Brenda Bufalino (master teacher, artistic mentor & guest choreographer), a trailblazer in the renaissance of tap dance, performs and teaches throughout the U.S. and the world. She has been one of the guiding forces in the creation of the numerous tap festivals, summits, reunions and workshops presented worldwide. As a master teacher, historian, author, lecturer, and choreographer she is recognized as a resource authority on the evolution and development of tap dance, one of America's few indigenous art forms. She produced and directed the award winning documentary film, "Great Feats of Feet" in 1975, featuring Charles "Honi" Coles and the Copasetics. She has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Apollo Theater, the Smithsonian Institute, the Kennedy Center, and in concert halls around the globe. She has also appeared Off Broadway in "The Courtroom,” directed by Bill Irwin. She collaborated and performed in concert with the late Charles "Honi" Coles, touring America and Europe. They co-choreographed the Morton Gould "Tap Concerto" and performed it with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Norwalk Symphony. In 1986 Ms. Bufalino formed the American Tap Dance Orchestra with Tony Waag and in 1993 they founded a sister company, the International Tap Dance Orchestra. The ATDO has performed throughout the world and appeared on the PBS-TV special "Tap Dance in America.” Ms. Bufalino continues to break new ground with her vision of concert tap dance in orchestral form.

Back to top >

Susan Hebach (director of year-round youth programs, tap city youth ensemble director and master teacher) considers herself a graduate of "Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center" where she was fortunate to study with a diverse group of master tap artists such as her mentor, Brenda Bufalino, and other inspirational teachers such as Barbara Duffy, Robin Tribble, Margaret Morrison, Josh Hilberman, Lynn Dally, and Diane Walker to name a few. As a choreographer, she enjoys developing new works and collaborating with fellow dancers of "The Tap Collective" , a tap company she founded in 1996. Her choreography has been featured in events such as "VII Nit de Claque" in Barcelona , Spain , to the offbeat "Vaudeville 2000" at LaMama ETC Theater and "The Elegance of Comedy of Tap", hosted by Bill Irwin at NYC Town Hall . Susan directs her own children's tap program, "Tap Dance for Young People" in NYC. She has also served on the dance faculty for Oklahoma City University and Stephens College in Columbia , Missouri as visiting guest artist. Susan is honored to have been part of Tap City since 2001.

Back to top >

Tony Mayes (teacher & atdf production manager) has been Production Manger for the ATDF for the past 8 years.  He is a current member of C3 whose performance credits include: Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival 2007and 2008, the Bridge for Dance, HOT! SummerSeries. Teaching credits: Vail Valley Performing Arts Academy, the School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas (TX), Connecticut Ballet Center (CT), and the Bridge for Dance (NY).

Back to top >

Margaret Morrison (master teacher, education advisor & guest choreographer) is a rhythm tap soloist, choreographer and producer who has taught and performed at tap dance festivals across the United States, Brazil and Germany.  She was hailed as a "consummate artist who breaks the mold" in her tap show "Body of Rhythm".  She is a founding member, since 1986, of the American Tap Dance Orchestra, directed by Brenda Bufalino. She toured internationally with the ATDO for 15 years and appeared on the acclaimed PBS Special, Tap Dance in America with Gregory Hines. Margaret also tapped in a national commercial for Seagrams and is a co-creator of Pulsation and Wombapusi, all-women ensembles of tap, percussion, and poetry that performed at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, NYC’s PS 122 and the Nuyorican Poets Café. Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times called Margaret an "exciting virtuoso dancer," and her choreography "a tour de force" and "the witty highlight of the evening." Margaret’s choreography is performed by ensembles around the US and was featured at Avery Fisher Hall in 2000.  As the Education Director of the ATDF, Margaret coordinates all of the training programs and workshops and co-directs the Tap City Youth Ensemble. She is a graduate of Barnard College, where she is currently on the faculty of the Dance Department, teaching tap technique and a history course "Tap as an American Art Form", and directing the Tap Ensemble.

