Dancer, choreographer and Creative Director Jesse Rasmussen has always had a natural affinity and passion for his craft. Predominantly a tap dancer (though he is equally at home in other styles), his enthusiasm for life and affable manner is infectious, which is why tapping seems to suit him so well.
Known for his crisp, mind-blowing technique, Rasmussen is an incredibly virtuosic performer. Bringing style, panache and a twinkle in his eye, he combines sheer talent with charisma and unwavering skill.
A natural born teacher, Rasmussen’s ability to break things down simply with an easy smile and upbeat connection with other dancers makes him a joy to take class with. His workshop tours have filled studios all over the country and abroad, making him one of the tap industry’s most in-demand choreographers. Tappers young and old flock to enjoy his particular brand of rhythm.
So, it is little wonder that the co-creator of award-winning show, The Tap Pack, which has been drawing packed houses all over the globe for more than a decade and is appearing later this month on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide, has decided to create his own syllabus.
Teaming up with international syllabus organisation Comdance, The Jesse Rasmussen Tap Syllabus will connect a new generation of tap enthusiasts with the contemporary street style direction the art form has taken in more recent years. Dance Informa sat down to talk to Rasmussen and Diane Gepp, Director of Comdance, to find out more.
Jesse, tell us about your own dance training and how that differs from the tap style that is reflected in today’s tap culture.
“My dance training includes a variety of styles such as tap, jazz, hip hop and musical theatre, which has given me a solid foundation in technique and body movement. When I first began learning tap dance, my focus was primarily on the traditional style. I fell in love with classic films featuring legends like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and The Nicholas Brothers.
With the advent of YouTube, my understanding of the art form and tap dance culture grew as it became significantly more accessible. My passion for tap really blossomed as I discovered the incredible masters of the last few decades, such as Gregory Hines, Jason Samuels Smith, Savion Glover, Sarah Reich, Melinda Sullivan and many others.
I began traveling internationally to enhance my knowledge by attending some of the finest tap dance festivals in the world. Tap dance is an art form that is best passed down from one person to another, and it’s through learning from the greats — who themselves learned from previous masters — that you truly grasp the essence of tap dance culture.”
You co-created the hit show The Tap Pack with Thomas Egan, Jordan Pollard and Nigel Turner-Carroll. How does this show appeal to tap audiences and devotees of more traditional styles and remain so successfully relevant for tap enthusiasts today?
“Our goal was to create a production that resonates with both tap audiences and fans of more traditional styles. The show cleverly intertwines the nostalgia of the Rat Pack era, which is intimately connected to the golden age of tap dance, with a modern twist that keeps it relevant for today’s enthusiasts. The Rat Pack are iconic, they symbolize a time when live performance was at its peak, and tap dance played a significant role in entertainment. By incorporating elements that celebrate this classic era — such as the vibrant energy, sophisticated style and charismatic performances — we create a familiar touchstone for the audience. However, we also infuse the show with fresh choreography, innovative tricks and some contemporary flair that has seemed to captivate audiences and hopefully breathe new life into the art form for them.”
What made you decide now to create your own syllabus?
“I felt it was the right time to develop a tap syllabus that is both current and applicable to today’s audience. The landscape of tap dance is evolving, and it’s important to provide a resource that reflects current trends and techniques.
Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about what resonates with students and how to effectively teach the nuances of tap. I want to pass on this knowledge to the next generation of dancers and teachers, ensuring they both have the tools they need to thrive and find their own unique connection to the dance.
Working with Comdance to offer a syllabus that combines traditional foundations with innovative approaches, we can inspire young dancers to explore their creativity and express themselves fully through tap. Ultimately, we hope to cultivate a vibrant and enduring tap community that honours its history while embracing the future.”
What is different about your syllabus compared to other programs on the market?
“As a learning tool, The Jesse Rasmussen Tap Syllabus stands out from other programs on the market due to an approach that encompasses both striking and closeup visual presentation and professional production quality. Our resources are clear and accessible to watch and look as current as our syllabus is.
Partnering with Comdance is a joy, and I’m excited to connect this offering with their membership in grass roots studios all over the world.
The syllabus itself emphasizes technique, performance and creativity, offering a well rounded training experience for dancers. With a total of 10 levels and over 280 tap exercises, it provides a rich array of resources for learners and educators. In addition to foundational techniques, the syllabus includes engaging building blocks, dynamic tap routines, tap history and opportunities for ensemble work, all designed to foster creativity through fun improvisation and jamming exercises.
The program is suitable for both young dancers and advanced practitioners, ensuring that it meets the needs of a wide range of students excited about tap. By focusing on these key elements, the syllabus not only teaches the art of tap but also encourages dancers to express themselves and develop their unique style which I’m passionate about.”
Diane, Comdance already has a successful and long running tap program. What made you want to work with Jesse on a new one?
“The current tap syllabus is a fantastic foundation in traditional tapping rhythms. It was created in 2014, and is still very relevant today. Many of the stage artists today have been bought up on our traditional tap work. However, the reason Comdance has been so successful for over 90 years is our ability to recognize new trends and offer a diverse range of syllabi to our members.
Jesse’s reputation as an artist and his vast experience led Comdance to be very excited at the opportunity to collaborate with him. The street tap style is very popular, and the fact we can diversify the technique available to dancers and teachers made it irresistible.”
When will the syllabus be available for teachers, and how can they access it?
“The syllabus is exclusively available through Comdance. We invite teachers who are not members to take up membership. The information is on our website and is very easy to complete. We welcome all teachers. Membership is very affordable.
The syllabus will be available through our members portal and once purchased, there are no ongoing fees or subscriptions required to use it. Examinations will be offered in Primary, Grade 1 and Grade 5 in 2025. The rest of the syllabus will be rolled out in 2026.
Jesse will be conducting teacher and student workshops throughout January and February around Australia. All information can be located on the Comdance website and on our Instagram page.”
Jesse, how will this syllabus change the way we think about tap in Australia, and make us better dancers?
“I believe the syllabus has the potential to transform our perception of tap in Australia. By integrating a broader understanding of tap dance that aligns with global trends, we can cultivate a more versatile and globally employable dancer.
The curriculum not only emphasises traditional techniques but also encourages a connection with other styles, particularly those prominent in the US. And the fusion allows dancers to embrace their own distinctly local flavour while enhancing their ability to flourish in a range of performance and employment environments.
I’m hoping that by adopting this approach, it will not only elevate Australia’s tap skills but also foster a deeper appreciation for the art form, ultimately leading to a ever growing vibrant and dynamic tap community in Australia.”
What’s next for you?
“I’m excited to start on my Tap Syllabus workshop tour scheduled for January 2025, where I’ll be working with teachers and dancers in studios to introduce them to the syllabus. Then we’ll be working on the second phase launch of the syllabus as Diane mentioned.
I’ve been invited back to the amazing Victorian Dance Festival in May, and can’t wait to work with the huge array of talented and aspiring dancers that attend VDF. And I’m thrilled to share that there are some exciting new tour dates in the works for The Tap Pack, both here in Australia and internationally. So, all year long I’ll be embracing some fantastic opportunities to engage directly with dancers, teachers and audiences and spread the joy of tap!”
If you are keen to sample Jesse Rasmussen’s style, you can check out the new Jesse Rasmussen Tap Syllabus at Comdance. And look out for the man himself on stage with The Tap Pack.
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