Disney tells us that a dream is a wish your heart makes. The holidays are a favorite time for dreaming, whether it’s for a white Christmas or a visit from someone special. Here in Alameda, the holidays often spur the beginnings of a new dream—becoming one of the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees. The journey from those holiday dreams to actually being a Tap Dancing Christmas Tree is an intriguing story in and of itself. This year there are 15 new members, or Saplings as they are called, and they eagerly shared their stories with us.
Jonathan Leavy first saw the Trees perform at Alameda’s Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of City Hall in 2005. When he saw that there was a man in the group, his Tree dreams were born, but it would take 20 years before he found his way to becoming part of the forest. It took the encouragement of his friend, Dance10 owner Ryan Justus, who got him into a tap class. Viviana Oliva-Kraft started tap class when she signed up her 5-year-old for class, and decided that adults should get to try new things and have fun, too. She was immediately hooked, and when other class members talked about auditioning for the Trees, she decided to go for it, too. Others like Lauren Meadow started dance classes as a way to meet people after moving to Alameda in 2024. She decided to audition just for the fun of it, but when the acceptance email came, she knew that she had to be part of this legendary group.
Auditions for the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees take place every May. Applicants perform a variety of tap combos and demonstrate their ability to move in straight lines while dancing, turning, and kicking. The audition is done as a large group, with portions in smaller groups, but no one is required to dance alone. Maria LoConte comes all the way from San Francisco to be a Tree. She recalls being wowed at both the talent and the vast number of people who showed up to audition. Aly Wagenman’s dream of becoming a Tree began after seeing them perform in Alameda and learning that her son’s teacher, Hazel Miller, was a Tree and encouraged her to start classes. Wagenman recalls that the three-week wait between auditions and announcements felt really long. So when she came out of Pilates class to see her phone had blown up with messages from friends in tap class saying that the results were out, she was overcome with excitement to read her acceptance email.
After the excitement of auditions and acceptance emails in May and June, the Saplings have a little time to review the commitment required to join the force and get their paperwork turned in. Then there is more waiting until rehearsals begin in late August. The first five rehearsals were for Saplings only to learn the three parade routines. These rehearsals, led by Dance Captain Jessica Martin, were a special offering this year due to the unusually high number of Saplings. Wagenman recalled that learning so much so quickly “felt like a lot of pressure.” Oliva-Kraft added that it was great that they were “all in the same boat.” And LoConte said that “amazing friendships were already starting to form.” It was clear that this grove of Saplings was going to be a close bunch.
With their heads full of new choreography, the Saplings headed into their first Full Forest rehearsal in late September. The organization provides Branch Buddies so that Saplings have mentors and experienced Trees they can go to for help or to ask questions. Still, there were a lot of nerves going into that first full rehearsal. But they needn’t have worried as founder Pamm Drake made sure the first evening was supportive and welcoming to all. As LoConte said, “tap dancers are the nicest!”
Once rehearsals were in full swing, it was time for costume fitting. The Tree costume is elaborate. There are many steps that must be done in a certain order. There’s even a separate rehearsal just to learn how to get in and out of the costume. The costumes are lovingly hand-made by a member of the original Trees, Susan Brown. Putting on the costume made each dancer aware of the history of the group, said Sydney Shelton Ferrario: “Every little detail had to be just right, including the lipstick. To finally see myself in that costume was such a proud moment.”
With the choreography and costumes in place, the Saplings were ready for their first performance as Trees at the Castro Valley Light Parade. Fears and anxiety came swooping back in. Wagenman was worried she would forget a piece of the costume while Meadow just hoped she wouldn’t fall down. Many were concerned about needing the restroom while in costume. And Ferrario was worried about the difficulties of tapping on asphalt as opposed to a dance floor. But when the first notes of music filled the air, nerves transformed into adrenaline-fueled energy and from there, to euphoria. Seeing her kids watch her perform as a Tree was a highlight for Wagenman. LoConte loved the bits between songs where Trees can “wave at everyone like we’re celebrities.” Ferrario said, “It felt like something bigger than myself.”
The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees are a 35-year tradition in Alameda, one that has enriched local, regional, and national events with infectious joy. And as Leavy said, “We all need more joy these days.”
See the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees perform at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6 at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, and at Christmas Tree Lane, on the 3200 block of Thompson Avenue, on December 12. For more information, check out the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees Facebook page, see their 2025 performance schedule on their website, or contact Director Pamm Drake online.
Kelly Rogers Flynt contributes reviews of theatrical productions and feature articles to the Alameda Post. Reach her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Kelly-Rogers-Flynt.
