For over 20 years Grant Swift has been bringing tap performance and education to the shores of Melbourne, Australia. A former state boxing champion, Grant now continues with that same drive and determination to better the education and awareness of tap dance in Melbourne, throughout Australia and around the world. He gets flown nationally and internationally to teach at places like Tap City (New York), Broadway Dance Centre (New York), Pineapple Studios (London), (Singapore), Maries’ Dance Studio (Mexico), Raw Metal and Mad Dance (Queensland). To see a list of his performances go here.
As the producer of MITF he continues to bring headline Tap Artists down under with the hope to educate and inspire other dancers and audiences and to strengthen tap dancers place in the over all landscape of the world of dance. He has personally made many journeys to taps homeland, America and earning the praises of such legends as Gregory Hines and Dr. Jimmy Slyde. His own troupes the “Swift Rhythm Hoofers” and “Aint Just About the Shoes” bring an energy and style of tap rarely seen to the Australian dance seen which has seen them perform at many festivals and theatre shows throughout Australia as they entertain as well as educate about Tap.
As the Australian representative of the International Tap Association and Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Tap Festival he is a truly positive energy in the promotion and education of the beautiful art form called “Tap Dancing.” He has appeared and written for dance magazines such as Dance Spirit, Australian Dance Teacher, Dance Train, On Tap, and New Zealand Dancer.
Grant has performed and jammed with notable internationally renowned artists such as Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards, Omar Edwards, Jimmy Payne Jnr., Lynne Dally, Brenda Buffalino, Yukiko “Smilie” Misumi, Kazu Kumagai, Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa), Max Pollack and Cool Heat Urban Beat, Chance Taylor, Joseph Wiggan, Lamine Sonko, Bob Sedergreen, Van “The Man” Porter, Sarah Reich, Michela Lerman, Pascal Hulin, Chris Moss (Hip Hop), Joelle Martinec (Jazz) and the Wickid Force Breakers, to name a few. Grant enriches and inspires audiences and students wherever he performs and teaches.
“One of the most Spiritually motivated, Politically active artists in our generation. He has the guts to say what most of the world is thinking. His dance is truly inspired by a higher force.”
Jason Samuels Smith - Emmy Award Winner and Co Director L.A. Tap Festival
“Grant Swift is fierce”
Chloe Arnold - Co Director L.A. Tap Festival
“…most exhilarating tap dancing I have ever seen. Our party left wanting more.”
Kim Cleverton, the Daily Telegraph N.Z.
“Choreographer, dancer, Grant Swift, has an eccentric, exciting style, athletic and very strongly rhythmical.”
Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune.
“Ultra cool pieces given the top of the shelf performances.”
The Dominion, Christchurch, New Zealand.
“Grant Swift…has a flashier, more athletic style…fascinating to watch.”
Jessica Nicholas, The Age, Melbourne Australia.
If you are interested in classes with Grant Swift, please check out his website for times and locations www.grantswift.com
