Academy Tap Archives - Steps Academy https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/discipline/academy-tap/ Training the dancers of tomorrow Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:05:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/cropped-cropped-steps-site-icon-white-32x32.png Academy Tap Archives - Steps Academy https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/discipline/academy-tap/ 32 32 Jordana Rosenberg https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/jordana-rosenberg/ Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:04:27 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/jordana-rosenberg/ Jordana Rosenberg is a New York City-based dancer, actor, and educator originally from Vineland, New Jersey. She began her professional training at the school of the Atlantic City Ballet and continued into the trainee program. Her professional ballet career continued when she danced with Princeton Ballet School/American Repertory Ballet as a second company member. During […]

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Jordana Rosenberg is a New York City-based dancer, actor, and educator originally from Vineland, New Jersey. She began her professional training at the school of the Atlantic City Ballet and continued into the trainee program. Her professional ballet career continued when she danced with Princeton Ballet School/American Repertory Ballet as a second company member. During her time there, she performed featured roles such as the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake and the Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty.

After leaving the company, Jordana performed internationally aboard Mein Schiff 3 with TUI Cruises before relocating to New York City. Her most recent credits include dancing in Christmas Wonderland at the Eldorado Hotel and dancing as a principal performer for Emmy Award-winning choreographer Marguerite Derricks on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Etoilé. During the holiday season, she performs in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as a Rockette.

In addition to performing, Jordana is excited to be actively building her teaching career, working with the next generation of dancers at the Steps on Broadway Academy and Ballet and Beyond NYC.

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Karilyn Ashley Surratt https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/karilyn-ashley-surratt/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:21:27 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/karilyn-ashley-surratt/ Karilyn Ashley Surratt is a multi-talented dancer, singer, and actor whose 20 years of entertainment industry experience spans from creative development to final production and from the studio/classroom to stage/screen. Selected credits include being the first Native American Radio City Rockette (10 seasons), Rockette brand ambassador for the company’s partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, Fox’s […]

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Karilyn Ashley Surratt is a multi-talented dancer, singer, and actor whose 20 years of entertainment industry experience spans from creative development to final production and from the studio/classroom to stage/screen. Selected credits include being the first Native American Radio City Rockette (10 seasons), Rockette brand ambassador for the company’s partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, Fox’s Gotham (choreographer, co-star), SNL (featured dancer; showgirl), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas National Tour, West Side Story International Tour (Consuelo; Anita & Rosalia u/s), Reader’s Digest (cover model), BET/OnBlast (voiceover artist), and writing for publications and social media representing several theatre companies.

Ms. Surratt’s latest creative work includes script consulting, contributing to musical arrangements for the indigenous music sequence, and choreographing for Star of Freedom, a new musical, at Ivoryton Playhouse, creating art for the people during the pandemic as assistant choreographer for A Part of The Main, a collaborative work in the New York Free Arts Festival at Little Island, and opening The Muny’s 103rd season in Smokey Joe’s Café as associate choreographer & standby. She was also associate choreographer and dramaturge for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre’s most recent production of 42nd Street.

Ms. Surratt especially enjoys teaching and helping students of all ages foster a love and appreciation for dance and performing arts. As such, she has been an adjunct master dance instructor at Molloy University/CAP21 in NYC, a guest ballet instructor and choreographer for Oklahoma City University’s Broadway Bound Summer Intensive, and a guest instructor, speaker, and teaching artist in residence at Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, University of Kansas’ Department of Theatre and Dance, and Goodspeed Musicals’ Arts Education Collaboration, among others. Oklahoma City’s Dunbar Elementary School awarded her with a special recognition for her work on presenting an outstanding educational Black History Month Program.

