Ralph Brown Project
The Footsteps and Footwork of Tap Legend, Ralph Brown
What were the steps he took to becoming a successful tap dancer and what did they sound like?
Katherine’s own history in tap goes back to NY in the 1970s, during which time she had the great pleasure of studying for 2 years with Ralph Brown. She first heard Ralph, in his hot pink tap shoes, at an event organized by Jane Goldberg at the Village Vanguard in 1978. After moving to NY in 1931 and becoming a regular at the Hoofer’s Club, Ralph went on to working at the Cotton Club, where he performed and toured with Cab Calloway for many years. He performed as well with Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington, among others, and was a member of “The Original Hoofers.” Ralph performed in films, and on Broadway in “Black and Blue.” His enthusiasm for tap was infectious!
Katherine has kept his material alive in her repertory since that time and is committed to sharing both his history and artistry. She shares this work in classes, workshops, and lectures.
A percentage of any fees she receives from teaching his material goes to a scholarship fund for other students wanting to learn his material.
Upcoming Workshop!
August 14-16, 2026
Primrose Retreat
Registration is open for the upcoming Ralph Brown Project at Primrose Retreat! The full schedule can be viewed on the flyer to your right. Check out video and photos from previous workshops below.
Interested? Register below, or reach out to info@katherinekramerprojects.com for more information.
Upcoming Ralph Brown Workshops
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Black Box Theater,
Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center
Ursinus CollegeSession 1 at 12pm-3pm
Session 2 at 4pm-7pm
Refreshments to follow at 7pm.In these two intermediate/advanced level workshops, Kramer will share some of the steps, choreography, musicality, phrasing, physical styling, and historical knowledge she gained during her time studying with Brown in New York during the 1970s.
Register here.
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A 3-day intensive on Ralph Brown, hosted at Primrose Retreat. More info soon!
There will be a catered picnic on Saturday evening. Food details and pricing available soon.
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Details coming soon at:
Interview with the Library for the Performing Arts
Dancer Katherine Kramer was amongst the vanguard of the renaissance of New York’s tap dance scene in the 1970’s. She recently spoke about her history reviving the tradition of tap dance in the city and worldwide through her mentorship with Ralph Brown, and other legendary dancers and performers whose papers are preserved by the Library for the Performing Arts.
This interview with Kramer is just a preview of a several hours-long conversation between the Library’s Jenai Cutcher and Kramer for the Jerome Robbins Dance Division’s Dance Oral History Project.
Catch the full interview with Jenai and Katherine in their archive soon!
Check out upcoming workshops featuring Katherine teaching Ralph Brown history and his legacy.