Ray Hesselink

Ray Hesselink is a Director and Choreographer working in Theater, Film and TV. Recently Ray has worked with the creative team of the Broadway show "Billy Elliot: The Musical" as a tap dance trainer and consultant. As a dancer, Ray created the role of Mr. Happy in Derick Grant's "Imagine Tap!" As a performer, Ray's favorite performances include originating the role of "Bud" in Batboy: The Musical and a recurring role on USA'S Up All Night with Rhonda Shear. Ray has also been featured as a principal dancer in Nayikas, a classical Indian Dance Company. Ray has choreographed for many venues including New York Musical Theater Festival, The Duke Theater, Symphony Space, Yale Drama School and many others. Ray also dubbed the tap sounds to the Dancing Elephant in the G.E. Singin' in the Rain commercial. Check out www.rayhesselink.com for more information. Class Description Ray's tap class emphasizes technique through warm-up, across the floor, tap turns and a combination. His style is greatly inspired by the MGM films of the 1930-50s, reminiscent of such tap greats as Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller. Ray uses intricate rhythms and fun footwork to create challenging, musical and entertaining choreography.