Visit www.MargaretMorrison.com

Back to top >

Toni Noblett (teacher) joins the ATDF staff in fall of 2006 with almost 30 years of experience teaching young dancers.  Since 2005 she has worked with Rosie’s Broadway Kids where she is the Director of Faculty for all programs. Prior to joining Rosie’s Broadway Kids, Toni was the artistic director and owner of a private studio for twenty-five years. Years of experience with exceptional children, average children, as well as gifted children has prepared her for the challenging work of teaching in the NYC public schools. For the past seventeen years, she has served as an assistant and lead tap teacher for the National Dance Institute’s summer program, under the direction and mentoring of RBKids present Artistic Director, Lori Klinger.  She has been a personal assistant to NDI’s Jacques d’Amboise and  produced a segment aired on “CBS Sunday Morning with Bill Geist.”  Her background includes extensive work as a choreographer in local theatre high school and, and she currently freelances as a teacher, choreographer, and consultant in addition to her duties at the ATDF and RBKids.  Toni Noblett’s formal training in drama and dance has included work at East Carolina University and The American Dance Festival in North Carolina, as well as many years in attendance at Tap City and American Tap Dance Orchestra workshops.  Her style has been heavily influenced by Barbara Duffy and Brenda Bufalino.  She has taught at Broadway Dance Center where she created a video, “Creative Movement for 3 and 4 Year Olds.”  She is presently developing a tap syllabus for primary students emphasizing the importance of musicality and musicianship in those very important beginning classes.

Back to top >

Claudia Rahardjanato (teacher) Born and raised in Berlin/Germany, Claudia was trained in ballet, jazz and later in tap. She fell in love with tap dancing immediately and has extensively studied tap with Sam Weber, Andreas Dänel, Sven Göttlicher and Pascal Hulin. She has danced in numerous tap dance-shows in Europe (Germany, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Holland) and has been on tour with several touring productions around Europe as well as the United States ("Magic Of The Dance", "Dancing Feet", "Dancing On Common Ground"). After moving to NYC in 2003 to continue her education and pursue a career in dance in the US, Claudia has since appeared on the 'Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon' with Andrew Nemr's CPD Plus, appeared on MTV's 'TRL' as part of a 'Happy Feet'-segment with Robin Williams and Elijah Wood and has been a featured dancer in an evening called ‘Dianne Walker and Friends’. Claudia has been extremely blessed and fortunate to have met and spend valuable time (on or off stage) with masters like Dr.Jimmy Slyde, Dr.Bunny Briggs, Dr.Henry LeTang, Dr.Buster Brown, Harold Cromer, Mable Lee, Dianne Walker, Ted Levy, and Savion Glover and others. She is very grateful to have been able to dance with Dianne 'Lady Di' Walker, Michelle Dorrance, Roxane Butterfly’s WORLDBEATS, Andrew J. Nemr's CPD Plus, Susan Hebach’s TAP COLLECTIVE, Barbara Duffy and Company, Jared Grimes' T.A.D.A.H., Max Pollak’s RUMBATAP, Michael Minery's Tapaholics and alongside the fabulous Miss Mable Lee as one of her Dancing Ladies. Claudia is also currently on faculty at Steps On Broadway and Broadway Dance Center.

Back to top >

Courtney Runft (teacher and ATDF registrar), a native of Wichita, Kansas, received her early ballet, tap, and jazz training under the tutelage of Sharon Rogers at Rogers’ Ballet, Inc. During her tenure, she was a founding member of RBI’s performing company, “PointeCounterpointe.” While working toward her BFA in Ballet at Friends University, Courtney had the honor of working with such artists as Stan K. Rogers, Francisco Martinez (Francisco Martinez Dance Theatre), Melonie Buchanan, Shawn Stevens (formerly of Twyla Tharp Dancers), and Dominic Walsh (formerly of Houston Ballet). Since moving to New York City in 2005, she has been influenced by and currently has the privilege of studying with Bob Audy, Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, and Lynn Schwab. As the Education Assistant of the ATDF, Courtney assists in coordinating the training programs and workshops while also serving on the faculty. In addition to her duties at the ATDF, Courtney is also an instructor at Progressive Dance Studio in New Jersey.

