Stl Rhythm Collaborative

STL Rhythm Collaborative is a registered 501c3 nonprofit arts organization. STL Rhythm Collaborative presents dance and music education programs for all ages, free community engagement events for the whole family, and professionally produced productions, featuring the the performance ensembles of moSTLy TAP and moSTLy JAZZ. Learn more about our team of professional educators, performers, and meet our Board of Directors by visiting our website: www.stlrhythmcollaborative.org

Education:

STL Rhythm Collaborative has a growing music and dance education program, with instruction by our area's most experienced educators. Our Dance and Music Education Program is our largest initiative and includes the following opportunities:
Pre-Professional Training:
For the young artist aspiring to a professional career in the performing arts, the Collaborative presents an annual pre-professional training intensive. Students, accepted through an audition, work with our professional performance ensembles and special guest artists, studying technique, music theory, improvisation, and learn original choreography that they perform at the conclusion of the intensive.
In-School Programs:
In 2021, STL Rhythm Collaborative developed and presented free in-school dance education programs for grades K-12. The program is designed to provide performing arts education to elementary through high school aged students who may not otherwise have access to arts programs. Program activities include interactive classes which combine music theory and a variety of dance disciplines, including: tap, ballet, and jazz. Through rhythm, students learn about the performing arts, physical health, and how to express emotions in a healthy way.
Dance Classes and Camps:
STL Rhythm Collaborative hosts weekly dance and wellness classes for teens and adults, which cover beginner through advanced levels. Classes offered include Pilates, meditation, jazz dance and tap dance. Camps are presented during the summer months and are designed to suit children of all skill levels. Students participate in a variety of activities including classes in ballet, tap, and jazz dance, music theory, and music and dance history.
STL Rhythm Fest:
STL Rhythm Fest is an annual, 2.5 event that brings internationally renowned master instructors to St. Louis to lead a comprehensive program of residency activities. The event includes more than 20 workshops, a jam session, and a panel discussion. Activities will focus on sharing the history & artistry of tap dance.

Professional Performance Ensembles:

STL Rhythm Collaborative produces professional dance and live music performances through our moSTLy TAP and moSTLy JAZZ ensembles. In October 2021, the ensembles presented their self-produced premiere of IN DUE TIME: A Live Music & Tap Dance Tribute to The Dave Brubeck Quartet to rave reviews.
Since its debut, an excerpt of the production has been commissioned to be presented in July 2022 at the internationally renowned Rhythm World Festival in Chicago, IL, presented by Chicago Human Rhythm Project. The production has also been presented by The Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, IL and will be presented in 2023 by Missouri Baptist University.
moSTLy TAP & moSTLy JAZZ are currently the only professional ensembles in the St. Louis area presenting this type of collaboration between live music and tap dance. In September 2021, Ladue News featured our organization as one of "The St. Louis Metro Area's Leaders in Music," and St. Louis Magazine praised the production for bringing "tap and jazz together through Brubeck's complicated rhythms".
In addition to presenting their own original works, the ensembles often collaborate with local nonprofit organizations, such as CommUNITY Arts STL and The Salvation Army, to present performances at community events, fundraisers, and festivals.

Community Engagement:

Free community engagement events are made available for all ages to gather together, celebrate music and dance, meet new artists, and inspire collaboration. Activities include history and footage events. Through the presentation and discussion of historical dance and music footage, individuals learn about pivotal artists who made noteable contributions to the art forms of music and dance. Monthly jam sessions encourage musicians and dancers to gather, celebrating the connection and communication of music and dance through improvisation. Jam sessions provide a comfortable, accessible atmosphere for the dance and music communities to connect while creating an opportunity to enjoy as an audience member.