RHYTHM TAP HALL OF FAME, INC.

 About Us:

Lee Mays, Founder/CEO of Rhythm Tap Hall of Fame, was approached in 1999 by, Ron Gill, tap dance artist & instructor,  and was asked if she would promote him as a Tap Dancer.  Not being sure about the resurgence of tap, Lee explored the internet and noticed there were no local dance studios teaching rhythm tap dancing, and there was no registered Hall of Fame that represented Tap Dancers, which is an art form over one hundred years old.   Lee Mays presently serve the community as an Independent Consultant, TV Producer, choreographer, and entertainment promoter.
 
The domain "rhythmtaphalloffame.org" was established in'1999.  With the great need for after school programs, rhythm tap classes were started in local Park and Recreations Centers, Group Homes, and Schools.  The rhythm tap project was under the Artship Foundation, our fiscal sponsor.  Rhythm Tap Hall of Fame owes gratitude and support from Slobodan Dan Patch founder of the Artship Foundation, and his staff for believing in our mission.

With the help of volunteers,  rhythm tap dance classes were held in the Recreations Centers in East, North, & West Oakland, and in Group Homes to make commuting easier for the parents. These classes are unique in that the history of the art form was taught through audio visual prior to tap instruction.  The organization was awarded its 501c3 status in the year '2000, and have been promoting all forms of dance, and providing educational programs for youth, adults, and seniors.  During the year '2000, a Tap Dance Instructor Workshop was taught by " Skip Cunningham", Master Tap Dancer, to increase instructors for upcoming class projects. 

The Archives program is focused on the preservation of the history of traditional dance.  In America through the compilation of books, periodicals, photographs, newspaper clippings, audio and visual tapes,  donations of memoralbilia from the innovators, pioneers and performers of this unique genre, and the demonstration of the way rhythm tap as an art form helped  to define the true essence of Americana.  The organization presently have donations of books, periodicals, audio visuals, and tap dance shoes inducted into their Hall of Fame.  We look forward in inducting additional items into our Hall of Fame, and awarding our artists to keep the artform alive!!

We are presently seeking to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors, and Advisory Boards.  If you would like to participate on the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, or Volunteer Committee, please fill out the form and submit  .  Next meeting: Saturday January 28, 2012.  African American Museum & Library, 649 14th St, downtown Oakland at 1pm.