It is with great joy that we, Chloé and Maud Arnold, with Chloé & Maud Productions, present the Second Annual 2009 DC Tap Festival, featuring the world’s premier Tap Dance Artists: Stars of Vaudeville, Broadway, and Emmy and Grammy awardees spanning Four Generations! Join us as further establish Washington, DC's global presence as a home for the classic Art of Tap Dance. Natives of Washington, DC, my sister and I were fortunate to grow up in DC during a time where ARTS funding and presenters provided the opportunity for us to train with legendary Tap Dance Legends such as Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers, Pegleg Bates, Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and with dancer and arts patron extraordinaire Debbie Allen. It was their inspiration, passion, and example that set us on our journeys, both as achieving young women - graduates of Columbia University’s Film School - and as artists, performing, choreographing, and teaching worldwide. Our mission is to inspire generations of Tap Dancers from the Washington, DC area and abroad, and further unite the Tap Dance community in order to expand the respect and appreciation for this classic Art. It is our responsibility and our heartfelt wish to pass it on. We will house this Festival at The DC Dance Collective. Nancy Newell, director of the DC Dance Collective, is a true advocate, producer, presenter, preserver and Tap Dancer herself. Nancy has always been a joining force in the community, and we are elated to be collaborating with her. Chloé brings her Tap Festival experience to the table. As protégée of Debbie Allen, Chloe produced and co-directs The Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival, one of the world’s premier Tap Festivals, now embarking on its 8th successful year. The DC Tap Festival presents for one dynamic 3-day weekend, March 26, 27, 28, 2010, the opportunity to share the language of dance through master classes, history talks, jam sessions, a student showcase, cutting contest, and performance featuring both world renowned Tap Masters and accomplished young dancers from the DC area and abroad. Yes, we are facing hard times. It is ever more important now to sustain and nourish the hearts and hopes of our young people. As a civilization’s arts flourish, so does its soul. President Barack Obama understands well that arts and culture reflect the “incredible tapestry that’s America”, and provide “that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward” as we recognize and harvest the gifts from the past. Together, we can be the change we hope to see. For more information, visit www.dctapfest.com