VOA标准英语2010年-New York Tappers Bring Sounds of Broad

A group of New York-based tap dancers has just concluded a tour of the Middle East, with performances and workshops in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan. New York Tap Ensemble¹ founder² Noah Racey hopes the tour will help promote cultural understanding and introduce tap to a wider audience in the Middle East.

The New York Tap Ensemble was formed in 2007 with the idea that people of all nations understand the languages of song and dance.

 
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Noah Racey
Artistic³ director and founder Noah Racey told Reuters that he hopes to use dance to bridge language and cultural barriers. "We connect through rhythm and as in most places we go, we learn deep down everyone has the same connection and if I do... (beats) you go... (in sync with beats). Everybody knows it. We do not know why, we just know it. It makes sense," he said.

The group also included a music ensemble under the direction of three-time Richard Rogers Award winner Andrew Gerle. The dancers tapped to standards such as I've got You Under My Skin, Steam Heat, and Sunny Side of the Street.

There is a tradition of the rhythmic⁴ Dabkeh dance in the region, but tap was something new. Rania Qamhawee, the director of the Dance and Arts department and the deputy⁵ president of the Jordanian National Center for Culture and Art, told Reuters that the tappers helped enrich⁶ local appreciation⁷ for the art form.

"We have a group at the center call Miss and we try to develop popular arts, which is a characteristic of Jordanian culture and very important," she said. "But it needs more techniques, so at the center we try to establish good technique so we can show the world this culture.

Noah Racey says that tap allows everyone to communicate through its rhythm and music. "Rhythm is an interconnecting energy," he said. "Everybody has the same ability to let go of the language and the mind and enjoy the rhythm. And that happens and is re-enforced every time we perform. People are really eager and joyous⁸ to let go and have fun with it.

The tour marked the company's second trip to the region, after they performed in Amman's Al Hussein Theater in 2008. The trip was organized through the U.S. State Department's Cultural Affairs Office and included workshops with Palestinian students in Bethlehem as well as performances in Jerusalem and Amman.
 

1 ensemble   

n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果

参考例句：

• We should consider the buildings as an ensemble.我们应把那些建筑物视作一个整体。
• It is ensemble music for up to about ten players,with one player to a part.它是最多十人演奏的合奏音乐，每人担任一部分。

2 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

3 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

4 rhythmic   

adj.有节奏的，有韵律的

参考例句：

• Her breathing became more rhythmic.她的呼吸变得更有规律了。
• Good breathing is slow,rhythmic and deep.健康的呼吸方式缓慢深沉而有节奏。

5 deputy   

n.代理人，代表，副职；adj.代理的，副的

参考例句：

• John will act as a deputy for me during my absence.我离开期间，约翰将代理我的职务。
• She is the deputy headmistress of the school.她是那所学校的代理校长。

6 enrich   

vt.充实，使丰富，使富裕，使富有

参考例句：

• Some cream will enrich the sauce.在调味汁里加一些奶油会使其味道更加丰富。
• Music can enrich your life.音乐能丰富你的生活。

7 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

8 joyous   

adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的

参考例句：

• The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
• They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。