the sky. Yoga Jumping Jacks.

Looking for flowers with nectar to eat, Standing flower pose (tree)

they catch a whiff of something sweet.: Join a partner for partner tree/or group tree

They follow that fragrant scent of perfume, Melt to the floor. breathing in and smelling the delicious odor of fresh flowers 3x.

until they find our garden bloom.: Seated flower

We’ve been waiting for wings! Seated bat (opening flower)

We watch them circle, land on their feet, Lay on back and hug knees to chest. Legs up towards ceiling, as if walking on ceiling. Foot circles, both directions. Point and flex and then walk on ceiling and then bicycle.

unroll their tongues, and begin to eat.: Rock and roll. Grab feet, happy baby.

They dip and sip, Feet down. Simple lying twist.

then fly away, back home to the fields… Full body stretch-like a gingerbread man.

They have eggs to lay.: Savasana

Song (sung to the tune of Pop Goes The Weasel)…I tried!

I spin and spin my chrysalis

I stay inside to rest

When I come out….Metamorphosis!

Pop! Goes the butterfly.

Of course we then did a rousing version of Yogini Went to Sea and then the Downward Dog Crawl Tunnel. Not taking into account the size of the room, proved to be a stumper for a moment. But I offered up the challenge to the class and we  were able to create a circle, which worked very well! I so appreciated the first groups problem solving ability!

Please enjoy the wonderful gift I received:

                                      

Ole! Namaste!

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.

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. 

Dance In the Schools video on SmartTV 98, Cambridge

I have participated in Dance In The Schools, Cambridge MA since 2007. This is a fabulous opportunity to get into the public school classrooms and interact kinesthetically with the kids! I love it! I began by bringing tap, then added yoga and this year I had the opportunity through the Amigos School to bring flamenco too.

This year we also had the good luck to be videoed by SmartTV 98, Cambridge and I am delighted to announce that the video made about the Dance in the Schools program, featuring excerpts from 6 participating Cambridge Public School classrooms this year, will air 9 times in the next 2 weeks on SmartTV 98!

Here is the schedule – 

Dance in the Schools will play on SmartTV 98:

6/4/12 8:00am
6/5/12 10:00am
6/5/12 8:00pm
6/6/12 12:30pm
6/7/12 2:30pm
6/7/12 8:30pm
6/8/12 5:00pm
6/9/12 7:00pm
6/10/12 10:00pm

Cambridge Education Access TV (CEA-TV98) filmed a few Dance In the Schools sessions this year. The sessions were edited into one video by a Media Arts Studio student and Erica Sigal.

The video is 15 minutes long. It shows Dance in the Schools in action with the children and the Dance Teaching Artists.  It describes and demonstrates the goals and purpose of the program.  

Please share this schedule and information on to the everyone you know, so they can share in the pride and joy of the experience.

Please also send the schedule to ALL Cambridge Public School teachers, grades K-8, to expose them to Dance in the Schools for next school year.

This video will NEVER be used for commercial or for-profit purposes. It will only be used for educational and fund-raising (for Dance In the Schools) purposes.

Copies of the video will be given to Principals at each of the participating schools, to show and keep in their files.

Thanks to the Cambridge Arts Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for helping makeDance In the Schools possible this year 

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

Flamenco, tap and yoga classes for youth and adults with Eve Agush

Flamenco, tap and yoga classes for youth and adults with 
Eve Agush

Classes begin the week of September 12th, 2011  

All new students enjoy their first class for $10.00-please invite your friends to join!

AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; 617-216-1643
www.AlwaysBDancing.blogspot.com

·       Mondays @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA.
Youth Tap Dance Level 1 (ages 5-9) 3:30-4:30; Youth Tap Dance Level 2 (ages 10+) 4:30-5:30PM; Adult Tap Dance Level 1:6:00-7:00PM


·        Wednesdays @ The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA
Youth Flamenco Level One (ages 6-10) 4:00-5:00PM
Youth Tap Dance Level 2 (ages 10+) 5:00-6:00PM: 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 technique.


·        Thursday @ 258 Mt. Vernon Street, Newton, MA
Youth Flamenco Level 2 (ages 8-15) 5:00-6:00PM: This is not a beginner level class; all students should have at least a year of flamenco and understand the basics of flamenco technique and rhythms.


·        Friday @ Sereda DanceWorks, 89H Washington Ave., Natick, MA
Adult Flamenco L:evel 1 10:00-11:00AM *** NEW DAY AND TIME****

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.  

   Remember to always be dancing!

          No olvides bailar siempre

www.alwaysbdancing.blogspot.com

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

Fall 2010 Dance Classes with Eve Agush

Wednesday: The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA

4:00-5:0PM Youth Flamenco Level One (ages 7-12) NEW CLASS

5:00-6:00PM Youth Tap  Level Two (ages 9-13)

Thursday: 258 Mt Vernon Street, Newton, MA

5:00-6:00Pm Youth Flamenco Level Two (ages 9-12)

6:00-7:15Pm Teen/Adult Flamenco (ages 13+)

Friday:

B Yoga, 237 Main Street, Melrose, MA

4:15-5:00PM  Youth Yoga (ages 6-11)

Northeast Youth School of Ballet, 99A Essex Street, Melrose, MA

5:15-6:15PM Teen/Adult Flamenco

6:15-7:15PM Teen/Adult Tap Dance

Saturday: 16 Porter Road, Natick, MA

Eve is a gifted individual instructor for adults, teens and children. Contact Eve to schedule a private flamenco, tap or yoga session. Eve also specializes in working with chidlren on the autism spectrum and their care givers. Eve also presents flamenco and yoga birthday parties.            

Contact Eve Agush at AdmaAnt_Eve@hotmail.com or 617-216-1643