Pianist and dancer blend art forms for a dream performance at Hancher in Iowa City

Unique entertainment is difficult to uncover in this age in which the masses seemed to have seen it all. And then comes along a show featuring pianist/composer Conrad Tao and dancer/choreographer Caleb Teicher.

The tandem’s “Counterpoint” event, aptly part of Hancher’s “Infinite Dream” festival, is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City. Tao and Teicher will explore harmonic, rhythmic and theatrical counterpoints through a blend of sound and movement

“It is a unique show,” Teicher said. “I think audiences who usually go to music concerts are really engaged by the dancing. I think dance audiences are thrilled by the live music and the very different performative style of the show.”

Part of the appeal is that Tao, 30, and Teicher, 29, will engage the audience.

“There’s no fourth wall,” Teicher said. “No ‘Theater magic.’ It is just Conrad and me in artistic conversation across our disciplines with a visceral, palpable energy. There are some intense sections, some funny sections, and there’s a lot of warmth in the show. People tend to go ‘Woo’ after certain pieces. ... It’s a good time.”

Part of what makes the show work so well is the connection between Tao and Teicher, who have a tremendous rapport. On paper it doesn’t sound like a slam dunk but the music and dance are akin to chocolate and peanut butter.

“Frankly, I don’t think we knew it would work so well,” Teicher said. “I often joke, ‘If someone described the concept of the show, I would say, ‘It’s a bad idea.’ And that’s speaking as someone who really likes piano and tap dance. But in all seriousness, we were surprised by how well this ‘works’ for us as artists but also for audiences.”

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Tao and Teicher started working together in 2013 in other configurations. After creating as a trio and a septet, the duo format was explored and has worked out well.

“I think the feeling we have onstage and the response we continue to receive from audiences has confirmed that it really works.”

It’s evident that the two are pals, since they exude warmth and have a free and easy interplay.

“Oh, we’re definitely friends,” Teicher said. “We were friends before we were collaborators and I think our artistic work together is just an outgrowth of our connection as humans, as people who are excited and curious about what art, music and dance can do. We spend a good amount of time listening to music together, watching YouTube videos of music/dance that’s very far from the genres we perform professionally ... and we get into long-winded conversations about ways of living.”

Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue” is featured, which Teicher loves. “Gershwin is really good music,” Teicher said. “For me, there's so much rhythmic variety and so many jazzy aspects to his composing. His building and breaking of motifs works really well for the way I like to choreograph and perform. And to my surprise, there's enough space in the compositions that allow me to contribute percussive lines without the work feeling crowded with voices. Dancing to ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is really a rhapsodic feeling.”

Tao and Teicher recently debuted a new arrangement of Act II Finale from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro.”

“We’re working on some new material together,” Teicher said. “So our upcoming work is a mix of the old and the familiar.”

The duo deserve credit for pushing the envelope and for connecting with the audience.

“We often get a standing ovation in the middle of the show,” Teicher said.