Third Coast Rhythm Project presents, promotes and fosters a greater understanding of American tap dance by producing world-class educational forums, community outreach programs, and concerts, building bridges between diverse communities of dancers and audience members. TCRP is dedicated to preserving traditional choreography,
creating new work through local, national and international collaborati
ons, and by giving scholarships to deserving young dancers and teachers to study every summer with the masters of their craft. The Project invests energy and financial resources into the San Antonio community to assure the mission’s long term viability, preserving and promoting the American Art of Tap Dance, simultaneously nurturing new and innovative approaches to this icon of American Culture. Founded in 1998 by Barbara Phillips, Third Coast Rhythm Project began as the first National Tap Dance Celebration to be held in San Antonio, TX., with a single concert performance at the Carver Community Cultural Arts Center, and master classes held around the city with tap master Lane Alexander leading the way. In the same year, Third Coast began development of an annual Summer Tap Festival with a mission to sustain a world-class tap and percussive dance festival in the Southwest. Now in our 15th season, the festival is a nationally recognized annual summer festival that attracts dancers, teachers, choreographers, musicians, and rhythm enthusiasts to San Antonio each summer, to study, share, and celebrate this icon of American culture. The annual festival event features National and International master teachers and contemporary artists in a 4 day educational program of classes, courses, archive film showings, open jam sessions, panel discussions, and gala concert performance featuring the distinguished Third Coast faculty, and the best jazz musicians in the Southwest.
