Sarah Reich a Future Star
Seventeen year old high school senior, Sarah Reich, a small package of dynamite talent, explodes where ever she dances. Her unique style causes her to stand out from all other dancers in any group. She dances in a deep plie (bent knees) that gives her a different look and enables her to move higher on the dramatic accents. Her smile and personality top it all off.
Harold Cromer recognizes the talent of Sarah.
For the second year at the St. Louis Tap Festival, Sarah has assisted tap master and legend, Harold Cromer, who thinks she is absolutely wonderful and appreciates her assistance and talent. "Last year I didn't know I was going to assist Harold Cromer," Sarah recalled. "He saw me the first day and remembered that I had learned his number, "Opus One," in New York and asked me to assist him. This year it was planned and was the main reason I was at the festival. I love the family vibe there. Everything is in the hotel. I love walking into the restaurant and the lobby and the waiting room outside the classes and seeing Jimmy Slyde, Prince Spencer, Harold Cromer and Arthur Duncan. They are so accessible and are very open about sharing any of their life experiences. Being on your panel, Melba, was the most important night of my life. It was my first time on a panel and it was an amazing experience. Your topic was very deep. I couldn't believe I was sitting there with all these great teachers." She is grateful to Robert Reed for making all this happen.
Dr. Prince Spencer agrees with Cromer
Dr. Prince Spencer agrees with Cromer and says that Sarah reminds him of Lois from "The Miller Brothers" act. This year John Kloss, a well known tap teacher from California, taught a "Miller Brothers and Lois" tap number. Sarah, Lee Howard and Nico Rubio from MADD Rhythms in Chicago performed the dance at the theatre. Many years have gone by since this the creation of this number, but it is still a sensational dance and proved to be one of the best in the show. "I enjoyed performing this number with Nico and Lee, and also the number with Jeannie Hill's group that performed "Laura" that was choreographed by the late Buster Brown," commented Sarah.
Dr. Prince Spencer gave Sarah and Logan Miller some special coaching on slides between classes. The master tap dancers enjoy seeing all the talents of the youth. When they see dancers like Logan and Sarah, they enjoy and are generous to all in passing on some of their steps and trade secrets.
Sarah's early training with Paul Kennedy
At age 10, Sarah began her serious tap with the late Paul Kennedy and became a member of The Kennedy Tap Company. "I consider Paul my first real tap teacher. He taught me stage presence and movement, and how to use my upper body and arms. He taught me how to look out and smile and enjoy what I did. Showmanship. One of my favorite memories of Paul is at the end of the class when I would go up to him to say goodbye, he would say, 'Sarah, you are going to be a star.'"
This year at the student performance, Sarah dedicated her dance number, "Fine and Dandy," to Paul. It was the last dance he taught her before his death. Zelde Malevitz, L.A. tap dancer, musician and regular at the Kennedy studio, commented "Taking her tap dancing to the next level, Sarah Reich recently performed a heart-felt tribute to her teacher Paul Kennedy while at the annual St. Louis Tap Festival. The dance choreographed and taught by Mr. Kennedy morphed into an improv in praise and thanks to the beloved dancer, teacher and choreographer."
Training continues with Jason Samuels Smith
After Paul Kennedy died, Sarah began studying tap with Jason Samuels Smith and became a member of his group "Anybody Can Get It." "Jason opened my eyes to improv and I attended those Monday night sessions at Debbie Allen's Dance Academy. He helped me understand rhythm and music. The other teachers who helped me were Denise Scheerer and Steve Zee," said Sarah. She is also a member of Steve Zee's "LA Iron Works."
Sarah's awards, jobs, performances, and recognition
In 2004 Sarah was featured in Mike Wittmer's instructional tap video, "The World is My Drum." She was featured in "20 Hot Tappers Under 20" in Dance Spirit Magazine. Sarah received The Performing Artist of the Year award at the 2005 OMNI Awards.
Sarah has performed in the Getty Museum, the Ford Amphitheatre, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Madrid Theatre, Temple Bar, African Market Place, and the Nosotros' Golden Eagle Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and at the NYC, Twin Cities, Chicago, St. Louis, and Los Angeles Tap Festivals.
Sarah is grateful to her parents for their support and is especially appreciative of her father, Paul, who takes her to the special tap events. She teaches in a small studio in her home to share the art form that she loves with others. Sarah Reich has a deep passion for tap and tap has a great future in store for her.
Visit Melbasdance.com for 19 years of tap columns plus a view of Melba's Dance Facility.