For this special evening (taking place DOWNSTAIRS), tap dancer Petra Haller and pianist Meg Morley will play one improvised set of music, exploring rhythm and space, drawing from their combined experience in jazz, classical and improvised music.
After a short intermission there will be a streaming of the documentary Tap Dance History: from Vaudeville to Film. This will give the audience a unique opportunity to learn about the roots of this art form.
Petra Haller and Meg Morley met a few years back at the Freedom of Improvisation Loft jam at the Vortex led by Cleveland Watkiss, Orphy Robinson, Tori Handsley and Paul Bradshaw and have since then collaborated on various projects.
Classically trained from the age of two, Melbourne-born London-based musician Meg Morley was awarded Distinctions by the Australian Music Examination Board for its Associate and Licentiate diplomas in piano and completed a Masters of Music in classical performance and completed a Masters of Music in classical performance and a Postgraduate Certificate in composition. She studied Jazz improvisation at the Victorian College of the Arts.
Full Bio here: https://www.megmorleymusic.com
Petra is an Independent dance artist and tap dancer based in London. She has has studied tap dance mainly at workshops under Jason Samuels Smith, Derick Grant and Andrew Nemr who not only taught her the dance style but also introduced her to the roots of this African-American Art form in jazz music and African-American history. She was introduced to free improvisation by Cleveland Watkiss and immediately found herself at home.
Full Bio here: https://www.petrahaller.net/ho
Video Petra and Meg: