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2011 Tapology honoree
David Gilmore's recent performance credits include appearances in the American Festival of the Feet at Duke University and Tap Extravaganza in New York. A native of Charleston, S.C., he grew up immersed in the melodious soulful sounds of the South, finding his musical outlet in his hometown high school marching band and a jazz quintet. Since arriving in New York City in 1957, he has enjoyed opportunities to perform with the best of the best, including the legendary jazz innovator Miles Davis and Tony Award recipients Honi Coles, Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, as well as touring the world.
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Michela Lerman first appeared on Sesame Street at the age of 5. In February 2002, she was showcased on the cover of Dance Teacher magazine with Gregory Hines. In 2005, she was named by Dance Spirit magazine as one of the 20 hottest tap dancers under 20, and in 2008, Dance magazine named her as the only female tap dancer in its “25 to Watch in 2008.” Michela has appeared in both Tap Extravaganza and Tap City numerous times over the past decade. She won first prize in the Harlem Jazz Dance Festival’s “Hoofer’s Challenge” in 2002 and 2003. |
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Originally from Canada and now residing in New York, Lisa LaTouche’s platforms have ranged from the Beijing International Dance Festival as a dancer, choreographer and American media spokesperson, to performing on CBS with R&B/pop star Mya and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Jason Samuels Smith. Recent performances have included “Tap into Peace,” a story told in tap by way of the music of Stevie Wonder, choreographed by Sarah Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and “Sophisticated Ladies,” honoring the music of Duke Ellington. You can currently see her perform at Harlem’s legendary Cotton Club with Dormeshia and Omar Edwards. Lisa has taught and performed at the Brazilian International Tap Festival, L.A. Tap Festival, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World, the St. Louis Tap Festival, the Vancouver Tap Festival, San Antonio 3rd Coast Rhythm Project, Munich On Tap, and the Eastern Canadian Tap Conference. |
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Maurice Chestnut thrilled audiences at the Zurich “Theater Spektakel” in August 2010 when he performed together with Savion Glover and Marshall Davis Jr. with “Bare Soundz.” He is often invited to perform or tour as a special guest with such prominent jazz musicians as Christian McBride, Cyrus Chestnut and Thelonius Monk III. A New Jersey native, Chestnut began dancing at age 5. He became an original member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble under the direction of Mrs. Deborah Mitchell at age 9. As one of tap's brightest young stars, he was featured in "My Kid's a Star" and was a gold medalist in the NAACP Act-So competition. |
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Cartier Williams - As a member of Savion’s dance troupe Ti Dii, Williams' performances include the opening of the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, Savion Glover and Friends at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. He also appeared with Glover in Spike Lee’s movie "Bamboozled." A prodigy of Glover, Cartier has appeared on Oprah Winfrey and performed for: President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the White House with the late great Ketter Betts, and for President George W. Bush for the Congressional picnic at the White House. He played Da Kid in the Broadway show "Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk," in which he was the youngest dancer to ever hold that role. His first Instructional DVD, "CARTIER WILLIAMS’ HOOFING WITH THE BASICS VOL.1" is available at all Capezio Retail Stores.
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 Daniel Dawson creates a compelling view of tap dance through history and its significant impact on contemporary culture, theater, dance, music and social attitudes. He has engaged Tapology audiences for several years with stories and images that bring history to life. His extensive knowledge of tap and its cultural roots, along with his ability to connect past and present, leave audiences thinking more critically about art and its influence on our daily lives.
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Performing artist and educator, is a Flint Michigan native, Mr. Bradley is the founder of Tapology Tap Festival for Youth, The Flintstone Hoofers, now Tapology Youth Ensemble, and co-founder of Creative Expressions Dance Studio. He is also the promotional voice of Genesee County. Bradley is a graduate of Alabama State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and began his theatrical training. Upon returning to the Flint area after college he became actively involved with the McCree Theatre as a performing artist. As a result of his work through the McCree Theatre he was given the opportunity to work professionally in the hit Off Broadway musical “One Mo Time” in the lead role as Papa Du which resulted in an extended run at The Village Gate in Toronto, Ontario.
