FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/18/11

Morgan Arts Council
Berkeley Springs, WV

Press contact: Mary Hott -- 304-258-2300
www.macicehouse.org

Photo available on request: star@starwv.com


JAZZ AND TAP RHYTHMS HEAT UP THE ICE HOUSE

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- Using her fast-footed tap dancing as a 
musical instrument, Shelly Oliver accompanies jazz pianist David 
Leonardt on a dynamic musical journey produced by the Morgan Arts 
Council (MAC) at the Ice House on Saturday, March 26 at 7:30pm. 
"We've never had an Ice House concert like this before," said Mary 
Hott, MAC's Executive Director. "We expect this to be a remarkable 
event. The audience will be amazed at the interplay and improvisation 
the two performers create." The evening of dance and music showcases 
outstanding moments of rhythm and melody as well as percussion and 
harmony. "It's perfect for parents to come see what their kids 
experienced in school," said Hott.

Leonardt and Oliver present together in Morgan County schools as part 
of MAC's longtime Adopt-a-School program. They spend Thursday in Paw 
Paw where the Senior Center is invited to attend and at Warm Springs 
Middle School for three interactive workshops on Friday. Leonardt and 
Oliver's spirited interactive presentation explores jazz creativity 
with instrument, voice and dance. "We are pleased with their 
professionalism and experience in teaching as well as artistic 
excellence and accomplishment," said Hott.

Hott also announced a pair of 90-minute workshops conducted by 
Leonardt and Oliver at 10am on Saturday at the Ice House. Shelly 
Oliver teaches a master class for students with some tap background. 
The focus is clarity and speed of tapping as well as developing 
rhythmic sophistication. Students learn an excerpt from professional 
choreography as well as historic tap. David Leonardt's class explores 
jazz and improvisation for instrument and voice showing simple basic 
exercises to develop skills. Audience is welcome.

Shelly Oliver has toured extensively in China and Europe as well as 
the US. A "Star Search" finalist, she's appeared in television and 
onstage and has conducted school residencies for major New York 
institutions including Lincoln Center. David Leonardt is an 
international touring jazz pianist as well as producer and arranger of 
many jazz stars through the past twenty years.

The performance on Saturday is sponsored by Panorama at the Peak which 
invites concertgoers to dine with them.

"We are proud of the list of funders who are assisting in bringing 
these artists to Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw," said Hott. Funding is 
provided in part by the National Endowment for the Arts,
West Virginia Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel taxes. 
School and workshop activities are funded in part by the WV Statewide 
Afterschool Network and the Morgan County Schools.
Special funding for these particular artists come from Pennsylvania 
Performing Arts on Tour. PennPAT is a program developed and funded by 
the Heinz Foundation; William Penn Foundation; Pennsylvania Council on 
the Arts, a state agency; and the Pew Charitable trust; and 
administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

The Ice House is located at Independence and Mercer in downtown 
Berkeley Springs. Reservations are encouraged for both Saturday 
classes and evening performance. Call MAC at 304-258-2300 or check 
online at www.macicehouse.org