Michela Marino Lerman, winner of the Hoofer and FloBert Awards, is a world-renowned tap dance artist, performer, choreographer, band leader, educator, and all-around creative spirit. The Huffington Post has called her a “hurricane of rhythm”... and the NY Times has called her both a “prodigy” and has described her dancing as “flashes of brilliance.” Quincy Jones has called her an “absolute tap dancing star who knows her roots.” She very proudly, was mentored by some of the masters of tap dance including Gregory Hines, Buster Brown, Leroy Myers, Peg Leg Bates, Marion Coles, Jeni LeGon and Mable Lee. Michela can be seen featured in the new US Postage Stamp series dedicated to the art form of Tap Dance. She is also the only female lifetime honorary member of the legendary tap dance fraternity, The Copasetics. Michela has performed, choreographed, written, produced, and directed many projects throughout her career including leading her own group Love Movement. She recently was commissioned by the Joyce Theater to create and premiere her full-length work “Once Upon A Time Called Now.” Some additional performance highlights include the Whitney Museum of American Art, Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Marciac Jazz Festival, HarlemStage, Joes Pub, Little Island, opening night of The Shed at the Hudson Yards, The Other Palace on London’s West End, and co-producing the documentary film American Tap. Michela has had the honor of working with many legends throughout her career some of whom include Anna Deavere Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Quincy Jones, Jon Batiste, Roy Hargrove, Steve McQueen and more. Read more

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Chicago native NICO RUBIO is one of the leading Tap Dancers of his generation. The founder and director of SHUFFLE LiiiFE Productions and tap company 333 (Three Thirty Three), Nico has traveled the world, teaching, performing and choreographing everywhere... from Europe to Asia, Central America to South America. Appearing locally on Windy City Live and halftime for the Chicago Bulls, as well as abroad, from the Love Supreme Jazz Festival to the San Miguel Jazz Festival. Most recently speaking and performing for TedX at The Harris Theatre. In 2018, he received the Chicago Dancemakers Forum's Lab Artist Award. In 2019, he produced, choreographed, and even DJ’d By Way Of Taps: A J Dilla Tribute, which was performed at Columbia's Dance Center, in Long Beach California, and premiered in full at Thalia Hall in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. From 2020 to now, Rubio has produced in person and virtual events, such as Shows, Jams, Workshops, and notably his Footage Functions, that have furthered his contributions towards preserving where Tap has been, where it is now, and where it’s going. Nico’s mission is not just to expose the majesty and humanity of Tap Dancing and other art forms, but to highlight everyone’s iNFiNiTE iNDiViDUAL iNCANDESCENCE (light), via SHUFFLE LiiiFE. Read more

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Melissa Adao (MEL) represents 20+ years of dance education, community building, and self-empowerment. She has an MA in Dance from CSULB and a BA in Dance from SDSU. She is an Adjunct Professor at Grossmont Community College. MEL performs... and has created work all over Southern California ranging from award-winning repertoire, corporate flash mob entertainment, and amusement parks for Sea World, San Diego Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo. As an educator and community member, MEL uses her gifts and talents to mentor individuals to help them get jobs in their desired field, graduate community college, and develop life skills to be professionals and positive contributors in their communities. MEL started breaking at 37 years young and is sharing the message to the world that you’re never too old and it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. In the 7 years MEL has been breaking, points of recognition include Red Bull BC One Regional Cypher invitations, Break NG’s Up and Comer 7 to Smoke Invite, and Monster Night Champion. She reps with FLOORISTAS Crew and has a goal to build with breaking communities and empower individuals 30 and over that “you’re never too old and it’s never too late” to pursue your dreams. MEL is co-owner of an online dance program called The Confident Dancers, a transformational program using the power of dance to help individuals feel confident on and off the dance floor. Read more

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