Learn tap technique from visiting artist, the “Japanese Gregory Hines,” Kazunori Kumagai, in this all-levels masterclass hosted at METdance.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

About the Instructor 

Kazunori Kumagai was born in Sendai City, Japan. He started tap dancing at the age of 15 and came to New York at the age of 19. He trained at Funk University, the training workshop for the hit Broadway musical Bring in da' Noise, Bring in 'da Funk. He studied with Ted Levy, Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, Barbara Duffy, and Derick K. Grant. Since then, he has performed in many New York City downtown clubs, such as The Knitting Factory, Tonic, and just recently he performed his solo show at the Blue Note NY. Since 2002, he has performed in Tony Waag’s Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival and was dubbed by The Village Voice as the "Japanese Gregory Hines." In 2006, he was selected as one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch." In 2014, He received the Flo-Bert Award, a prestigious award that honors tap dancers for outstanding achievements.

In 2008, he opened his first tap dance studio, KAZ TAP STUDIO, in Japan, and has subsequently taught throughout Japan including in his hometown of Sendai City, site of severe damage in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Kazu currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and tours all over the world. He recently won the "Bessie Award 2016" as an "Outstanding Performer."

Partnering Organization

Major support for Performing Arts programs comes from Nancy C. Allen, Ellen Gritz and Milton Rosenau, the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, and the Anchorage Foundation. Generous funding also provided by AARP, The Clayton Fund, Miller Theatre Advisory Board, New England Foundation for the Arts. Additional support provided by the Wortham Foundation, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a premier group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas Center. This program is presented in partnership with Japan Foundation New York

Japan Series Presenting Sponsor

Japan Series Program Sponsor

Performing Arts Program Sponsors

Presented in Collaboration With