SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced that Jason Samuels Smith, one of the best tap artists in the world, will teach a Master Class at The National Museum of Dance on May 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tap dancers of intermediate ability who are at least 10 years old are eligible to participate in the class, which will be team-taught by Samuels Smith and his troupe of professional dancers.

Samuels Smith is a performer, choreographer and director widely regarded as one of the leaders in the art form of tap. His skills first gained notice as a 15-year-old tap prodigy performing in principal and lead roles in Savion Glover's Tony Award-winning Broadway show, "Bring in Da'Noise, Bring in Da'Funk." Performances in Broadway productions, jazz and dance festivals followed. More recently, Samuels Smith co-starred in Dean Hargrove's "Tap Heat," an award-winning short film and in Outkast's feature film "Idlewild." Debbie Allen has featured his talents in several productions including the AMC television series "Cool Women," "Sammy" (a tribute to the life of Sammy Davis Jr.), and in a leading role of "Soul Possessed" with Patti LaBelle, Arturo Sandoval and Carmen DeLavallade. Samuels Smith has also appeared as a special guest on Fox's hit series "So You Think You Can Dance," as a chorographer for Grammy Artist Mya on "Secret Talents of The Stars," and as an associate choreographer for "Dancing With The Stars." He also continues to tour the US and India with India Jazz Suites, a dynamic collaboration with Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das. He has an Emmy and American Choreography Award for "Outstanding Choreography" for the Opening number of the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon in a tribute to the late Gregory Hines. On November 9th, 2009, Jason received a prestigious Dance Magazine Award. Reservations for the master class are required and may be made by contacting the National Museum of Dance at

or 518-584-2225. The cost is $15 per person. Tickets and more information on Jason Samuels Smith's A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It) performance are available at

or by calling 518-584-9330.