Boys’ Club Tap Dance Collective featuring Morris Palter and Nathan Smith
Boys' Club Tap Dance Collective is a dynamic trio of women tap dancers: Veronica Simpson (New York City), Laura Donaldson (Calgary), and Elise McGrenera (Toronto). Founded in May 2022 during a residency at tanzhaus nrw (Düsseldorf), the collective quickly gained recognition with residencies at renowned spaces, including Leña Artist Residency, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, and The Claquettes Club. Our new-found collaboration with percussionists Bob Becker, Morris Palter, and Nathan Smith seek to create new works for tap and percussion to be realized in diverse concert settings.
Dr. Morris Palter is director of percussion studies at the University of Arizona and is endorsed by Black Swamp Percussion, Malletech, Sabian Cymbals, and REMO drum heads.
Nathan Smith was a featured member of the Seattle Seahawks Drumline (2021-23) and proudly endorses Marimba One Instruments and is a Vic Firth/Zildjian Educator.
Dr. Morris Palter is director of percussion studies at the University of Arizona and is endorsed by Black Swamp Percussion, Malletech, Sabian Cymbals, and REMO drum heads.
Nathan Smith was a featured member of the Seattle Seahawks Drumline (2021-23) and proudly endorses Marimba One Instruments and is a Vic Firth/Zildjian Educator.
Stepping into Crazy Army
Session Description:
Our PASIC NMR 2025 performance will feature a newly composed work incorporating elements of Steve Gadd’s famous Crazy Army drum solo and Bob Becker’s percussion chamber work, Away Without Leave. It will be a quintet showcasing three professional tap dancers, snare drummer, and bass drummer. This piece will be composed/arranged by Bob Becker and Morris Palter, in collaboration with Boys’ Club Tap Dance Collective (Veronica Simpson, Laura Donaldson, Elise McGrenera).
In 2023, Veronica approached Bob to explore the intersections of tap dance and rudimental drumming. Inspired by their work together, she developed a tap dance piece utilizing elements of Crazy Army, premiering in Düsseldorf at the tanzhaus nrw festival (May 2024). After consulting with Veronica, we are now expanding this work, adding two drummers, and further developing the rudimental aspects for both dancers and drummers (akin to Bob’s, Away Without Leave).
In 2023, Veronica approached Bob to explore the intersections of tap dance and rudimental drumming. Inspired by their work together, she developed a tap dance piece utilizing elements of Crazy Army, premiering in Düsseldorf at the tanzhaus nrw festival (May 2024). After consulting with Veronica, we are now expanding this work, adding two drummers, and further developing the rudimental aspects for both dancers and drummers (akin to Bob’s, Away Without Leave).
Session Category:
- New Music/Research
Date:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time:
5:00 PM
Location:
Room 120
Session Type:
New Music/Research Presents
Session Format:
Live
