after graduating high school in 1976, waag continued his education across the street at colorado state university. at first, he majored in art/sculpture. during his freshman year, however, he attended a tap workshop led by brenda bufalino, charles “cookie” cook and leslie “bubba” gaines. that summer, his network expanded further when he met charles "honi" coles when honi was on tour with the musical revue, bubbling brown sugar.