...dedicated to promoting the art of Tap dance
About Us
The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble was formed in January of 2008 to educate young dancers about the indigenous American art form of tap dance. Through performances, workshops, jams and other various mediums, we hope to reach out to the community and share our love for this amazing art form.
In our 2011-2012 season, the dancers will focus on collaborating with local youth jazz musicians in order to gain a better understanding of tap dance as a musical art form. Dancers will learn traditional pieces of choreography that have been passed down through generations as well as exciting new choreography from contemporary tap artists. We hope to provide each dancer with the tools they need to express themselves as individuals through the language of tap.
DYTE is a non-competitive organization that focuses on collaboration, team building, and bringing artists together. We are not affiliated with any dance studio. Dancers from all over the DFW metroplex are encouraged to audition!
If you are interested in becoming a part of The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble please contact one of the Directors for more information!
In our 2011-2012 season, the dancers will focus on collaborating with local youth jazz musicians in order to gain a better understanding of tap dance as a musical art form. Dancers will learn traditional pieces of choreography that have been passed down through generations as well as exciting new choreography from contemporary tap artists. We hope to provide each dancer with the tools they need to express themselves as individuals through the language of tap.
DYTE is a non-competitive organization that focuses on collaboration, team building, and bringing artists together. We are not affiliated with any dance studio. Dancers from all over the DFW metroplex are encouraged to audition!
If you are interested in becoming a part of The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble please contact one of the Directors for more information!
Katelyn Harris
Founder/ Director/ Choreographer
Katelyn Harris grew up in Dallas, TX and is trained in many forms of movement including rhythm tap, classical ballet and jazz, modern & contemporary dance, and hatha yoga. In addition to her Dallas education she has also trained with Michelle Latimer in Denver, NYC's Broadway Dance Center and STEPS, as well as Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Katelyn was a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, TX from 2006-2010. Through her work with Tapestry she has been very fortunate to learn from such masters as Acia Gray, Jeni LeGon, Harold Cromer, Brenda Buffalino, Sarah Petronio, Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, and many many more. She has toured the U.S. with Tapestry in their production of "The Souls of Our Feet" which was selected for a grant by the NEA: American Masterpeices in Dance and recently toured China in October 2011.
Contact Info:
kfh8783@aol.com
Founder/ Director/ Choreographer
Katelyn Harris grew up in Dallas, TX and is trained in many forms of movement including rhythm tap, classical ballet and jazz, modern & contemporary dance, and hatha yoga. In addition to her Dallas education she has also trained with Michelle Latimer in Denver, NYC's Broadway Dance Center and STEPS, as well as Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Katelyn was a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, TX from 2006-2010. Through her work with Tapestry she has been very fortunate to learn from such masters as Acia Gray, Jeni LeGon, Harold Cromer, Brenda Buffalino, Sarah Petronio, Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, and many many more. She has toured the U.S. with Tapestry in their production of "The Souls of Our Feet" which was selected for a grant by the NEA: American Masterpeices in Dance and recently toured China in October 2011.
Katelyn has also worked with Tasha Lawson's Tri-Tone Productions, a company that fuses body pecussion, tap dance, and contemporary movement into unique works of art. Katelyn makes it to Frisco as often as she can to choreograph and teach for Michelle Stafford's Performing Company at Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center. She has won numerous awards and honors for her innovative choreography on the local and national level. Katelyn is currently co-directing The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble with Kiera Leverton, a youth company that provides students the opportunity to learn tap history, improvisation, and challenging technical skills. She and Leverton are also laying the foundations for a new professional Tap Dance Company and non-profit organization, Rhythmic Souls!
Contact Info:
kfh8783@aol.com
Keira Leverton
Founder/ Director/ Choreographer
Keira Leverton has performed at such venues as Radio City Music Hall, The Kodak Theatre, The Sky Dome in Toronto, and Wembley Stadium in London. From 2000 to 2006 she directed The Drawbacks Tap Company which has performed internationally in Prague and Italy. Keira toured as a dancer with "Barney's Colorful World" and was given the role of dance captain for three years. She also played Bert in Sesame Street's production of "When Elmo Grows Up" from 2007-2008. Keira was the lead role in a Lilah Vandenburgh short film that was selected to play at the Sundance Film Festival. She recently recieved the opportunity to travel the world with Sesame Street's USO Experience for Military Families, kicking off the tour with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden! In between tours she teaches and choreographs for studios around Dallas and has also been invited to choreograph for Barbara Ryan Phillips' youth tap company in San Antonio, RPM. Keira is looking forward to returning to Dallas this fall and co-directing The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble!
Contact Info:
thedrawbacks@hotmail.com
Founder/ Director/ Choreographer
Keira Leverton has performed at such venues as Radio City Music Hall, The Kodak Theatre, The Sky Dome in Toronto, and Wembley Stadium in London. From 2000 to 2006 she directed The Drawbacks Tap Company which has performed internationally in Prague and Italy. Keira toured as a dancer with "Barney's Colorful World" and was given the role of dance captain for three years. She also played Bert in Sesame Street's production of "When Elmo Grows Up" from 2007-2008. Keira was the lead role in a Lilah Vandenburgh short film that was selected to play at the Sundance Film Festival. She recently recieved the opportunity to travel the world with Sesame Street's USO Experience for Military Families, kicking off the tour with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden! In between tours she teaches and choreographs for studios around Dallas and has also been invited to choreograph for Barbara Ryan Phillips' youth tap company in San Antonio, RPM. Keira is looking forward to returning to Dallas this fall and co-directing The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble!
Contact Info:
thedrawbacks@hotmail.com
