Video Links - Good Vibrations
Good Vibrations is not your average youth dance ensemble; in fact it is not your average dance company at all. The company presents an incredibly unique performance, featuring cutting edge contemporary choreography and traditional rhythm tap as it was danced in its prime. Imagine Stomp, Riverdance, Vaudeville, Fred Astaire and Bring In Da Noise all on the same bill – that’s Good Vibrations! The style of percussive dances ranges from South African Gumboot, to sand dancing, to buck, to a salute to vaudeville, body percussion, jazz, and much more. The music ranges from Blind Boy Fuller to Brubeck to Mozart. This non-stop percussive dance review is a trip through time and into the future of this unique American art form.
The list of choreographers reads like a who’s who in the tap world including the legendary Savion Glover. The company has toured or collaborated with the Greensboro Symphony, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mallarme Chamber Players (Mozart), the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra and many jazz musicians around the nation and world. Good Vibrations has toured internationally in Rio de Janeiro, Vienna, Berlin, Heidelberg and Helsinki and appears annually at the two largest tap festivals in the US, New York and Chicago.
“…premier youth tap ensemble in the world.” -Michael Horowitz, President of the Board Chicago Human Rhythm Project, 2000
Founded in 1983 by Gene Medler, Good Vibrations is a unique, non-profit company that represents all that is good about participation in the arts by young people. Selected by audition each season, these young ambassadors for our state have risen to an unprecedented level of performance skill that has been lauded around the nation and abroad. The company serves to:
-entertain and inform audiences about the universal nature of percussive dancing;
-preserve tap, an indigenous American dance form, and its cultural origins;
-embrace the percussive dance forms of other cultures;
-explore and support the cutting edge of contemporary choreography;
-and give company members the opportunity to perform and be recognized for their contribution to the quality of our lives.
Good Vibrations commissions choreography from across the nation and abroad. Contributions to the repertoire include works by Lane Alexander, Ira Bernstein, Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, Savion Glover, James Green III, Josh Hilberman, Gene Medler, Michael Minery, Margaret Morrison, Jan and Eddie Owens, Zahi Patish and Danny Rachom, Ruth Pershing and John Dee Holeman, Dianne Walker, Sam Weber and Steve Zee.
The ensemble performs locally, nationally and internationally in venues ranging from retirement homes, schools and fairs to international festivals. Good Vibrations has been featured in a performance at Duke University with the Squirrel Nut Zippers and makes regular appearances at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Senior members of the company were part of the founding cast and touring company of Common Ground and have appeared in Tap In at the Town Hall Theater in New York City. Good Vibrations was featured in the PBS documentary Juba! Master of Tap and Percussive Dance. They have also appeared at the New York City Tap Festival, the St. Louis Tap Festival, The Hot Shoe Show (Vienna, Austria), Tap Encontro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Feet Beat Tap Festival (Helsinki, Finland), the Internationales Steptanz-Festival (Berlin, Germany) and the Heidelberger Steptanz Festival (Heidelberg, Germany). During the fall of 2003, Good Vibrations toured North Carolina in Down Home with the Carolina Pops sponsored by Our State Magazine.
The same ensemble that received a standing ovation at the Town Hall Theater in New York City finds equal joy in performing for students in schools across North Carolina. Under the artistic direction of Gene Medler, the company’s members understand and accept their responsibility for preserving tap dance, and they strive to share their love of this American art form with all their audiences.
Bio of Artistic Director Gene Medler
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Raves and Reviews - Good Vibrations
The Stage Whisperer NCYTE Review |
What You Missed and What You Are Going To Miss
You know who you are, those of you who missed the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble in L.A. this past weekend. This unique troupe of teens displayed such professional adroitness and stunning choreography, any dance troupe would be hard-pressed to match it.
At intermission, adults in the audience were talking about digging out their old dance shoes, they were so inspired. Certainly the couple of dozen elementary-aged dancers in the audience had the chance to see what other kids not much older than them were doing. That inspiration should carry the kids through quite a few hours of practice.
The Stage Whisperer- News, Opinions and Outrageous Rumors about South Bay Entertainment - January 16th, 2008 |
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Torrance Arts Ray Solley Raves |
They came. They tapped. They conquered.
We wanted a show with appeal to adults and older kids. One that capitalized on America's current fascination with dance, and connected with our active local dance scene. And we wanted to see if this audience would turn out on a Saturday night when they had lots of other entertainment choices. NCYTE delivered on all counts. The show pulsed with energy from start to finish. The young tappers pulled us into their world with jaw-dropping athleticism and articulate personal introductions.
It was an evening that inspired even the grandmothers in the audience to shuffle, tap and stomp all the way home.
