Broadway performer leads master tap class at YSU

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Tapping into his experience

Video

Video by Amanda Tonoli

For the first time in five years, John Scacchetti, a Youngstown native and Broadway performer, put on his tap shoes with a group of dancers at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.

Scacchetti, a Bradley University graduate, has been on both regional and national tours, performing a number productions including “42nd Street,” “Gypsy” and “My Fair Lady.”

Despite his fondness for travel, he was ecstatic for the opportunity to return to YSU not only to teach the free master-level class Thursday but also to repay a favor.

“Christine Cobb, a YSU dance professor, used to bring me in to dance for YSU when I was in middle school,” Scacchetti said. “I’ve just stayed in contact over the years, and whenever my schedule allows, I come here.”

From a young age, he learned to love dance not because of the thrill of performing, but because of the feel of it.

“I like how percussive it is,” he said. “My grandfather and my uncle led jazz band orchestras, and when I was a kid, I would always go dance it up. I was always just obsessed with the rhythms.”

And that’s what he strives to teach in all of his classes. “All about the rhythm,” he said.

Despite the wide range of ages – from 11 to 68 – of those who shared Scacchetti’s appreciation for rhythm, the friendly atmosphere connected the dancers.

Fellow dancer and 2013 YSU graduate Jillian Billeck of Girard was happy to be able to take a dance class. After graduation, it’s not a frequent occasion when she can dance, she said.

“What’s really cool about this class is that there are so many dancers from so many [dance] studios in the area,” Billeck said. “It’s cool for all of us to come together like this.”

Scacchetti said he was impressed by not only the turnout of more than 50 dancers, but also the dancers’ abilities.

“Normally, in a class, we can get through two lessons – they’ve done seven,” Scacchetti said. “I was doing just above the middle level, and they were nailing it.”

Vinny Marchionte, 16, of Howland said he enjoyed going back to the basics to break down steps and turn them into combinations.

Paige Taylor, 14, also of Howland, agreed that Scacchetti’s teaching style was helpful.

“I just find it’s really beneficial for us,” she said.