Phil Trau was born in 1936 and started tap dancing at the age of 10, with his sister, at the
Betty Roopes Dance Studio in Marin. After three years at Betty's, they continued their dance
training at the Mason-Kahn Dance Studio in San Francisco. Phil's younger years were spent
dancing professionally, performing both solos and partner dances with his sister. Career
highlights include performing with such stars as Phyllis Diller, the Kingston Trio and Johnny
Mathis. They also performed several times for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and won many dance
competitions, including one in which they placed second, only to Johnny Mathis coming in
first !
During the Korean War, Phil and his sister were flown all over the country to entertain the
troops. After serving in the army and raising a family, Phil began studying swing dance with
Frankie Mannion. In 1977, Phil met Ed Cirio, and they began teaching swing dance in
Burlingame, at a restaurant called Beardsley’s. The dance hall was upstairs, and the
organization became known as "Top of Beardsley’s." Top of Beardsley’s was instrumental in
making swing dance the California State Dance. Over the years, Phil has won numerous
national swing dance competitions. Most recently, Phil began working with Tap Master Sam
Weber, recreating Stanley Kahn's original "Stair Routine." On May 2, 2007, Phil performed
this classic routine for the first time in 50 years at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville. He
brought the house down ! At 71-years-young, Phil is still amazing audiences with his crisp tap
dancing, stair tricks, and jump splits !
Betty Roopes Dance Studio in Marin. After three years at Betty's, they continued their dance
training at the Mason-Kahn Dance Studio in San Francisco. Phil's younger years were spent
dancing professionally, performing both solos and partner dances with his sister. Career
highlights include performing with such stars as Phyllis Diller, the Kingston Trio and Johnny
Mathis. They also performed several times for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and won many dance
competitions, including one in which they placed second, only to Johnny Mathis coming in
first !
During the Korean War, Phil and his sister were flown all over the country to entertain the
troops. After serving in the army and raising a family, Phil began studying swing dance with
Frankie Mannion. In 1977, Phil met Ed Cirio, and they began teaching swing dance in
Burlingame, at a restaurant called Beardsley’s. The dance hall was upstairs, and the
organization became known as "Top of Beardsley’s." Top of Beardsley’s was instrumental in
making swing dance the California State Dance. Over the years, Phil has won numerous
national swing dance competitions. Most recently, Phil began working with Tap Master Sam
Weber, recreating Stanley Kahn's original "Stair Routine." On May 2, 2007, Phil performed
this classic routine for the first time in 50 years at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville. He
brought the house down ! At 71-years-young, Phil is still amazing audiences with his crisp tap
dancing, stair tricks, and jump splits !
Phil Trau
Phil Trau
