Winston Morrison

‘Tapping Porch Thoughts’

For as long as I can remember, tap has graced its energetic presence throughout my life. From The Muppet Show, Young Talent Time and during my adult years watching some classic movies including Swing Time (1936) starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers through to Jamie Bell tapping out his frustration against bricks walls in the global hit film, Billy Elliott (2000) – yes, tap has provided years of artistic entertainment in its majestic form.

The Australian Tap Dance Festival (ATDF) is the largest hub of tap dance in the southern hemisphere and is again set to dazzle audiences when it kicks off in Melbourne from 21-27 September. On his Tap Porch in Melbourne, I caught up Winston Morrison who is regarded as Australia’s leader of Tap Dance and is the founder of MelbourneTap.com and Director of the ATDF.

Winston explained that the ATDF is the only event of its kind in Australasia and the will welcome some of the biggest tap professionals from both overseas and from around Australia. The festival will celebrate Tap Dance through a series of public evening events including a Tap Dance Film Night, a Jam Night with live musicians, Cutting Competitions, Capezion Dance Off, student masterclasses and a Tap Dance Festival Showcase.

You are a renowned tap performer around the world. You are also a teacher; tap magazine columnist and appeared on radio, television and have taught tap at New York’s Broadway Dance Centre and Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. When did you discover you love for tap?

As a 10 year-old I was influenced by Tap Dogs. I still remember the first professional tap performance I saw on TV: Savion Glover performed in an episode of Sesame Street. It was full of energy and excitement. I knew straight away I wanted to dance like that!

Who are some of your Tap influences as both a performer and a teacher?

My style is influenced by the old time greats and contemporary tap leaders including Grant Swift, Derek Grant, Andrew Nemr, Jared Grimes, Michelle Dorrance, Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Dianne Walker, Savion Glover and Gregory Hines.

This is now the second Australian Tap Dance Festival. What is the aim of the festival?

Essentially we bring the best tap dancers in the world to Melbourne to enable anyone and everyone to observe, participate or otherwise enjoy the energy, skill and excitement. It’s headed by an incredible team of talented professionals, with an exciting variety of events which has people travelling from overseas, interstate and locally to be a part of it.

Why does the festival appeal to so many varying age groups ?

This is the only opportunity of its caliber in the southern hemisphere to have such a large community participate or observe world-standard professional tap dancing. It provides access and raises awareness of people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to experience authentic tap dancing as it was in its hey-day back in the 1940’s.

There are some big names and international guests coming to Melbourne to be part of the festival including Ayodele Casel from the USA who has performed in the White House and Madison Square Garden and has appeared in major films and TV shows. How did you meet Ayodele?

I met Ayodele as a student in one of her classes at the New York City Tap Festival, and was inspired by her slightly Latin style. She is one of the best tap dancers and is great female role model for aspiring dancers.

Who are some of the other the headline acts?

Along with Ayodele, Canada’s Travis Knights and Tanya Rivard, Avalon Rathgeb from the UK will be performing and Thomas Wadelton will represents both the USA and Australia. Chris Horsey and Shane Preston will represent the faculty of Australian teachers and professional dancers.

What’s one major highlight that audiences will be amazed to see?

One special treat involves a song, dance and cane routine performance of Me and My Shadow by Chris Horsey of 42nd Street, Hot Shoe Shuffle and Tap Dogs.

What is your Porch Thought For The Day?

“My favourite quote is from Ayodele Casel. “Nothing to prove, everything to share.”