Manu Collins
At the early age of 12, she gained experience in Freestyle Ballroom Dancing. At 20, busied herself intensively with Modern and Jazz Dance. After a few years she discovered her talent and love of Tap Dancing. Predestined for this dance form, through her musicality and her easy style of movement, she developed quickly into a solid and fortified tap dancer. Her style concentrates around what is commonly called "Rhythm Tap", which was developed in the U.S.A. and primarily taught by teachers of older generations. Among those with whom she had the opportunity to study are: Carnell Lyons, Buster Brown, Honi Coles and Chuck Green Her mentor, Brenda Bufalino, influenced her the most.In years of professional experience, she has developed her own dance-pedagogic and is continues to follow her own style. Since 1994 she is a member of ITDO (International Tap Dance Orchestra) under the direction of Brenda Bufalino. Presently, she is working intensively on her "TAP AHEAD" Project, in which music and dance compositions in both traditional and modern arrangements combine to a dynamic tap dance show spanning the musical spectrum from Jazz to Hip-Hop. Regularly she conducts workshops and tap dance performances. With the support of the Office for Kultur, in Fuerth, she has produced different projects within the past three years:
- "Hip JAZZ TAP Affair" (Steptanz Ensemble and Band)
- "Tap Ahead" Performances (Tap Dance Trio and Band)
- "Drum, Bass and Tap" (an experimental duet)