Avalon
Rathgeb
AVALON RATHGEB
Tap Dance Choreographer, Performer
Artistic Director of Old Kent Road
Avalon's Story
Avalon Rathgeb is a leading voice in contemporary tap dance and the Founder and Artistic Director of OKR Dance and the London Tap Dance Festival. Her work is recognised for its bold theatricality and commitment to expanding tap as a contemporary performance art form.
A graduate of Bird College, Avalon has trained and performed internationally for nearly 20 years. She was one of just 25 dancers selected worldwide for the prestigious Tap Programme at The School at Jacob’s Pillow (2014, Massachusetts, USA). The first Principal Dancer with Tapestry Dance Company (USA) under direction of Acia Gray.
Her career highlights include performing at the London 2012 Olympic Games, touring OSCiLLATE by OKR Dance over 40 times, including at venues such as Sadler’s Wells, as well as creating K-Tap in Kuwait with LAPA LOYAC.
As an international solo artist, choreographer, and educator, Avalon regularly teaches and performs worldwide, including at major festivals such as Taptastic (Germany), Australian Tap Festival, Singapore Tap Festival, Tanzhaus (Germany), and Riff Dallas (USA). Her latest solo work, UnBound, directed by Josh Hilberman, premiered in Liège, Belgium, and will tour the UK in 2027 represented by Sarah Trist Dance Management.
OKR DANCE
OKR Dance is rooted in respect for the traditional tap dance repertoire, it features an intricate balance of styles and range of artistic exploration. From contemporary and pedestrianised movement to body percussion and physical theatre, the company creates dance that is much influenced by jazz music.
OKR's dancers are accomplished, skilled, energetic, collaborative, and share the joy of tap with their audience. Their choreography flows from the lived experience and explores inventive musicality, layering rhythms with movement, communicating to its audience with sound. The company creates tap dance theatre, blending old and new in with the here and now.