Ben Read

Ben trained with the then pre-eminent tap dance teacher in Newcastle, was the recipient of the inaugural ‘Future Fred Astaire’ award in Miami, Florida, and ensemble member of the Australia and New Zealand tour of the Broadway musical ‘42nd Street’.

He performed on national television with the ‘Tap Bros’, performed in the Australian tour of the West End musical ‘Me and My Girl’, and became an original cast member of Dein Perry’s ‘Tap Dogs’, Australia’s most successful tap dance export.

Ben toured North America, Europe, Asia and the United Kingdom with the ‘Tap Dogs’, including engagements on London’s West End and off-Broadway in New York City. He performed for the Prince’s Trust at Royal Albert Hall, with Stevie Wonder for Quincy Jones’ ‘50th Anniversary Special’ in Los Angeles, and the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2000.

Ben has been a faculty member of the Melbourne International Tap Festival, the Australian Tap Dance Festival, and the Sydney Tap Dance Festival. He has conducted international tap dance workshops in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Finland and was previously a regular guest teacher at ‘Steps on Broadway’ in New York City.

Ben founded and is a former director of a Sydney based performing arts school. He is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts, and a post-graduate degree in Law, and for over 10 years worked as a commercial lawyer including advising and acting on behalf of artist management and talent agencies, creators of theatrical productions and entertainment industry professionals.