Ray Solley, Executive Director
Torrance Arts
Redondo Beach, CA
February 2008 |
| Ray Solley |
Tap is the tie that binds this 'family' Ensemble's founder sees kids grow right along with their talents |
CHAPEL HILL - On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, the Ballet School of Chapel Hill is alive with activity as young dancers carrying tap shoes talk and laugh as they bound upstairs to Studio C.
The members of the globe-trotting North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble are heading for another energetic rehearsal. Studio C is where the hard work happens, the work that has made NCYTE (pronounced "insight") a youth dance ensemble of international renown.
The group practices every week from September through April. Recently NYCTE has been rehearsing for its season finale, "Good Vibrations," set to be performed this weekend at Durham's Carolina Theatre.
The company, directed by founder and artistic director Gene Medler, includes 36 dancers ranging in age from 8 to 18.
Luke Hickey, 12, has been a member of the dance company for five years.
"I saw the show 'STOMP' when I was six and told my parents I had to learn how to tap," he said.
When Luke hits the dance floor, his face glows and his feet fly.
"It's the best feeling," he said. "I'm always dancing, and in the grocery store I'll hear something on the radio and start tapping and people just stare. Once you start you can't stop."
His younger sister Amanda and older brother Sam also tap in NCYTE. The ensemble features some of the finest young dancers in North Carolina.
Medler has devoted himself to the ensemble since founding it in 1983. NCYTE has given performances in Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany and Mexico.
"The company is like my extended family," he said. "Dancers will come in here at seven or eight years old, and I'll see them for the next 10 years."
Medler is a calming presence. As Studio C fills with dancers bursting with noise, he sits quietly by the sound system observing.
The more experienced dancers mentor the younger ones. Medler himself rarely wears his tap shoes during NCYTE rehearsal. As much as possible, he wants his young dancers to work things out for themselves.
Elizabeth Burke, 16, has been with NCYTE for 10 years. She started tapping at age 6 and now helps guide the younger dancers.
"Gene is amazing to work with," she said. "He is so calm, and with all of us hormonal teens. He really is patient. We have our moments where we'll get annoyed and storm out of the room, but Gene just takes it all in stride."
Michele Lynn, whose son, Kyle McConaughey, 12, is in his first year with the dance company, says Medler's devotion inspires the kids.
"NCYTE is considered one of, if not the best youth tap companies in the country," she said. "Gene teaches the kids not only how to be incredible tap dancers but, just as important, he helps them learn how to work together, present themselves professionally and learn to lead and take responsibility."
Medler did not begin tapping until his late 20s. He was athletic, a fencer at UNC, but when he took some tap classes, something clicked. Eventually he hit upon the idea of launching a small dance studio.
"I had no idea it would be the career path it has been," he said. "Initially I started out with five boys and five girls. We were like a bad garage band that just said, 'Let's do it,' and had our first show."
Over time, that little group grew into NCYTE.
Medler's star alumni include Michelle Dorrance, who is in the New York company of "STOMP" and will perform in the "Good Vibrations" program. The performance will feature styles including Gumboot, sand dancing, buck and body percussion. The show is like "STOMP," "Riverdance," vaudeville, Fred Astaire and "Bring in Da' Noise, Bring in Da' Funk" all on one stage.
Back at Studio C, Medler watches the rehearsal with an unwavering focus. Midway through, when the dancers start to flag, he stops the music.
"Have fun, and let the audience know it," he says. "Cut loose and get down; even if you don't hit that particular step, the audience won't know if you're smiling and having a great time."
Just like that, the tension of trying to perfect steps and rhythms dissipates. The dancers laugh, Medler changes the music, and the room fills with a staccato "tap-tap-tap."
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| Rebekah L. Cowell |
Kids Turned Hoofers |
North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble
Kids Turned Hoofers.
From cutting-edge contemporary tap choreography and body percussion to the percussive dance forms of indigenous Americans and other cultures, you’ll see it all when the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble hits the stage. This international touring company (with 35 members, ranging in age from 8 to 18) performs more than 40 times per year at tap festivals, schools and in concert halls. (But they never compete.)
Read more |
| Nina Amir |
Young dancing wizards on tap |
DURHAM -- Over the last 14 months, Gene Medler's North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble has brought rhythm to Beijing, China; Stuttgart, Germany; Puebla, Mexico; and Vancouver, Canada. Based at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill, the 26-year-old NCYTE has put North Carolina on a par with Chicago and New York for cutting-edge tap.
