Jack Scarlett

Dancer

Choreographer

Teacher

Artist Statement

I am a tap dancer, percussionist, choreographer, and teacher. Although I enjoy many styles of music, I am a jazz music enthusiast. I find that jazz music is the best medium for me to express my emotions and to communicate with others. Many people profess to use dance as a means of communication, but for me, this is an authentic statement as tap dancing has made it possible for me to overcome being introverted and to become part of a group of artists who consider themselves family, “tap fam”.

Some of the pieces I choreograph are to tell a story, some to reinforce the history of tap dance, and some to share my innermost thoughts and feelings. “On a Clear Day” has become my theme song, it’s a reminder that no matter what may be happening, there will soon be a better, brighter day. There are a multitude of variations and covers of this song, my favorite is an arrangement I collaborated on with a seven-piece orchestra for a special performance in February of 2022.

My vision for my future is to continue to develop a body of work that will be a movement journal of my life experiences. I am becoming proficient with music and video editing so that I can record and share my work with others and hopefully affect them in a positive way.

About Me

Jack Scarlett is a Boston based dancer, choreographer and teacher. He started dancing at his mother’s studio when he was 11 years old and was immediately drawn to tap dance. Currently, Jack is a performer with DrumatiX, a Boston and San Diego based professional tap and percussion company. He has performed with FutureSTEP, a New Jersey based tap dance company, Jam Youth Project, a D.C. based tap dance company, and was a member of New Jersey Tap Ensemble’s NJTap2. He was a featured performer, as well as Dance Captain, at Legoland in New York for the world premiere of their stage shows.

Jack began competing at regional and national conventions and competitions the same year he started dancing. During his time competing, Jack earned numerous highest-level adjudications and scholarships as well as regional and national titles for his fast-paced solos with show-stopping footwork. He is always recognized for his stage presence and love of entertaining.

Jack began assistant teaching at his mother’s dance studio when he was 14 years old. He assists at numerous dance conventions such as Adrenaline, Revive, NYCDA with Chloe Arnold, LA Dance Magic with Jason E. Bernard, Nuvo with Sarah Reich, and Radix with Jason Janas. He has also been an assistant for Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project. Jack began his professional teaching career at Northeast Dance Project in New Jersey. He has taught and choreographed

for Boston Conservatory’s tap ensemble and is currently Co-Head Choreographer.

His choreographic work includes collaborating with a 7-piece band to create and arrange an Oscar Peterson piece for “Tapped In” at the Berklee Performance Center as well as short indie films that he choreographs, directs, and produces. His most recent choreographic work was for Berklee’s “Night and Day, A Celebration of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga”. In August of 2024, he was invited to perform with Project:Rhythm’s annual show, Copasetic, with music provided by the NightBreakers and the The Solomon Keim Quartet.