Avalon Rathgeb
Tap Lecturer
Training & Early Recognition
Avalon Rathgeb graduated from Bird College in 2009 after studying on a 3-year full-time scholarship. Additionally, she received two internships from the American Tap Dance Foundation 2009/11. Furthermore, she earned Grant Swift's TeAyPe scholarship (Melbourne, Australia) 2009-10 and a scholarship for the Los Angeles Tap Festival 2012. Moreover, Avalon won the 2013 cutting contest at Stockholm Tap Festival. Subsequently, she received an invitation to accept 1 of 25 places reserved for outstanding dancers in the 2014 Tap programme at the School at Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts, USA.
Career Highlights
Avalon's career highlights include dancing in the opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games. Additionally, she performed in the closing ceremony of the European Games (Baku Azerbaijan) 2015. Furthermore, she serves as Artistic Director of 'Old Kent Road' 2014-current. Moreover, she worked as principal dancer for 'Tapestry Dance Company' under the direction of Acia Gray 2017-19. Additionally, Ruben Sanchez DanceWear has endorsed Avalon since 2014.
Old Kent Road Company
Avalon founded and directs London's leading tap dance company 'Old Kent Road' in 2014. Additionally, Arts Council England supported this venture. Furthermore, an excerpt of 'Fall Out' gained acceptance to perform at Resolution! 2015. Moreover, the full-length work premiered in 2016 and toured throughout the UK for 3 years. Additionally, this included DanceBase as part of Edinburgh Fringe where they received 5* reviews and 'recommend show' status.
In summer 2018, 'OSCiLLATE' co-choreographed by Avalon and Dre Torres premiered at the world renowned Sadler's Wells- The Lilian Baylis Theatre. Furthermore, OSCiLLATE has performed at venues including The London Cabaret Club, DanceBase, DanceEast, Salisbury Playhouse, Bath Theatre Royal, HOLT Festival, Latitude Festival, and Grand Theatre Shanghai (China).
International Work
Avalon spent 2 years performing as a principal dancer with 'Tapestry Dance Company', North America's only full-time and salaried tap dance company in Texas, USA. Additionally, under Acia Gray's direction, she performed and toured shows including 'Just Tap', 'Mice and Music- A Jazz Tap Nutcracker', 'April Fools', 'Sound and Silence', 'Pass-ing it Forward- The American Dream?' and 'The Souls of our Feet'.
As a solo artist, Avalon frequently teaches and performs internationally for tap festivals and events. Furthermore, her work spans across Croatia, Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, Australia, USA, Spain, Poland, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ukraine. Additionally, in the UK she has performed at events including Harrods Boxing day opening celebration and the 1st International Chinese Film Awards. Moreover, she has been interviewed for BBC Radio London.
Current Work & Teaching
Based back in London, Avalon has toured OSCiLLATE with 'Old Kent Road' over 40 times since 2019. Additionally, in 2020 she collaborated on devised theatre 'Plaza' as movement director for Central School of Speech and Drama. Furthermore, since the pandemic, she has created over 100 online classes with Old Kent Road. Moreover, these classes have reached thousands of students worldwide, enabling the tap dance community to continue dancing together.
Currently, Avalon teaches regularly at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Pineapple Dance Studios, Morea Performing Arts and South London Dance Studios. Additionally, from September 2021, she shares her expertise at Performers College and Arts Ed.
