Digging into improvisation with Nicholas Young. Class topics include: working with divisions and creativity, note groupings, habit breakers, improvisation games and exercises, trading, comping, and voicing

WEDNESDAYS | 7:00-8:30PM | $20 (or just show up, no one will be turned away for lack of funds)
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE at RAC NYC

===============================================================================

Bio: Nicholas Young

Nicholas Young is an artist, choreographer, dancer, musician, and a 2014 Bessie Award recipient. He began his professional career at the age of 16 in Austin, TX with Tapestry Dance Company under the direction of Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand. As Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer of the company, he was awarded Best Male Dancer (2001) and Best Choreography (2003) by the Austin Critics Council. In the New York City cast of STOMP from 2003-2013, he moved forward with the production playing the lead role and acting as Rehearsal Director for the American Tour. Most recently, Nicholas served as the Associate Artistic Director of Dorrance Dance and has been a choreographer and collaborator with Artistic Director Michelle Dorrance for nearly a decade. Choreographic and conceptual collaborations with Dorrance Dance include: ETM The Initial Approach, ETM Double Down, Guggenheim Rotunda Project, Elemental (BAM), and Ways to Now (Jacob’s Pillow). Nicholas’ solo choreographic contributions to the company include Elastic Time which premiered at The Joyce Theater in New York City and Untitled Waveforms which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow. His work has been performed at Jacob’s Pillow, Sadlers Wells, Fira Tarrega, The Joyce Theater, City Center, and Hong Kong Arts Festival, among others. As a musician, Nicholas has performed and toured with Cyro Baptista’s Beat the Donkey, as drummer for Darwin Deez and Dorrance Dance, was cast in the Amazon film Música, and has created two electronic music scores for the documentaries Tap or Die and Aces and Knaves, produced by Jackie Pare.

============================================================================

Mission Statement: Located in the heart of El Barrio, Rhythmic Arts Center is a community-driven sanctuary for Tap Dance, Percussive Arts, Movement, and Spiritual Practice. Serving as a multidisciplinary school, performance venue, and creative hub, we support artists exploring rhythm, technique, history, and self-expression who want to push the boundaries of their artform. Our space is available for rent at an affordable hourly rate and equipped with a state of the art sprung wood floor, full backline, streaming equipment for virtual classes and content creation, and a stunning exposed brick backdrop ideal for photography or film. We also offer wellness experiences including sound baths, yoga, and meditation.