Shuffles students and faculty have been traveling, exploring and enjoying all kinds of adventures this summer. We’re excited to share their stories with you in their own words:
Shelby Kaufman – Tap Teacher & Choreographer
I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to travel and teach tap all over the world this summer! I started off with a wonderful trip to London and Prague followed by a stop in Barcelona to teach a workshop at Luthier Dansa.
Back here in the States I taught a studio intensive in Phenix City, Alabama, theatre jazz and tap at the Chicago National Association of Tap Dance Masters summer convention, my 6th summer at Motor City Tap Festival, which culminated with a performance at Music Hall in Detroit, and right now I’m in Troy, Michigan teaching an intensive at Next Level Dance.
I’ve also been able to sneak in some time to relax with family and friends in the Hamptons and also here in Michigan, which is where I grew up – Dorothy was right…there’s no place like home!
I’ll be back in NYC soon to teach a tap intensive at Shuffles – I can’t wait to reconnect with my students and meet some new ones too!
Isabella Ciriello – Student
“I play classical guitar and a few weeks ago I traveled to Italy to take part in the Lanciano International Guitar Seminar. This one-week festival gave me the chance to study in master classes during the day with some of the best classical guitarists in the world. We performed in various towns for four nights in the most beautiful locations, including a medieval castle! I was able to play as a soloist and also in an ensemble with some of my teachers. It was a great experience and it forced me to really up my game by learning a new piece in a short amount of time and then playing it for an audience the next night. I’m much less intimidated to step out onto that stage now; preparation if everything!”