Tap Teacher
Derek Hartley, MA (Performing Arts), has been a professional dancer and choreographer and tap teacher since the early 1980’s. Derek has earned a glowing reputation for innovation and design, as reflected in his work for film, television, theatre, cabaret, festivals and dance academies globally.
Derek is an international authority on the perception, presentation and performance of tap dancing as a contemporary modern dance form, paying tribute to the great performers of the past while continually exploring the form's potential for the future – as demonstrated in the show, 'Tap 2000', which was performed at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London's West End in May 2000.
Derek is a leading lecturer in theatre arts, choreography and jazz and tap history, as well as a writer of original staged material for musical theatre, and values music as being the key to this special instrument of the body.
Derek Hartley uses his 'addition' method and his own 'rhythm clock' idea, based on an African American 'rhythm tap' style but with jazz and other influences added, his classes are always fresh with consistent changes of music.