This weekend, local audiences can catch up with the 34-member company at its annual Carolina Theater show. "Good Vibrations," produced by graduating seniors Jessica Goss and Walker McLear, introduces NCYTE's five newest members and features edgy modern choreography along with traditional rhythm tap. Dance styles trace the evolution of tap from South African Gumboot to vaudeville, jazz and hip-hop's influence; music ranges from Mozart to Brubeck to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
"It's the most unique group I've ever seen," said Aimee Peden Burke, whose daughter Elizabeth has danced with NCYTE for 10 years. "What Gene Medler gives is immeasurable; he instills passion and joy for dance, for working together. The kids do a great job of managing themselves."
Chapel Hill's Michele Lynn, whose son Kyle McConaughey is new to the company, explained that under Medler's system of mentorship, experienced dancers teach choreography to the youngsters on their own, outside of weekly rehearsals. In this way, "kids take ownership of their learning," Lynn said.
"All the other really good dancers show me what I can become," said 12-year-old Kyle.
Both Burke and Lynn emphasized the team's family atmosphere. "Kids have a lifelong loyalty to Gene and to NCYTE," said Lynn. One such alum is New York-based professional tapper Michelle Dorrance, who will take time out from her national tour with "STOMP" to dance in this weekend's show. Also guest-performing is Derick K. Grant, an original member of Broadway's "Bring in 'Da Noise" cast.
So what's Medler's secret to success?
"I love so many aspects of teaching," he said. "I guess that fueled my fire to keep learning and share the passion."
He added that his teacher and mentor, renowned tapper Brenda Bufalino, used to say "keep a beginner's mind." His leadership is modeled after his "three great coaches," including his father. "All three displayed passion and open mindedness," said Medler. "They loved the process and weren't overly concerned with the outcome. Consequently, they were very successful."
And Medler manages to be very successful with outcomes as well. "Gene is really determined to get a dance to be its best," said 9-year-old newcomer Jared Kirkpatrick, who grew up attending tap concerts and found himself "very interested in what their feet were doing."
Another new dancer, 16-year-old Katie Taylor, noted that Medler "is always encouraging us to go outside our boundaries when we dance. The excitement he brings to the company makes me want to become the best dancer that I could ever be."
She looks forward to NCYTE's annual summer trip to Chicago for the Human Rhythm Project, where dancers take classes, learn new choreography, and then go back to pay the skills forward.
This weekend, audiences will see one of those new dances learned last summer from Chicago-based choreographer Tre Dumas. His "From Me to You," said Burke, "is very modern and intricate. We're closing the first half with that dance because it's so intense--we need intermission to rest."
Seniors Goss and McLear took charge of a recent rehearsal, calling out advice and demonstrating correct form and rhythms in addition to performing their own dances. "This is our baby," said Goss. "We picked the name of the show, the order, the lighting, costuming -- ... ."
"With a lot of help from the team," added Walker.
The seniors also got together with Burke to choreograph the show's title piece, the '90s rap song performed by Marky Mark. "It's light-hearted, fun and whimsical," said Burke. "We all listened and then brought in ideas and different steps, and decided where we wanted duets, and where we wanted the chorus."
And as the seniors moved their company through the show's repertoire, Medler sat by the sound system, listening and taking notes. "Gene has the ear -- he's brilliant, basically," said Goss. "He doesn't know all the choreography, but he can hear when something's out of place. Then Elizabeth demonstrates how to do the step: Elizabeth Burke is Gene's feet!"
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| Rebecca Bailey |
North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center |
The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble comes to Torrance. One of the most acclaimed tap dance companies in America, their performances span the entire history of tap dancing, from the 19th century to vaudeville, jazz, and contemporary choreography by such artists as Savion Glover.
Read More |
| Goldstar Editorial Team |
California Raves |
It was very inspirational to see peers the same age as our students excel the way they did at their art form. We appreciated the educational aspect of the performance and our students were mesmerized by the exceptional dancing of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble." - Marion Buxton, Chaparral Middle School
"The show was terrific and very educational for anyone who didn't know anything about tap dancing. We're always looking for something new and exciting and the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble was it!" - Crane School
"I've seen many dance performances and nothing compares to the talent and professionalism of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. The show was engaging and entertaining from the very first step!" - Fred Kavli Performing Arts Center |
| Various |
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"[Good Vibrations] delivered on all counts. The show pulsed with energy from start to finish...It was an evening that inspired even the grandmothers in the audience to shuffle, tap and stomp all the way home." |
| Ray Solley, Torrence Cultural Arts Center Foundation |
Date |
Venue |
Location |
| 02/25/2011
- 02/26/2011 |
UNC-Pembroke
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Pembroke, NC |
Artist's Team
| Artist's Label info coming soon....
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Publicity Info
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| Gene Medler |
| Good Vibrations c/o NCYTE |
| 919-967-9624 |
| ncyte@mindspring.com |
| www.ncyteonline.org |
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