August 20, 2024 Rhythms of Resilience: Bril Barrett on Tap, Tradition, and Resistance

A conversation with 2024 NEA Heritage Fellow Bril Barrett, a Chicago tap dancer and educator. Barrett discusses his early exposure to the arts through his grandmother’s encouragement, which led him to fall in love with tap dance at a young age. He recounts his journey from learning under Carlton Smith at a community center to meeting his mentor Ayrie “Mr. Taps” King, who introduced him to the improvisational and jazz aspects of tap and the rich history of the art form.

Barrett talks about his evolution from dancer to dancer/educator and his commitment to passing on tap’s history, particularly its roots in Black resilience and resistance.  We discuss the mission of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, the tap collective Barrett co-founded in 2001, which now serves as a leading force in providing arts education and mentorship to youth in Chicago. He shares how he incorporates tap’s cultural and historical context into his teaching, using what he calls "taptivism" to empower his students to use tap as a means of expression and social justice, and how M.A.D.D. Rhythms has created a "studio-to-stage" pipeline that offers young dancers a pathway to professional careers.

Barrett also discusses the significance of receiving the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellowship, highlighting how this recognition reaffirms his commitment to his community and gives him renewed energy to continue his work. This episode is a deep dive into the world of tap dance, exploring its past, present, and future through the eyes of one of its most passionate advocates.