Back to top >

Tony Waag (artistic/executive director and guest choreographer) founded the American Tap Dance Foundation (formerly known as the American Tap Dance Orchestra ) with Brenda Bufalino and the late Charles "Honi" Coles in 1986. As the executive/artistic director for the ATDF, he has managed the company for 20 years, in charge of administration, booking, promotion, marketing and fundraising. As a featured artist with the company, he also performed in hundreds of ATDO concert productions including premiere performances at the Apollo Theater, the Joyce Theater, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Theater Workshop, the legendary Cotton Club, Avery Fisher Hall, the Walter Reade Theater, LaMama E.T.C., Town Hall, the Sylvia and Danny Kaye Theater, Symphony Space, the United Nations, the Atlanta Arts Festival, the Utah Arts Festival, the Colorado Dance Festival the Lincoln Center "Out-of-Doors" Festival, and in various national film and television specials. International appearances include USIA tours of Turkey , Poland , Cyprus , Latvia and Estonia , the Bermuda Arts Festival, tours of Germany and Italy with Brenda Bufalino, the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland , Encontro 99 in Rio de Janiero, the 9th Annual Nit de Claque Festival in Spain , and solo appearances in Paris , Singapore , and Moscow . From 1989-1995, he co-created and operated, with Ms. Bufalino, Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center which became a model for numerous tap organizations and tap studios worldwide creating, producing, and presenting various educational programs for adults and children year-round, as well as annual winter tap intensives with master classes, courses and workshops taught by leading International artists and master tap dancers. Mr. Waag has received numerous grants towards the presentation and preservation of tap dance as a unique American art form, and in 2002, he created the first International Tap Dance Hall of Fame honoring the contributions of legendary tap dancers by preserving their legacies for future generations to enjoy.

Back to top >

Guest Master Teachers & Choreographers

Chloe Arnold (master teacher & guest choreographer) Inspired and mentored by Debbie Allen, hopes to also inspire and unite people globally through the Arts.  Ms. Arnold graduated with a degree in Film from Columbia University, and has directed a variety of projects, in addition to working alongside high-profile directors and artists. Over the course of her career, Ms. Arnold has had extensive experience in multiple aspects of the industry, as the co-director of the Los Angeles Tap Festival, the producer of over 20 shows, as well as her continued presence as an internationally recognized performer and choreographer. Performance Credits: Debbie Allen's Alex in Wonderland, Brothers of the Knight, Soul Possessed, and Sammy The Musical (dance captain); Savion Glover's All Star Tap Revue; India Jazz Progressions; Imagine Tap; and Jason Samuels Smith's A.C.G.I. and Charlie's Angels: A Tribute to Charlie Parker. Film/TV Credits: Outkast's Idlewild (Universal Pictures/HBO); Brothers Garcia (Nickelodeon), The Parkers and One on One (UPN), The Opening of the Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon's Emmy Award Winning Number, Dean Hargrove's Award Winning Short "Tap Heat" www.tapheat.com, AMC's Cool Women, Beyonce's Dance Double in "Upgrade You", and tap dancer in Sean Paul's "Give It Up To Me" (Soundtrack for the movie Step Up).  Choreographer/AC Credits: ABC's American Celebration, Debbie Allen's Alex in Wonderland and Pearl; and for her own company Syncopated Ladies.  Directing Credits: CUERPASO, a TV pilot and DVD, Music Videos, and commercials; Assistant Director to Melina on Music Videos for Beyonce, Eve, Jennifer Lopez, Neyo, Snoop Dogg, Kylie Minogue and more. Chloe recently launched her "I love Tap" clothing line on sale now - www.chloearnold.com.

Back to top >

Harold Cromer (master teacher & guest choreographer) was born in New York City, and began his 50 year career as a tap dancer on roller skates at the Hudson Guild in Hell’s Kitchen. He made his Broadway debut with Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman (later replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee), and Betty Grable in Du Barry Was A Lady. Mr. Cromer later performed around the world as a member of the well-known song and dance comedy team, Stump and Stumpy, with James Cross. They appeared in leading theaters and night clubs with Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Count Basie.  Stump and Stumpy also toured with Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, the Ink Spots, Stan Kenton, and Sophie Tucker, among others. In the late 1950’s, Harold became the Master of Ceremonies to Rock and Roll’s The Biggest Show of Stars, introducing such talents as Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin, Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. Mr. Cromer returned to Broadway in 1978 in The American Dance Machine as a guest soloist, which later toured many cities in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

