BIOGRAPHY
Dallas, Texas native Tony Mayes has been working in ‘the business’ his entire life. After graduating from Ithaca College with a B.F.A in acting, he moved to New York City, began to study tap, and quickly immersed himself in New York’s tap culture. Since then, Tony has been working constantly.
His credits in tap include co-associate producing Sound Check, a Tap Dance Concert Series produced by the American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), Tony Waag’s Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival & Tap City on Tour produced by ATDF, Hoofer’s House produced by Studio Museum in Harlem, Shim-Sham produced by the Kitchen Theatre, Jason Samuels Smith, A.C.G.I. produced by Divine Rhythm Productions and Jacob’s Pillow, River to River Dance Festival: Evening Stars produced by the Joyce, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and ATDF, Evening on Broadway produced by Vail Valley Theatre Company, Tap Ole produced by Dance INN Productions, and Broadway Underground produced by Jared Grimes and Cheryl Cutlip. He has taught for the ATDF (NY), Bridge for Dance (NY), Connecticut Ballet Center (CT), Vail Valley Dance Academy (CO), and The School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas (TX).
Tony not only taps but also works in all aspects of theatre. Through being a technician, an actor, stage manager, writer, teacher, director, tap dancer, and a producer, he continually works and hones his skills in New York. Directing credits include: A Play About Two Men, One of Whom Does Not Understand (by: Brantley Aufill / New York premier), the Hamlet-a-thon (Producer: Pineapple Project & chashama presents.../ New York Observer’s “Pick of the Week”), Pastorale (by: Deborah Eisenberg / Producer: Pineapple Project & Manhattan Theatre Source / a benefit for the Twin Towner Orphan Fund). Performance credits include Stolen Lives (the story of Anthony Baez) (Director/Writer: Paul Jarrett / role: Anthony Baez / Winner – Audience Award 2005 @ NY Independent Film and Video Festival); Calling Louis (by: Leah Ryan / role: Luis / Producer: Triangle Theatre’s Beast Festival). Credits as wirter include UBU A’Patamusical (Producer: Pineapple Project); the Hamlet-a-thon (Producer: Pineapple Project). Credits as producer include Sound Check, a Tap Dance Concert Series (Producer: ATDF), UBU A’Patamusical (Producer: Pineapple Project); the Hamlet-a-thon (Producer: Pineapple Project).
Read an interview with Tony on our blog!
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Intro Tap: for students with no prior experience wishing to break into tap and learn the basics. Students will break down each step, learn vocabulary, steps, timing, and rhythm. A comfortable atmosphere for the absolute beginner.
Advanced Beginner: For the student who who is ready to step it up a notch. Seamless warmups and drills will help you to refine your skills as you find your own voice as a tapper.