Jump Rhythm Jazz and Tap Technique

dancersdreamland

I recently saw a dance recital at a college in my area. The first number BLEW ME AWAY!

It was a tap dance choreographed by Jeannie Hill who previously taught Jump Rhythm Jazz and Tap Technique at Steps on Broadway in NYC. The dancing was not the typical choreographed tap you'd expect from a dance studio. Rather, it was jazz with tap, hoofin and rhythm with funky beats and vocalizations.

Anyone here ever taken these types of classes or seen this type of performance?

Medira · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

I've seen it done and I was thinking of looking into it around here, but I didn't get a chance before I was injured. I may do it yet, but I'm still working on recovering. Tap was my favourite of the solo dances, so it would be an absolute thrill to get back into it again. :)

dancersdreamland · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:53 pm Post subject:

Injured? May I ask what happened? How is recovering coming along and how long unti you've fully recovered?

dancersdreamland · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:54 pm Post subject:

Injured? May I ask what happened? How is recovering coming along and how long unti you've fully recovered?

Medira · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject:

dancersdreamland wrote: Injured? May I ask what happened? How is recovering coming along and how long unti you've fully recovered? I was in a car accident in October of 2003. I had a faulty connector on one end of my break line which exploded when I happened to be going downhill on a country highway with a sharp turn at the bottom. I was going about 90 km/h and nothing happened when I braked to slow down in order to take the turn at the bottom of the hill. I tried the emergency brake and still nothing happened. I dropped it into neutral, but I was going too fast. I tried to make the turn, hit the gravel shoulder and lost control of the car....jumped a ditch and got stopped by trees, one of which came through my windshield. Fun times, let me tell you. Luckily, I was the only one in the car.

Damage-wise, the car was totalled. I ended up with a massive concussion (the air bags went when I hit the ditch, but had deflated by the time I hit the trees, so I hit the steering wheel), 7 bruised ribs, 4 of them cracked, bruised lungs and diaphragm and the ligaments that surround and support the spine pulled away from it. The damage goes from my shoulder blades all the way down.

I was bedridden for 6 months before going through a year and a half of physiotherapy. The doctors are still looking at the possibility of reconstructive spinal surgery, but I'm trying to avoid it as long as I can. The procedure would be a long, difficult one where they would need to put metal rods in the spine and tie the ligaments back into place. Not pretty. The therapist cleared me to start working out again at the end of January 2005 and I took up ballroom part way through the month of February because I really wanted to dance again, but I thought that the impact of the solo dances on my spine wouldn't be too beneficial.

After gym work and dancing, I've been totally pain free for the last 6 weeks. Doctors told me I would be in pain for the rest of my life and on pain killers until the end of my days. I stopped taking the pain medication three days after I was out of the hospital because I didn't want to become dependent on it, so my current pain free status is 100% natural! I still have the occasional rough day, but I'm crossing my fingers that the pain-free feeling will stick around. Given the fact I was told that I shouldn't have survived the crash, let alone walked away from it, I'm feeling really good about things. :)

Despite the progress, I'm still taking things slowly. I don't want to push too hard and end up back where I was or, heaven forbid, in worse shape.

So, that's the story! Sorry it's so long...

dancersdreamland · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:12 am Post subject:

Medira - Thank you for sharing your story. Wow, that must have been just terrible...the fear, the pain, the...well everything.

Medira wrote: After gym work and dancing, I've been totally pain free for the last 6 weeks. Doctors told me I would be in pain for the rest of my life and on pain killers until the end of my days. I stopped taking the pain medication three days after I was out of the hospital because I didn't want to become dependent on it, so my current pain free status is 100% natural!

Congratulations! It's fantastic that you've proven the doctors wrong and are beginning to live a pain-free life again. It's amazing what the power of dance can do!

I'll be sure to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for more pain-free days and recovery.

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

dancersdreamland wrote: I recently saw a dance recital at a college in my area. The first number BLEW ME AWAY!

It was a tap dance choreographed by Jeannie Hill who previously taught Jump Rhythm Jazz and Tap Technique at Steps on Broadway in NYC. The dancing was not the typical choreographed tap you'd expect from a dance studio. Rather, it was jazz with tap, hoofin and rhythm with funky beats and vocalizations.

Anyone here ever taken these types of classes or seen this type of performance?

Gabe and Angel both study this form of tap as well as the classic broadway tap. It is a lot of fun to watch and they both enjoy it a lot.

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

Medira,
I was so sorry to read of your accident however very happy to read of your continued recovery! That is wonderful that you are doing so well!

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

Medira,
I was so sorry to read of your accident however very happy to read of your continued recovery! That is wonderful that you are doing so well!

Medira · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the positive responses and well wishes!

To bring this back to the subject of the board, I'm thinking of getting back into tap as soon as I can unhook myself from ballroom enough to spare a bit of time to do it. :)

dancersdreamland · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject:

Medira wrote: Thanks for the positive responses and well wishes!

To bring this back to the subject of the board, I'm thinking of getting back into tap as soon as I can unhook myself from ballroom enough to spare a bit of time to do it. :)

Oooh...falling in love with one type of dance and then trying to pick up another type of dance...it can be tricky but well worth the effort. Please let us know if and when you start! :D

Medira · Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject:

I definitely will! :)