13 Facts About Ira Bernstein

Ira Bernstein is considered an authority on clogging, and the leading figure in this dance style.

Ira Bernstein calls himself a "percussive step dancer who specializes in Appalachian flatfooting," and dances Green Grass style Appalachian clogging, English clogging, French-Canadian step dancing, Irish step dancing, and South African gumboot dancing.

Ira Bernstein attended the University of Pennsylvania from 1977 to 1981.

Ira Bernstein is an old-time fiddler, having taken up the instrument while at the University of Pennsylvania.

Barrand was a mentor to Ira Bernstein and exposed him to English, Irish, and Canadian clog and step dancing.

Ira Bernstein gave Bernstein private lessons in traditional English dance styles, and gave him unlimited access to his film archive.

Ira Bernstein has performed throughout the United States, and toured in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, and Japan.

Ira Bernstein directs the Ten Toe Percussion Ensemble, a group of step dance soloists, and has been a member of the Mill Creek Cloggers, Fiddle Puppets, Marlboro Morris and Sword, American Tap Dance Orchestra, and The Vanaver Caravan.

Ira Bernstein was a guest soloist with Rhythm in Shoes and was the lead soloist in the show Rhythms of the Celts, which ran for six weeks at the Waterfront Theatre in Belfast.

Ira Bernstein has frequently performed with the old-time musician Riley Baugus, with the duo show Appalachian Roots.

Ira Bernstein was the co-creator and co-artistic director of Mountain Legacy, a large-scale stage show of Appalachian clogging and related percussive step dance styles.

Ira Bernstein won first place at the Mount Airy Fiddler's Convention old-time flatfoot dance competition.

Ira Bernstein has won awards at the Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia, and at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, Fayette County, West Virginia.