Ryan K. Johnson’s zeal for rhythm is evident the moment he begins to speak about his work, the art form, the state of the arts, and the world. One of the foremost percussive dance artists in the U.S, in 2024 Johnson became the first African American body percussionist to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in choreography. […]

While Caleb Teicher says that they and Nic Gareiss “lead full artistic lives as percussive dancers in different ‘scenes,’ ” the two have also been frequent collaborators over the past 15 years. This short film captures the give-and-take of their improvisation, in which rhythm becomes both structure and language. “In our duo shows, this improvisation is […]

Injury prevention is crucial for dancers. But compared to the resources focusing on dance styles like ballet, modern and contemporary, guidance for dancers specializing in percussive forms—for example, tap, flamenco or kathak—is arguably less common. What kinds of injuries tend to affect these dancers, and how can they be avoided? What Are the Most Common […]