Back to top >

Michelle Dorrance (master teacher & guest choreographer) has been tap dancing since the age of three and performing since the age of eight under youth tap trailblazer Gene Medler at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill. She performed and toured extensively with Medler's North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble from festivals in St. Louis and Chicago to Vienna and Berlin. Michelle has since worked with Heather Cornell's Manhattan Tap, Barbara Duffy and Company, Max Pollak's Rumba Tap, Tap City on Tour and was a founding member of Savion Glover's Ti Dii including performances at The Cannes Film Festival, The 2002 Winter Olympics and debut of Improvography at the Joyce Theater in New York. She has taught and performed as a solo artist at the North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival, the International FeetBeat Festival in Helsinki, both the Dusseldorf and the Heidelberg Stepptanz Festivals in Germany, Tap Encontro in Rio de Janeiro, as well as workshops and performances in Moscow and Tokyo. Michelle's choreography has been performed throughout the country and internationally, and has been featured at Jacob's Pillow with Cintia Chameki's Ritmico, at Birdland with members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, at the Joyce Theater & the Duke on 42nd Street Theater as a part of New York City Tap Festival's Gala performances, as well as in a commercial for Toyota Taiwan. She has been known to appear dancing on stage with underground music icons The Squirrel Nut Zippers and Bitch and Animal. Most recently Michelle has been honored to be a part of Ayodele Casel's Diary of a Tap Dancer, Mable Lee's Dancing Ladies, Harold Cromer's Opus One and was critically acclaimed in the premiere of Derick Grant's Imagine Tap! in Chicago. She is part of a life-collaboration known as deez and deez, and thrilled to be a part of her mother, ballet dancer M'Liss Gary Dorrance's T-Bone Burnette Suite at Duke University. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University's Gallatin School, and is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center. She would like to thank all the Masters of the art form whom she's had the opportunity to study with for their indefatigable love and inspiration and their technical and artistic genius.

Back to top >

Barbara Duffy (master teacher & guest choreographer) According to Gregory Hines, “Barbara Duffy is one of the most inventive tappers around today.”Barbara’s performance highlights include THE GREGORY HINES SHOW, where she was a featured dancer, actress and choreographer, GALA FOR THE PRESIDENT, performing with Gregory Hines before President and Mrs. Bill Clinton and as dance captain and featured dancer in Brenda Bufalino’s AMERICAN TAP DANCE ORCHESTRA. Barbara performs as a featured soloist across the United States and overseas, including London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, where she was hailed as “a riveting performer” by the Independent.  A highly sought after teacher, Barbara has taught at numerous workshops and festivals in 14 countries around the world. When not on the road, Barbara holds classes in New York City at Broadway Dance Center. Her greatest inspirations are BRENDA BUFALINO, the late LEON COLLINS and the late GREGORY HINES.

 
Back to top >

Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards has been apart of almost every major Tap movie or show that has appeared in the history of tap dance since the 80's. She was most recently nominated for best actress and currently stars in the award-winning Independant film "The Rise and Fall of Miss Thang" which

continues to tour film festivals. In addition to opening the Harlem Tap Studio in NYC, Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards continues to appear as a special guest for shows and festivals around the world. She was also elected to the Advisory Board as the Tap Advisor for Dance Magazine and the official Tap Spokesperson for Capezio along with her family, as well as being featured in their international advertising campaign.  Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards career includes acclaimed runs on Broadway and off-Broadway in shows such as Black and Blue, the Tony Award Winning Bring In Da'Noise, Bring In Da'Funk, International Tour of Bring in Da'Noise, Bring in Da'Funk (dance captain/principal dancer/understudy to the lead role), and Imagine Tap! (featured soloist). Other performances include the national tour of Wild Woman Blues and Debbie Allen's SAMMY (the life and times of Sammy Davis Jr.). Film credits include "TAP" with Gregory Hines, Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" (Assistant Choreographer), and "The Rodgers and Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty". Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards' choreography has been featured in TAAP:The Art & Appreciation of Percussion and was also utilized in Michael Jackson's music video "Rock Your World". She was also spotlighted in a commercial for Tops and is currently filming for MTV's hit television series MADE.

 
Back to top >

Derick K. Grant (master teacher & guest choreographer) A native of Boston, has been tapping for 28 years. He was an original company member and Dance Captain for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk at both The Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival and on Broadway. Derick recreated Savion Glover's choreography and starred in the role of 'da beat for the first National Tour.  Derick began his training at the age of two at The Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts, and by the time he was eight years old, he has learned the "hoofin" style of tap from the master tap dancer Diane Walker. Derick furthered his training in Los Angeles at Universal Dance Design Studio under the tutelage of Paul Kennedy. Derick spent three years with the Jazz Tap Ensemble touring the world. He is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award for Upcoming Young Artists as well as The Helen Hayes Award (Washington D.C.) for Outstanding featured Actor for his role in Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. Derick was featured at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts African Odyssey program, part of the Expresiones Latinas Festival. He collaborated on a piece that incorporated tap and capoeira with renowned Brazilian artist Nego Gato, which opened the festivities for singer Daniella Mercury. He also choreographed and performed in a piece on the history of tap that launched the Black History Month 2001 celebration at Aaron Davis Hall. Recent compositions were featured in The Queens Symphony Opera's Duke Ellington Concert in Ann Arbor's Arts Festival.

