Join us for Palmetto Tap's Annual
Winter workshop!
Palmetto Tap, established in 2017 as a yearly summer tap dance intensive, has grown!
Beginning in 2026, we are offering a one day tap dance winter workshop, showcase with feedback, and cutting contest!
See details below, and join us MLK weekend annually!
Winter Workshop Faculty/Panel:
Kaelyn Gray
Kaelyn has been a teacher for over 20 years, both at her home school near Cincinnati, OH, and traveling all across the United States and Canada as a a guest artist and instructor. Focusing on all styles of dance, she is a sought-after teacher and adjudicator who loves to bring her unique teaching style to kids all over the country! Kaelyn
Kaelyn has been a teacher for over 20 years, both at her home school near Cincinnati, OH, and traveling all across the United States and Canada as a a guest artist and instructor. Focusing on all styles of dance, she is a sought-after teacher and adjudicator who loves to bring her unique teaching style to kids all over the country! Kaelyn is also the founder of Bring Tap To the People.
Her professional career began at age 18, as a featured performer in Cedar Pointe’s groundbreaking tap/drum show “Krash Boom Bang!”, a first for theme parks. Soon after, she was the youngest choreographer/creative director for Paramount’s Kings Island and King’s Dominion, creating a show named “Pulse” which toured for over 3 years.
Dance, Art, Music, Movement, Rhythm, Teaching, Freedom, Learning, Expanding, Progressing. These are the very things that define Kaelyn as an Artist.
What she admires most about dancing, is that there is no “Finality”. Kaelyn is a believer and an advocate for remaining a student, to take class when you can, watch videos and get inspired! More importantly, she believes in respecting those who came before you, but to never be afraid to blaze your own trail.
Nathan Beech
Nathan cultivated his passion for dance at the age of 5, training at multiple schools in Northern VA and Washington, DC. Growing up as a competitive dancer, he was recognized in magazines such as DanceSpirit Magazine and Dance Informa for his exceptional tap dancing. He also made an appearance on Lifetime’s reality television series Dance
Nathan cultivated his passion for dance at the age of 5, training at multiple schools in Northern VA and Washington, DC. Growing up as a competitive dancer, he was recognized in magazines such as DanceSpirit Magazine and Dance Informa for his exceptional tap dancing. He also made an appearance on Lifetime’s reality television series Dance Moms as a guest artist. In High School, Nathan was selected as a National Young Arts Foundation Finalist, granting him the opportunity to train with famous artists such as Josh Groban, Nikki Minaj, and more.
His career started at a young age when he was cast as Billy in the national tour of “Brothers’ of the Knight”, directed by Debbie Allen. Soon after, Nathan joined the team of Dein Perry’s “Tapdogs”, an award-winning Australian tap dance show, where he traveled the world performing in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Other performing credits include Rhythmic Circus and Busch Garden’s “Celtic Fyre”. As a member of the professional company The JaM Project, Nathan toured the United States performing; “Good Times, Bad Times” at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Break the Floor Production’s “25 Live” in Los Angeles, CA, and the Capezio ACE Awards in NYC. The JaM Project has also made multiple appearances on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, and “World of Dance” Season 2.
Additionally, Nathan is an active dance instructor and traveling choreographer, teaching workshops and intensives across the U.S. He has been involved in events such as the DC Tapfest, Riff, JaM Camp, KAR, and more. Nathan continues to share his passion for dance to all ages around the country, in hopes of inspiring the next generation of artists to “Keep on Dancin’.”
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr is an artist from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Based out of NYC for nearly a decade, his professional credits include A Celebration of Cole Porter featuring Harry Connick, Jr (Broadway), Tap Dogs (International Tour), Dr. Dolittle featuring Tommy Tune (National Tour), and Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now (National
Aaron Burr is an artist from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Based out of NYC for nearly a decade, his professional credits include A Celebration of Cole Porter featuring Harry Connick, Jr (Broadway), Tap Dogs (International Tour), Dr. Dolittle featuring Tommy Tune (National Tour), and Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now (National Tour).
Burr has also been seen tap dancing on NBC’s World of Dance, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and ABC’s Good Morning America.
Additional credits include Goodspeed Opera House, Marriott Theatre (Chicago), The REV Theatre Co., Holland America Cruise Lines, and Hapag Lloyd Cruise Lines.
Aaron taught weekly at NYC's Broadway Dance Center, and also frequented teaching for The Joffrey, and the Broadway Artist Alliance. Aaron travels on faculty with Endless Talent, Adrenaline, Revive, Intrigue, Dance Machine conventions and more!
Most proudly, Aaron is the founder of the Palmetto Tap, which holds two events annually. Over the summers, Palmetto Tap hosts the Palmetto Tap Intensive: A weekend of tap dance class from world renowned tap dancers, and lots of networking and scholarship opportunity. This event is held annually on the last weekend of July at Starz Dance Connection in Myrtle Beach, SC.
In the winter, Palmetto Tap hosts the Winter Workshop: A 1 day event with classes, performance opportunity, feedback from a highly experienced panel, and a cutting contest with a cash prize! This event is held annually on MLK weekend at Artistry in Motion in Smithfield, NC.
breakdown of our winter workshop
1 DAY WORKSHOP
At Palmetto Tap, our mission is to provide high-quality instruction that inspires and empowers our students to achieve their full potential. Our experienced instructors use a variety of teaching methods to ensure that every student is engaged and challenged within their chosen or auditioned level.
Our winter workshop consists of 5 hours of class from esteemed tap dance instructors from all over the country.
Faculty will be announced at least 1 month prior to the event...stay tuned!
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To submit, please fill out the registration form below.
**IF you wish to ONLY sign up for the workshop,
please be sure check the correct box on the registration form**
CUTTING CONTEST
Originating from jazz culture and a broader musical tradition of improvisational battles, modern cutting contests are a common feature at tap festivals and workshops, serving as a fun way for dancers to develop improvisation skills and test their creativity. The term "cutting" also comes from the broader jazz and music world, where to "cut" another musician meant to outperform them.
What is it?
Dancers, or "cutters," perform on the spot, responding to a given tempo with spontaneous footwork and rhythms.
A crucial element is maintaining the established tempo. If a dancer loses the beat, they may be "cut" (eliminated).
Beyond just timing, dancers aim to show musicality, technical skill, and individual style to "cut" their opponent.
What happens next?
There will be 1 winner picked out of the up to 25 participants. This winner will receive a cutsom pair of GS1 tap shoes by our sponsor, The Dancing Fair, $100 CASH and $50 off their next Palmetto Tap event registration of choice! 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded a David Mann Foundation Scholarship.
___________________________________________________________
To submit, please fill out the registration form below.
Please note that all students taking part in the showcase will also participate in the cutting contest.
Please note that once those 20 slots are filled, registration for the showcase/cutting contest portion of the event, will be closed.
**IF you wish to sign up for the workshop AND showcase,
please be sure check the correct box on the registration form**
SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITY
Students have the opportunity to perform their tap dance solo, or an original tap dance piece, for our seasoned professional instructors.
These instructors will then offer their feedback, immediately following your routine, to aid you in your improvement, both as a tap dancer, and as an artist.
___________________________________________________________
To submit, please fill out the registration form below.
Please note that all students taking part in the showcase will also participate in the cutting contest.
Please note that all performed pieces must be NO longer than 3min in length to provide enough time for the first 20 who sign up, to perform, and for the faculty to have appropriate time to give you ample feedback.
Please note that once those 20 slots are filled, registration for the showcase portion of the event, will be closed.
**IF you wish to sign up for the workshop AND showcase,
please be sure check the correct box on the registration form**