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Cherisse Bradley is a dancer and vocalist — one of the original Flintstone Hoofers. She is currently working as a vocalist and dance teacher in New York, continuing to use her skills to reach out to youths. Cherisse has appeared in Debbie Allen's "Chocolate Nutcracker." She danced and trained with tap legend Chester Whitmore and was a member of the vocal group Attraction. She trained and taught at Creative Dance Studio in Flint. |
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Frances Bradley, a native of Flint, Mich., began her training under the guidance of her father, Bruce Bradley, at Creative Expressions Dance Studio. She served as an instructor and choreographer for the Bradley’s Flintstone Hoofers. A 2006 graduate of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts with a BFA in Illustration, she worked recently for the world-renowned Mural Arts Summer Program in Philadelphia. Other notable performances include: “Tap Masters Honorarium” in Oklahoma City, Savion Glover’s “Footnotes” in Detroit, the 2000 National Tap Dance Day “Tap Extravaganza” in New York, “Bubblin’ Brown Sugar” in Atlanta, and the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival in Philadelphia. |
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Brian is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - Alpha Rho Chapter. As an accomplished stepper, Brian has led step teams to national championships and is a featured artist in The Human Hambone and Soul Stepping. Brian has also preformed on BET's "106 and Park" and the NBA's Championship Finals. Brian joined Step Afrika! in 2002. He recently earned a master's degree in Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary.
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Flint Mi. native is a soloist and choreographer for the New York City Tap Company, touring national and appearing in New York at the Joyce and Duke theatre. His credits include Bubbling Down Sugar at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Looking for Josephine at the Opera Comique in Paris, France. Dance Spirit magazine named him one of the top upcoming hoofers of his generation. |
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Quynn Johnson is a professional tap dancer who incorporates West African rhythms into her love of the dance. One of the original Flintstone Hoofers, Quynn has performed with Marvin Hamlish; at Lincoln Center in New York; on Sunset Beach in Jamaica; and at Latido Negro at Gala Hispanic Theater. She performed with Prassana Kasturi bridging Kathak, classical Indian dance with American tap; and in Lima, Peru, as part of the International Cajon Festival. She was recognized as the No. 1 Maryland State choreographer for students 12 and under in 2006. She holds a BA in Health Management from Howard University in Washington, D.C. |
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Natasha Graham is a native of Flint, Mich., and a recent graduate of Clark Atlanta University, where she earned her BA in psychology with a minor in allied health. She lives in Atlanta, where she is an administrative assistant at Therell High School by day and a full-time dance instructor by night. Dancing since age 2, she teaches ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop at three dance studios and local community centers. A skilled and patient teacher, she teaches on average 23 classes a week. She had the opportunity to open for artists such as B2K and Mario while exhibiting her art of dancing as well as singing ability. She has choreographed pieces for other dancers who have opened for Bow Wow and Lil Romeo. |
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Currently the Artistic Director of TapDancin’ Inc. of Boston, Dianne also works in conjunction with major dance organizations in Dallas, Minneapolis and Tokyo to facilitate collaborations and work opportunities for tap dance and dancers. She is considered a pioneer in the resurgence of tap dancing. Her three-decade career spans Broadway, television, film and international dance concerts. Throughout the world of tap, she has been dubbed the “Ella Fitzgerald of Tap Dance.” The Boston Herald called her “America’s First Lady of Tap” and in Dallas, “The Ballerina of Tap.” |
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Mable Lee is often described as irrepressible and exciting. At 80+ years young, she is still entrancing audiences with her own special style. She will present for the Visiting Schools Day program to introduce young students to the wonders and history of tap. She also presents for the Senior Citizens outreach portions of the program. |
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