Most recently Derick's own creation A Night Out: Tap! toured the country for three months. Of his latest choreography and performance with Jazz Tap Ensemble at the Joyce Theater in NYC the New York Times said "Mr. Grant let gusts of rhythm propel him with remarkable velocity!"

Photo by Lois Greenfield

Back to top >

Jared Grimes (master teacher & guest choreographer) is a young and vibrant additive in the world of the arts where he is heavily making his mark in Tap and Hip-Hop/Street Jazz. His most recent projects include performing alongside with Wynton Marsalis, producing and starring in “Broadway Underground”, performing in the cast of Derick K. Grant’s “Imagine Tap”, as well as the 2006 Latin Grammy’s, 2006 MTV Video Music Awards with Busta Rhymes, and the 2005 VH-1 Hip Hop Honors. On numerous occasions, he has danced alongside legends such as Gregory Hines, Fayard Nicholas, Author Duncan and performed for timeless icons such as Ben Vereen, Debbie Allen, and Jerry Lewis. He is a member of "Rhapsody The Company", and has performed across the United States and abroad with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, directed by Gene Medlar. Grimes has also toured with Musical legend, Mariah Carey, under the choreography of Marty Kudelka, and danced for artists such as Common, Salt N Peppa, Envogue, and the Roots under choreographer, Fatima. Jared's live stage credits include "Babes in Arms" at the Goodspeed Opera House, "Sammy," directed by Debbie Allen, the North Carolina GTC production of "Sophisticated Ladies", and "Vaudeville" directed by Chris D'Amboise. Grimes has appeared in commercials for Coca-Cola and television shows such as CBS' "Star Search," "Showtime at the Apollo," ABC Family's "Dance Fever" and The Jerry Lewis Telethon. His feature film credits include New Line Cinemas "Little Manhattan" and Elevation Filmworks' "First Born," starring Elizabeth Shue.  

 
Back to top >

Molutsi Mogami (master teacher & guest choreographer)– South African Gum Boot Dance -- was born in South Africa in the North West province in the small city called Matlosane and started dancing as a child.  In high school he began teaching and formed a community performing group.  He is a dynamic performer who specializes in singing, dancing, drumming and playing ancient instruments.   He has performed across the world in China, Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, and throughout Africa, and is currently featured in a hit Off-Broadway show featuring the music, dance and drumming of South Africa.  Molutsi will be teaching South African Gum Boot Dance, an exciting form of percussive dance created by South African miners involving stomping foot percussion and slapping and clapping complex poly-rhythms against knee-high rubber boots. 

Back to top >

Jason Samuels-Smith (master teacher & guest choreographer) has emerged as a multi-talented leader in the Art form of Tap. He won both an Emmy and American Choreography Award for "Outstanding Choreography" for the Opening number of the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon in a tribute to the late Gregory Hines. Mr. Samuels-Smith most recently received the Gregory Hines Humanitarian in addition to past honors including a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Los Angeles for creating the First Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2003; a Proclamation declaring April 23rd "Jason Samuels Day" from the City of Shreveport, Louisiana; the "Ivy of Education" from Brainerd Institute; the "President Kenny Award" from Stony Brook; an Alpert/McDowell Residency Award; and an Arts International Grant among others.  Mr. Samuels Smith most recently appeared as a special guest on Fox's hit series "So You Think You Can Dance" and is currently working as a choreographer for a new reality show scheduled to debut this coming season. Films include co-starring in Dean Hargrove's "Tap Heat", a dynamic award-winning short film touring film festivals worldwide (available on DVD); Outkast's feature film "Idlewild"; and Debbie Allen's AMC television series "Cool Women" to name a few. Performances include Sammy (a tribute to the life of Sammy Davis jr.), and in a leading role of the star-studded production of Soul Possessed; the Tony Award winning Broadway cast of Bring in Da'Noise, Bring in Da'Funk in principal and lead roles; starring in the critically acclaimed production of Imagine Tap!. Mr. Samuels Smith continues to tour the US and beyond with India Jazz Suites, a dynamic collaboration with Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das, his own tap company A.C.G.I (Anybody Can Get It), JaJa Productions Band featuring jazz-influenced hip hop music, and Charlie's Angels: A Tribute to Charlie Parker which features some of the best women performers today. 
Back to top >