About Us
ABOUT BLUME
Howard Blume has studied extensively with some of the finest masters, including Charles Kelley in NYC, Louis DaPron, Eddie Brown & Alfred Desio in L.A. and Heather Cornell of Manhattan Tap. Blume's taught continuously since age 14 in North Carolina, Boston, London & L.A.
His primary focus has always been teaching, although he has performed periodically since age 4. Over the last decade he has created five, full-length, full-cast original tap dancing shows in smaller venue theaters across Los Angeles. Virtually every performance of every show has sold out. The most recent was "TAP-water" in November 2019.
The best-known, long-running Saturday class is known as the Eddie Brown class because Brown's students asked Blume to keep the regular gathering going after Brown died in 1992.
During and after Eddie's life, the Eddie Brown class traveled all over Los Angeles, first under Eddie, and later after Blume (Eddie's assistant) inherited the group. The class took place at the Embassy Hotel in downtown L.A. before and after the Northridge quake severely damaged that building. Then it moved to Cafe Danssa in West L.A. The current home base is Blume's studio in Silver Lake.
Blume has had responsibility for the Brown class for more than 25 years. The group of students who previously studied with Eddie Brown have been among the most loyal band of tappers ever. The class has continued to meet for decades, with a few of the original participants still involved. Blume was just about the youngest among them when Eddie died in 1992.
Blume also has a time-consuming "day job" as a journalist in L.A.
HOWARD.TAP@GMAIL.COM 323 363-5922
Visitors are welcome at any class. A few classes get crowded so please reserve spots in classes in advance whenever possible.
Join our mailing list to learn about performances (our group is The Tapitalists), special events and, on occasions, noteworthy activities by members of our tap tribe.
Photo of Howard & Hannah by Largo Richardson. Headshot of Howard courtesy of L.A. Times.
Fun with a Purpose
Our goal is to keep the art of tap dancing alive and thriving with a serious but also joyous program that is suited to beginners, experienced tappers and dance teachers. Some financial aid is available, generally to current students who have shown commitment to the classes.
Classes are geared toward adults, but some children thrive in them. Special children's classes are available by special arrangement as are private lessons and family lessons.