NAME: Aaron Tolson

OCCUPATION: Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor

I jump feet first into my work. I am a tap dance instructor, performer, and choreographer, and—together with my voice—I use my feet to champion the art form, promote it worldwide, and share it with others.

Tap is my life. I choreograph, produce, and direct a number of programs and shows, as well as perform and teach around the United States and internationally. As a teacher, I take the role of directive leader, as students come to me from all over the world for instruction on how to learn the art of tap. This type of dance is very popular throughout Europe and also in Russia and in Japan, so I have the pleasure of working with a varied group of international students. Beyond my dance expertise, I also share my own stories of failings and successes in order to help my students navigate the complex (and sometimes difficult) world of professional dance.

I read my classes for their learning style, observe their nonverbal behavior, and adapt my leadership approach accordingly. The pace and tempo of the classes vary, as well as my leadership behaviors. For example, with older students I’m less sarcastic and with younger groups I use more humor.

I’ve been interested in dance since the age of ten. I also ran track and was able to get a track scholarship to college, where I earned an undergraduate degree in communication. During my time there, I also focused on looking for opportunities to dance wherever I could. By my senior year, I landed a place in the New York Shakespeare Festival tap program, Funk U!

After college, I became a company member in Manhattan Tap. My big break came when I was chosen for a featured role in Riverdance. I toured with Riverdance for six years as a soloist and dance captain of an extremely talented and motivated group. We performed at Radio City Music Hall, on Broadway, at NBA games, and on stages around the world.

Having become a leader in the tap community, I was made national spokesman for SóDança, a professional dancewear company. Since I was chosen for my expertise, I appreciate the opportunity to try out their tap shoes and offer ideas to make them even better. I’ve even gotten the chance to help design a pink shoe that represents my daughter. I met my wife when choreographing her tap number for the Miss America Pageant, so I have dance to thank for the two most important ladies in my life.

In an effort to enhance and develop tap opportunities for aspiring dancers, I helped to create Speaking in Taps, a preprofessional company designed to teach youth, as well as Tap2You, a program that offers classes and tap competitions (which I started with a business partner, Derick Grant). Through all these endeavors, I strive to emphasize the rhythm, musicality, and timing of tap with a strong focus on performance and education. I hope to inspire others to do what I did: jump feet first into a dancing career.