Chris Collins Dance Studio

"Andrew Nemr is one of the tap dancers who will help move the form
forward into the New Millennium. His skills are true and richly expressive."
- Gregory Hines

Andrew Nemr put on his first pair of tap shoes at Chris Collins Dance Studio, and has hardly taken them off since! From teaching at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, in New York City, to being the Artistic Director and Lead Dancer of CPD PLUS (Cats Paying Dues), you could safely bet that Andrew is passionate about his art. Not only is Andrew an accomplished soloist and group performer, he is also an incredible resource of tap history. The Tap Dance Legacy Foundation, co-founded by Andrew and Gregory Hines in 2002, is committed to preserving the history of the art of tap dancing, while also striving to to ensure that tap continues to flourish in the future. And his tap company, CPD PLUS has been seen on ABC, NBC, and even ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ! The Chris Collins Dance Studio was honored to have Andrew come back to where it all began, and perform as a soloist in our 30th Anniversary Showtime in 2006. Andrew has also come to the studio in recent years to teach master tap classes to current students. Whether it is coming to perform, or coming to teach, the outcome is always the same - Andrew truly inspires!

Recently, Andrew agreed to answer a few questions for an exclusive interview for Chris Collins Dance Studio.

CCDS: Why did you first start tapping?
AN: I began dancing at age 3 1/2, in one of those combined tap/ballet/tumbling classes, with Mr. Chris. Our first recital number was "I won't grow up," to which I think I still have the costume somewhere.

CCDS: Did you do any other forms of dance besides tap?
AN: Sure, I studied ballet, jazz, and gymnastics. Gymnastics was the first to go, and once I saw the movie TAP, my ballet and jazz training fell by the wayside as well.

CCDS: Is there any subject that you wish you had taken as a student?
AN: I wish I had started earlier on real music theory, and a solid Bible study course. But I don't believe one ever stops being a student, so I'm working on getting those subjects under my belt.

CCDS: Tell us a little bit about your company, CPD PLUS.
CPD PLUS is a tap dance company. We've been around for almost 4 years. We tell stories of love, relationships, honor, always with remembrance of the roots of the art form and our related gifts. CPD PLUS was just recently awarded a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts to present a new repertoire of classic tap dance material, like Bill Bojangles Robinson's Stair Dance, so we're working on that right now.

CCDS: What has been the most memorable performance you've given, and why?
AN: That's a tough question. There have been so many memorable moments, but as far as solo performances I'd have to pick two: One was my first solo performance in New York City at the Tap Extravaganza in 1998, when Bunny Briggs was being honored. It was held at Town Hall, which is a historic theater well known in the jazz world. It was an amazing feeling to be in a theater for such an honorable reason and to contribute to his night. The second was a performance I was a part of in Grenoble, France. It was a hip-hop festival in a theater of about 3000 people. It was the first time I was able to do a self-portrait style performance, just my story, and the hip-hop cats appreciated it, so that felt good....to be able to connect with an audience that may not know your art form...

CCDS: If you could do a duet with any tapper, past or present, who would it be?
AN: Gregory Hines.

CCDS: What dancer do you most admire, and why?
AN: This is tough. I admire a number of dancers past and present, for their contributions to the form, and many of them have contributed greatly to the dancer that I am. However I think the combination of talent, purpose, and spirit of Gregory Hines has not been equaled in my lifetime. I didn't get a chance to meet Sammy Davis, Jr., but he would be another.

I should say that all the older cats are simply amazing to me. Having lived through a time which was not necessarily kind to them, they all found a way to do what they do, affect peoples lives, and enjoy their own, and that is truly admirable.

CCDS: Any upcoming performances?
AN: A couple things are coming up. The Tap Legacy Foundation, Inc. will be celebrating its 7th Anniversary on February 14, 2009. I will be performing with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra in February as well. And CPD PLUS is preparing to debut a completely new repertoire....no dates yet...but soon....

CCDS: Any advice for our dancers?
AN: Henry LeTang said once "We do it because we love it." - That for me has been a continual guiding light. Love what you do, if that is the case all the work becomes a little easier, the decisions a little simpler.

Also, learn the history. In whatever you do, there will have been people who have traveled similar paths that may able (even simply in their example) to provide guidance or support. But above all love what you do. It will show.