Thank you for your interest in the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble
Thank you for considering the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) for your performance, workshop, or educational programming! We can't wait to meet you.
This page provides more information about our Company including programming and performance options, videos, testimonials and reviews, social media links, and a form to request information or book your show.
For over 40 years, our dancers have connected with, inspired, and educated audiences at home and abroad. Contact Emily Jane Acree, NCYTE Company Manager, to personalize your package and bring a one-of-a-kind program or performance to YOUR theatre, school, organization, or community!
Meet NCYTE
NCYTE features talented youth performers, aged 8-18, who are dedicated to sharing and celebrating tap dance and percussive dance forms. Founded in 1983, by Gene Medler (recipient of the North Carolina Dance Alliance Annual Award, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's JUBA Award, and the 2024 Flo-bert Award), NCYTE supports training, fosters the creativity of aspiring young dancers, and welcomes all to this amazing art form, by spreading the joy of tap dance.
Today, under the direction of Emily Shoemaker, NCYTE alumna and highly sought after tap educator and choreographer, NCYTE continues to inspire and delight audiences young and old. Over the last 40+ years, this Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based Company has cultivated a peerless reputation of excellence in the tap dance world, with frequent invitations to perform and educate at home and abroad. NCYTE has expanded programming beyond performances to include a variety of educational and community outreach events, including the annual North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival, now in its 25th year.
To honor Gene Medler's vision of ensuring equitable access to tap dance education, NCYTE has never collected dues or fees from dancers. The Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, earning operating revenues through performance and workshop fees, grants, and charitable donations.
"It's (NCYTE's) national reputation is secure as a tap-dance hothouse that’s produced more than its fair share of luminaries in tap since its beginnings in the 1980s."
- The Indy
RAVE REVIEW
"The skill, the talent, the ENTHUSIASM, and the warmth and love between dancers was awe-inspiring."
- Audience Member (2024)
RAVE REVIEW
What We Offer
Full Length Productions:
Let us delight and inspire you with a full-length theatrical production featuring a mix of repertoire pieces and new choreography. With tap dance and music, NCYTE takes audiences of all ages on a journey they will not forget. You won't be able to resist the urge to clap, dance, and cheer. But, don't worry. We encourage it!
NCYTE's full-length productions are perfect for small to mid-size theatres. Ask about add-on programming options and workshops for performances hosted in conjunction with arts schools, universities, or dance/theater programs!
Includes:
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Full Length, Professional Theatrical Production with One Intermission
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Run time approx. 1:45:00
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Lighting design, stage direction, tap specific amplification, and tap floor
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Live Musicians and Vocalist
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Workshops, master classes, and community outreach classes in conjunction with performances can be arranged
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Promotion and advertising support
Contact NCYTE today to create your perfect performance package!
Direct Cell: (484) 942-4950
Email: manager@ncyte.org
Family & Educational Performances:
Through NCYTE's robust repertoire, we will showcase percussive dance styles from diverse geographies, time periods, and choreographers. Dancers share short talks throughout performances, engaging students, enhancing programming, and providing students and families with contextualized information about the history and culture of tap dance.
NCYTE's family and school performances are perfect for educational settings, community learning events, arts and cultural festivals and events, and family series offerings at theaters.
Includes:
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Engaging, interactive, and educational performance
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Run time approx. 60min, including brief Q&A session with NCYTE dancers
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Thematic focus consultation, upon request
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Materials integrating North Carolina K-12 standards of learning into pre- and post- performance lessons available upon request
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Dancer- or director-led workshops, master classes, and community outreach classes in conjunction with performances can be arranged. (Background checks for NCYTE directors available upon request.)
"It was a really fun field trip and I enjoyed the tap dancing. Thank you for Inviting my school. I really hope you can come back to Wilmington again soon, maybe invite the 7th graders next year so I can see it again."
- 6th Grade Student (School Performance)
RAVE REVIEW
RAVE REVIEW
"From the initial phone call with NCYTE about the troop performing for Our State to the last of the applause after the show - the entire experience left me and our audience inspired. Emily Jane, the company manager’s professional direction made the process easy and fun. Always making the best suggestions to produce the BEST show. Thanks for suggesting live music!
Then came THE SHOW. Wowza! Not sure I’ve seen a more enthusiastic and entertaining group of talented young people who seem so willing to share their love of tap with the audience and with each other. So fun, so lively, so positive. It’s what the world needs now."
- Amy Jo Wood Pasquini: Event Director Best of Our State Annual Event (2024) Our State Magazine
Let's Connect
NCYTE's 2025 performance calendar is quickly filling up. Book early and secure your preferred performance date(s)! Use the form below to begin building your programming package or to request a quote or more information. You can also contact Emily Acree, Company Manager to discuss the best options for your audience. We can't wait to bring NCYTE to YOUR community!
Follow NCYTE on social media:
The NC Youth Tap Ensemble is a 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to preserving and promoting percussive dance forms. Through generous funding from the NC Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission and other granting organizations we are able to bring the joy of tap dance to different socioeconomic areas and groups. Do not let financial investment keep you from contacting us. We may still be able to work with you regardless of financial need.
