Meet Kaitlyn McMorran and Elijah Meader | Directors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlyn McMorran and Elijah Meader and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlyn McMorran and Elijah Meader, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Rocky Mountain Rhythm was founded in 2015 in an effort to revive tap dance in the Denver metro area. As reality dance tv shows featured other styles of movement more, tap dance became less popular in the community and saw a decline in professional dance settings, including on Broadway. We started out as a Facebook group to foster community between other tap dancers in the area and quickly grew to what we are today; Denver’s premiere professional tap dance company. We are very lucky to be able to offer donation based community classes twice a month because of the generosity of Helen Estrella with Motion Dance Center. These classes serve as a means to create community, connect with other tap dancers, and train with members of the company. We also value community performances and collaborative shows with other professional dance companies in Colorado to expand audience’s understandings of tap dance. The company performs both original pieces as well as historical tap dance pieces to pass down the history of this American born art form. Our main goal is to inspire more people to grab a pair of tap shoes and try it out for themselves!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Something that sets RMR apart from other tap companies is we are always trying to push the boundaries of what tap performance can be. For example, last October we collaborated with Life/Art Dance Ensemble to present an immersive Halloween experience with dance, which has turned into an annual production. One of our first big stepping stones to reaching the Denver community was performing at Denver Pridefest for three years starting in 2017 on the main stage. We were excited to perform for that community and create lasting ties to other performers, artists, and creatives that we are still working with today.

For me (Kaitlyn), I grew up tap dancing but never thought it would be something I could pursue post high school. I first heard about RMR in college and wanted to get back to my tap roots. After Claire left and COVID hit, I was able to use my stage and production management experience to get us performing and engaging with the community more frequently. I am so grateful for all of the company members and their commitment to growing RMR into what it has become.

I (Elijah) was taking the dance class that happened right before Claire’s tap class and she would encourage me to get back into tap! I was raised as a classically trained dancer and after joining my first company out of high school, and I wasn’t able to tap anymore. As second in charge of the costume shop with the Colorado Ballet, I was able to get my foot in the door with local theatres and started performing musical theatre. Rocky Mountain Rhythm has always been a second family to me since being an original member in 2015 and keeps my passion for tap alive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Dinner and a show at Dazzle Jazz Club, a show at the Buell, and a late night cabaret with StarChild, topping the night off with dancing at Charlies!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rocky Mountain Rhythm would not exist without the vision and artistry of Claire Sheek. Claire grew up dancing in Colorado and was mentored by tap legends like Gene GeBauer, Barbara Duffy, and Thelma Goldberg. She also was a member of Prof. Robert L. Reed’s St Louis Hoofer’s Club. Claire saw the need to bring tap back to Colorado and created Rocky Mountain Rhythm alongside four other tap dancers, three of whom are still with the company today! Without her extensive knowledge and passion for tap dance, Rocky Mountain Rhythm would not exist.

Website: rockymtnrhythm.com

Instagram: @rockymtnrhythm

Facebook: facebook.com/rockymtnrhythm

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockymountainrhythm9730

Image Credits
Ian McMorran Andrews Artistry Grace Creative Studios