The heartbeat of tap dance

Tap dance, according to dancer and choreographer Michelle Dorrance, is much older than most people think, as racism has erased much of its history.

Today, she adds, while tap has prominent figures in white musical and cinematic culture from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, "the genre has innovated and evolved over the years, especially within African American culture."

Dorrance contributed to this innovation and is now considered one of the most creative choreographers in the genre. The rhythm is in the feet, like a heartbeat or like African American percussion with systole and diastole.

A testament to her talent and contribution to the discipline will be seen on August 23 at the National Auditorium, where she will be part of the international cast of Despertares, the dance show led by Mexican dancer Isaac Hernández.

According to specialized critics, the choreographer has connected tap dance with the international cultural landscape like no other artist before. The choreographer will present a premiere in the country, accompanied by dancers specially invited for the occasion.

Isaac Hernández has often stated that Dorrance is one of the artists he was most interested in featuring, as he deeply admires her. For her part, she appreciates the opportunity and expresses her hope to return to the country with the company that bears her name.

Meanwhile, the choreographer—who has recently worked with artists such as Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley in the upcoming film The Bride—explains that "Isaac Hernández is an incredible artist and human being, the kind of person anyone could only dream of working with. I love what he represents."

Finally, Dorrance asserts that tap dance is synonymous with passion and is full of vitality. "There are so many nuances in our art form, and I am very grateful that it becomes deeper and more sophisticated with age. We all want to go out like Steve Condos, dying with our shoes on, just offstage right after dancing."