Al Gilbert

– Al Gilbert opened his first dance studio in Hollywood, California in 1947.

Ten years later he established Stepping Tones Ltd. which, over the next half-century, produced more than 1,000 song and dance training aids and graded syllabi for Tap and Jazz dancing. His tap and jazz instructional materials made a major impact on the way these forms were taught internationally. Mr. Gilbert created music and choreography, recorded them with vocal instruction and written notes, and marketed them as records, tapes, CDs, and videos. His volumes of work are available at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Born Allesandro Zicari in upstate New York, Mr. Gilbert learned to tap dance on the streets and danced with his brothers, Charlie and Pat (Rico), and his sister, Rose, in nightclubs and theatres until World War II, when he served in the Army Air Corps and performed for the troops. After his 1945 discharge, he moved to Hollywood and danced in The Jolson Story. But his real love lay in making classes fun at Al Gilbert’s Hollywood Theatrical Dance School.

Mr. Gilbert taught internationally at private studios and major dance conventions such as Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, and Dance Olympus. He also created the Al Gilbert Dance Seminars and wrote Al Gilbert’s Tap Dictionary: Encyclopedia of Tap Terminology and Related Information. His knowledge, energy, and generosity distinguished his educational work; he could simplify steps and motivate students while clarifying techniques for teachers. He was honoured by many dance organizations for his tireless efforts to improve the teaching of American dance. Mr. Gilbert’s immeasurable influence will live on through his students and their students.

In 2003, Nancy Hays of Edmonton took the reins of the Gilbert Dance Examinations here in Canada and has continued Mt Gilbert’s dance legacy. Now, in 2020, she has passed the torch to Vanessa Cowan to continue his Examination program.