KTE – our Journey

January 2013, Tap Dancing started here in Shantalliv as Dr Trish Melton launched her rural dance and music school: Cantarina Music & Dance

As more and more tap dancers joined the school, and as tap dance became a bigger and bigger passion for Dr Trish, something new started to emerge: The Kerry Tap Ensemble.

  • 2017 – SEPT – we formally launched Kerry Tap Ensemble
  • 2018 – FEB – our first KTE international performance at Tap Dance Festival UK (TDFUK)
  • 2018 – APRIL – Stockholm Tap Dance Festival – solo performance by KTE Member: Katarina Roberts
  • 2018 – JULY – New York – Tap City Tap Dance Festival – Dr Trish Melton & Katarina Roberts performed on Broadway and in Times Square as a part of residency workshops
  • 2018 – SEPT – Shantalliv – our first Shantalliv Tap Workshop with Guest Teacher: Charles Renato
  • 2019 – JAN – Taptastic Tap Dance Festival, Wilhelmshaven – KTE performance (Group & Solo) and residency performances 
  • 2019 – FEB – TDFUK, Manchester, UK – KTE performances (Solo & Group); Dr Trish taught somatic tap techniques  as a part of the Future Faculty Session
  • 2019 – JULY – New York – Tap City Tap Dance Festival – Dr Trish Melton & Katarina Roberts performed on Broadway as a part of residency workshops; Katarina Roberts Awarded the Buster Brown Scholarship
  • 2019 – AUG – Shantalliv – our 2nd Shantalliv Tap Workshop with Guest Teacher: Avalon Rathgeb
  • 2019 – AUG – Rose of Tralee Festival, Kerry, Ireland – KTE performance
  • 2019 – OCT- Camp Fair, Kerry, Ireland – KTE performance
  • 2019 – NOV – Shantalliv – our 2nd Shantalliv Tap Workshop with Guest Teacher: Avalon Rathgeb
  • 2020 – JAN – Taptastic Tap Dance Festival, Wilhelmshaven – KTE performance and residency performances
  • 2020 – FEB – TDFUK, Manchester, UK – KTE performances (Solo & Group). Dr Trish taught a section of Cookie Cook  as a part of the Future Faculty Session  
  • 2020 – MARCH – the Cowshed had to close due to COVID and all classes and company rehearsals went online