2009 Faculty Bios
Arthur Duncan - L.A.
One of the very few living treasures of tap, Arthur earned his legendary status during one of the most illustrious careers in the art form. We are honoured to have him here as a performer and teacher. Early on he was invariably introduced as, "the young man who is keeping tap dancing alive," by Lawrence Welk, during the long run of his program, a big hit internationally. The only tap dancer on TV at the time, Arthur remained front and centre for 18 years, the first African American to appear as a regular in a weekly variety show and a world-wide inspiration to dancers and fans. Among the most recent projects of one of the greatest names in tap is the movie Tap Heat, starring Duncan and Jason Samuels Smith and choreographed by Danny Daniels. Arthur was featured in the four-generation tap opening of the 2003 Jerry Lewis Telethon, dedicated to Gregory Hines and is currently touring as a featured guest artist with The Souls of Our Feet.
Dianne (Lady Di) Walker - Boston
A legendary 30-year career spanning Broadway, TV, film and international Jazz dance concerts and festivals has brought Walker to a pioneering role in tap dancing's resurgence. United States Artists recently selected Dianne as the USA "Rose Fellow 2008, Dance." She is currently touring with The Souls of Our Feet, produced by Acia Gray, and funded in part by the American Masterpieces Program. Dubbed the "Ella Fitzgerald of Tap Dance," she is also known affectionately as "Aunt Dianne," acknowledging her unique role as mentor, teacher and confidante. Dianne has a Master's degree in Education, and has taught at Harvard, Williams College, University of Michigan, UCLA, Bates, and Wesleyan.
Lane Alexander - Chicago
A leading figure in international tap, the career of this co-founder and 20-year director of Chicago Human Rhythm Project spans more than three decades, including the concert stage, musical theater, television and film. Lane has earned a worldwide reputation for growing the awareness and recognition of tap as an art form. One of the foremost experts on Morton Gould's Tap Dance Concerto, he has performed the work at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, and with other major symphony orchestras. Creating a repertory of tap and modern dance that stretches boundaries, the first dedicated presenter of tap and contemporary percussive arts in the US founded the ensemble, BAM!, and has earned prestigious awards too numerous to mention. After appearing and studying with the greats, Lane teaches and performs globally, has served on numerous international boards of directors and designed the Concerto tap shoe.
Heather Cornell - New York
Recently premiered her solo show, Finding Synesthesia for the London Jazz Festival at the UK's prestigious Southbank Center, a collaboration with celebrated musicians, a hallmark of her career. Dubbed "the Oscar Peterson of hoofing" Heather apprenticed with six of the first generation of American tap masters and has performed frequently with many, including Buster Brown, Eddie Brown and Cookie Cook. Cornell is artistic director and principal
choreographer for Manhattan Tap, an international ensemble of dancers and musicians revered for its innovative collaborations featuring original music. A pioneer of concert tap who travels the world with her company and as a soloist, she has created works with the late jazz icon Ray Brown, film composer Bob Telson (Gospel at Colonus), Chango Spasiuk, and the world-music blend of Keith Terry and Crosspulse.
Gene Medler - Chapel Hill
Founder and director of the highly acclaimed North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble in 1982, Gene is also director of the NC Rhythm Tap Festival. Medler was chosen for the 2003 North Carolina Dance Alliance award for his ongoing commitment to dance in the state and for his resounding achievement as a dance artist. In 2005 he was invited to be a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center in New York. Producer's note: "VTDS was privileged to have Gene as our 2009 Artist in Residence. He is a 'tap treasure' who inspired, informed and enlightened our dancers, staff and volunteers."
Terry Brock - Portland
Terry has been on the staff of Dance Masters of America and has taught master classes and workshops world-wide. Her long and outstanding rhythm tap dance career has included sharing the stage with Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, the Nicholas Brothers and the Copasetics. Terry is a former member of the prestigious Jazz Tap Ensemble, has toured internationally and performed at venues that include the Kennedy Centre and Carnegie Hall.
Cheryl Johnson & Anthony Peters - Seattle
Tap artists with international credits, they have performed Off-Broadway, on concert tours, for TV, and in numerous commercials, music videos and festivals. Their creative work features the art of tap combined with live music and they are described as "musicians of the body..." and..."delicious artistic flavors that tickle the taste buds...Seattle's best blend of dance and music." Johnson & Peters have created many full-length tap dance concerts. In addition to freelance choreography and performing, they operate their Tap Dance Studio in Seattle, teach workshops throughout the Northwest and are guest artists on the faculty of the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Theatre. www.tapdanceseattle.com
Lisa LaTouche - Calgary/New York
Originally from Canada, Lisa's experience ranges from the Beijing International Dance Festival - as a dancer, choreographer and American media spokesperson - to performing on CBS with R&B and pop star Mya and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Jason Samuels Smith. Recent performances have included Sophisticated Ladies, Living the Music of Duke Ellington, and Tap into Peace, a story told in tap by way of the music of Stevie Wonder. Lisa has taught and performed at the leading international tap festivals including in Brazil, L.A, Chicago, St. Louis, Vancouver, Munich and in Eastern Canada.
Tasha Lawson - Austin
A multi-form dance artist, choreographer and educator throughout Canada and the US, Tasha specializes in rhythm tap and contemporary dance. Tasha has been a guest artist and faculty member at numerous international festivals.
Travis Knights - Montreal
One of Canada's premier tap dancers, Travis started dancing at age 10 after being inspired by a televised Gregory Hines tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. In 1996 he danced with Hines himself and four years later Gregory invited him to appear in his film Bojangles which chronicled the life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. In 2006, Travis was selected as the primary dancer in the motion picture capture sessions for the video game adaptation of the animated feature, Happy Feet.
Jason Janas - Austin
Now in his 7th year with Tapestry Dance Company and on tour with Acia Gray's The Souls of Our Feet, Jason originally hails from New Jersey where he began rhythm tap under the direction of Deborah Mitchell. His dance education includes training and performing with Tapestry and his tenure as a charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. His career has been influenced and ignited through interaction with other with dancers such as Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino and other masters. Jason continues to teach and choreograph from coast-to-coast while he evolves as a multiform rhythm tap dancer.
Matt Shields - Austin
Originally from the Toronto area, Matt is currently in his 5th season as a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company. Matt has also studied and performed with many of the current leading figures in tap, including: Derick K. Grant, Sarah Petronio and Heather Cornell.
Danny Nielsen - Calgary
At age 14 Danny met his mentor Lisa La Touche, who opened his eyes to a whole new world of tap. The association led to a spot in her renowned company MADD Rhythms Canada, as well as opportunities to perform with the original MADD Rhythms in Chicago. Nielsen's credits include performances at tap festivals in St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Most recently, Danny worked with the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Company, which commissioned his choreography for their 2008 show Tinge and Tone, and he was a guest artist during the Vancouver Tap Dance Society's 2008/09 season.
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