Video: Irvington Teen Taps Her Way to World Championships in Germany

Irvington High School freshman Rachel Binney is leaving Sunday to fly to Riesa, Germany to compete at the World Tap Dancing Championships.

Binney started dancing when she was only 7 years old—learning ballet, jazz, modern and tap.

“I am most comfortable with tap,” said the soft-spoken but articulate teenager. “Dance is an expression of you and I like that both the sound and movement are important aspects of tap. That’s a lot of fun for me.”

Binney, who trains at Seven Star School of Performing Arts in Brewster, will be competing in three categories: as a soloist, part of a duo and part of a trio. She was one of only three American soloists chosen to perform in Germany.

“Competition is always nerve-wracking,” Binney said. “But I’m more comfortable now because I’ve gone to the world championships since I was 11.”

She is excited to reunite with other tap enthusiasts from countries like Germany, France, England, Australia the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

“A lot of people come year after year,” she said.

To stay sharp and in shape, Binney practices four days per week—in addition to training six days per week for the school track team. (Binney also has a black belt in karate, but her schedule got a little too jammed to keep up with that too—)

Binney says her personal style is “somewhat jazzy—not typical.” She likes dancing to Broadway music that has lyrics. Her solo this year is to up-and-coming artist Risa Binder’s "Trouble.”

Binney said she definitely wants to continue dancing after high school—though she’s not sure about pursuing it professionally.

“Right now, I’m just enjoying it,” she said. “With tap, the sounds are the foundation of the dance. But without a good stage presence and nice-looking upper body, it’s not entertaining.”

Watch footage Binney’s solo in the media section above—and wish her luck in the comments section.

Editor's note: Special thanks to Sarah and Adel Hinawi of the Purple Crayon Center in Hastings for allowing us to shoot our video in their beautiful space.