Teaching
Whether teaching novices or skilled performers, dancers, musicians, or actors; I approach my work with an overarching commitment to raising awareness, building community, and empowering with compassion and respect.
“She tiptoes, skids and brushes, gently paring away at the floor, coaxing out the sounds through terrifically seasoned technique... We happily remember, thanks to Katherine Kramer, that jazz dance (which today lies in the realm of the body) and tap dance (in the feet) all used to be one, big happy family.”
SERIOUS FUN - Classes start again in April, 2025
A movement class for adults. Drawing on a broad-ranging background of dance training, from modern, jazz and tap to social dance, pilates and yoga, and improvisation. The goal will be to connect with our bodies and others in a playful and musical way, in order to increase our flexibility, balance, coordination, strength and self-confidence. Open to all adults.
INTERMEDIATE TAP CLASS - Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:45 pm. $20. per class. Classes will start again in April.
A multi-level Intermediate class exploring the “Art of the Shuffle.”
From the basics of brush and spank to the nuance of musical scales, the class will learn phrases, classic dances, develop technique and explore improvisation.
Int/Adv Tap Class taught by Katherine Kramer
Saturday, April 26, 2025. Tap Central, NYC
https://www.tapdancecentral.org/team-3
The Footsteps and Footwork of Tap Master, Ralph Brown. What were the steps he took to becoming a successful tap dancer and what did they sound like?
Katherine’s own history in tap goes back to NY in the 1970s, during which time she had the great pleasure of studying for 2 years with Ralph Brown. She first heard Ralph, in his hot pink tap shoes, at an event organized by Jane Goldberg at the Village Vanguard in 1978. After moving to NY in 1931 and becoming a regular at the Hoofer’s Club, Ralph went on to working at the Cotton Club, where he performed and toured with Cab Calloway for many years. He performed as well with Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington, among others, and was a member of “The Original Hoofers.” Ralph performed in films, and on Broadway in “Black and Blue.” His enthusiasm for tap was infectious!!!
Katherine has kept his material alive in her repertory since that time and is committed to sharing both his history and artistry.
Master Classes & Workshops
photographed by Michael Estanich
Master classes (1 - 2 hours long) or lengthier workshops (3 - 6 hours) can be focused on a single dance form or be designed to address a topic or performative aspect of dance.
Katherine offers Tap Master Classes, Workshops, and Teacher Training Sessions. She can share the work and influences of her early mentors, Honi Coles, Brenda Bufalino, Copasetics, as well as her own choreography and whole body technical work.
Community Classes
photographed by amber arnold, wisconsin state journal
Residencies
Residencies can be designed to include classes, choreography and performance, and can range from 2 days to 2 weeks long.
Examples include Dance and Social Justice Residency at the University of Rochester, Sitka Jazz Festival School Residency in Tap.
Retreats & Creative Exchanges
Katherine is available to design and facilitate a variety of unique creative exchanges. These can be designed for dance companies, faculty, multi-disciplinary arts groups, corporate or community entities.