By AISHATU SAID
Reporter
(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Jason Samuels Smith is one of the tap world’s most renowned leaders and a master at his craft.
Smith received multiple awards for his performances, choreography and directing. He’s even won an Emmy. Smith performed Sept. 24 in Hendricks Hall as part of UCM’s Performing Arts Series.
Scott Lubaroff, chair of the music department and the director of bands, said he tried to create two things when he was booking acts for the PAS.
“We were trying to create a series with performers – internationally renowned performers – that demonstrate and represent a diverse range, performing genres, styles, even contemporary verses classic,” Lubaroff said. “We were trying to bring depth to the series so that it is possible to create opportunities for us to engage with students in our department, students across campus, faculty across campus, and even out here in the community.”
Lubaroff said Smith is a legend at what he does.
“He is at the top of his profession and represents the best there is so we have been having him do master classes and talks with the university dance classes and local dance studio,” Lubaroff said.
Lubaroff said student dancers will perform on stage with Smith one night, and UCM’s jazz ensemble will be a part of Smith’s performance.
“We have our student jazz combo accompanying him for the concert, and actually some of the music they’ll be performing was arranged by our music students, the jazz students, and so it really represented a totally different kind of engaged learning,” Lubaroff said. “(Students) may never have the opportunity to see a performer of this caliber again.”
As Smith tapped around the stage his skill was apparent yet he made it seem as if tap dancing was effortless.
The audience was enraptured with his footwork, smiling and clapping not only because of his skill but because of his obvious enjoyment of his craft. During a number, eight UCM student dancers accompanied Smith on stage, each having a turn to do a solo as a way of seemingly introducing themselves to the audience.
Brooke Myers, senior musical theater major, was one of the dancers who tap danced with Smith. Myers said she loved the show.
“Oh my gosh, it was amazing,” Myers said. “He just, his feet dance across the floor, and it’s like they don’t even touch. It’s crazy.”
Myers said it was great working with Smith.
“He’s an awesome teacher and has loads of experience and knowledge in the field, and it’s just been very enlightening and awesome to work with him,” she said.
Myers said she was really happy about being able to dance onstage with Smith.
“It’s like, I mean, I was dancing with a legend, so to get