RHYTHM ON THE ROAD
Jack Scarlett is the founder and director of RHYTHM ON THE ROAD. We specialize in rhythm tap and introducing dancers to tap dancing to all genres of music, especially jazz and older popular music. We focus on increasing technique while instilling a sense of timing and musicality – skills that can be difficult to master and are very important for optimum performances and competitions.
Not everyone has the time or resources to travel to out-of-town training such as
conventions or tap festivals. We believe that it’s important that all dancers have an
opportunity to learn from different teachers and have the same experience as the dancers
who travel, without the added expense. It’s much more cost effective for one or two people
to travel than for an entire group. It’s also much more cost effective when a group is
sharing for the travel of one or two people rather than one dancer and their parent or
guardian paying their entire travel expenses to go to a festival or other training.
When attending a competition “bonus class” or a full convention, dancers who aren’t
confident in themselves, blend into the back of the convention ballroom and hope to not be
noticed. In order to benefit and grow from those classes, dancers have to be upfront and
close to the faculty and in the middle of the “best” dancers. We teach in a way that instills
confidence in trying new steps and not being concerned about what the other dancers think. We teach in a way that helps dancers quickly pick up choreography which is really important in convention classes.
My goal is for dancers who have had difficulties in tap, to leave the class feeling like this is
the best class they’ve ever had and finding joy in tap dancing. For advanced dancers, we like to help them overcome any challenges they may have with a difficult step or technique and reach a new level of self-confidence.
Our greatest hope for each students is that they carry with them the resilience to face
challenges both in and out of the studio, the ability to express themselves through
movement, and a deeper appreciation for the art form's history, dance’s power, and the
endless possibilities it can have in the world today. By fostering a community of respect,
growth, and collaboration, we believe a space where each dancer can thrive, truly believe in
their own abilities, and be encouraged to their potential can be created.