Fosse & Verdon Book No. 12 - Taking Class with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy

One thing that is very important to me as a researcher and educator, is to always continue my own dance training. I train in many styles of dance at studios in New York, but if you want to learn Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon’s style and choreography, the only place to learn is from the Verdon/Fosse Legacy. Which is run by their daughter, Nicole Fosse, and their grandson, Noah Fosse. They hold classes and intensives that are open to all dancers, but they also hold some “closed” classes, which are by invite only.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend one of these intense “closed” classes. It was led by Lloyd Culbreath (Big Deal ‘86, Sweet Charity ‘86), who taught us Fosse’ “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar”--the Act One closer from Big Deal. Lloyd also surprised us by inviting Valarie Pettiford (Dancin’ ‘78)  out to observe us in class.

It was a real honor to dance for them and learn Fosse’s steps right from the people who learned it from him. I had previously interviewed both Lloyd and Valarie for the book via Zoom. But it was great to be able to connect with them in-person in a studio.

As they say, “it’s all about the work.”