Currently, Ms. Surratt teaches dance as a guest teacher and speaker, and she is on the faculty of nationally recognized theatre professionals at Muny U, The Muny’s virtual Education Program for high school students. She is an ABT® National Training Curriculum Certified Teacher; Pre-Primary through Level Three, and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Dance Education and ABT® Pedagogy at New York University. Ms. Surratt, a citizen of Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, received her Bachelor of Performing Arts in dance performance from Oklahoma City University, where she studied with Jo Rowan and Robert L. Reed. She has also studied in NYC with Kat Wildish and Madame Gabriela Darvash, in St. Louis with Pelagie G. Wren, Danny Clark, and at COCA with Lee Nolting, and in Kansas City, on scholarship at Missouri State Ballet (now Kansas City Ballet). Ms. Surratt is also a member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, American Guild of Musical Artists, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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Christina Carminucci https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/christina-carminucci/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:19:46 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/christina-carminucci/ Christina Carminucci, born and raised in New Jersey, is a New York City based tap dancer. In her youth, she trained as a multidisciplinary dancer at a local studio, seeking out further tap dance training at BDC, Steps, and ATDF (Tap City Youth Ensemble). While earning her BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management at Pace […]

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Christina Carminucci, born and raised in New Jersey, is a New York City based tap dancer. In her youth, she trained as a multidisciplinary dancer at a local studio, seeking out further tap dance training at BDC, Steps, and ATDF (Tap City Youth Ensemble). While earning her BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management at Pace University, Christina was fortunate enough to study extensively under the mentorship of Derick K Grant. Recognized as one of Dance Magazine‘s 2022 “25 to Watch,” she dedicates her practice to performing, choreographing, producing and teaching.

The Jacob’s Pillow Tap Program alumna has appeared in works by many of today’s greats, including Dormeshia, Derick K Grant, and Michelle Dorrance (Dorrance Dance), and has performed regularly throughout the NYC area over the past several years. She is fortunate to have shared the dance in venues like The Joyce Theater, Little Island, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), the Chicago Jazz Showcase, as well as overseas.

Inspired to develop work of her own, Christina co-produced “On That Note” from 2016 to 2018 and then self produced “When the Smoke Clears” in 2019. In 2021, Christina launched “The Solidarity Series,” an ongoing live performance series dedicated to both furthering the development and increasing the visibility of tap dance as it relates to jazz music. Passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of the art form, she teaches regularly at Steps on Broadway in NYC and at various workshops around the country and world.

Class Description
Christina’s tap classes, no matter the level, start with strong technique foundations, progressing through across-the-floor work, improvisation, and choreography. With a focus on history, musicality, and personal approach, each class is built around patience, hard work, and joy. Set to mostly jazz music, expect a fun, supportive space where making mistakes is part of the process—and swinging is non-negotiable.

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Aubrey Cheek https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/aubrey-cheek/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:19:25 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/aubrey-cheek/ Aubrey Cheek is thrilled to be teaching at Steps on Broadway, where she has been training since moving to NYC in 2015! She is originally from Florida, attended Oklahoma City University as a dance performance major, and graduated summa cum laude from Pace University with a BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management. Aubrey has trained […]

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Aubrey Cheek is thrilled to be teaching at Steps on Broadway, where she has been training since moving to NYC in 2015! She is originally from Florida, attended Oklahoma City University as a dance performance major, and graduated summa cum laude from Pace University with a BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management. Aubrey has trained extensively with the late Professor Robert L. Reed (tap), Derick K. Grant (tap), Al Blackstone (theater jazz), Chaz Wolcott (theater jazz), and Lisa Harvie (jazz).

Aubrey has performed in numerous professional theatre productions including 42nd Street (Fulton, Fireside) and Cats (Interlakes). She also choreographed Sister Act (Interlakes). In NYC, she was part of Pre-Production for Funny Girl Broadway (with tap choreographer Ayodele Casel) and 42nd Street (with choreographer Jared Grimes). Aubrey performed in In The Groove (choreographed by Dormeshia) and in Gypsy of the Year (choreographed by Chaz Wolcott).

Aubrey is an alumna of the Tap Program at the prestigious School at Jacob’s Pillow (directed by Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia). She was a student in the Dance Lab NY Broadway Choreography Intensive (directed by Josh Prince and Valerie Salgado). Aubrey was a scholarship student in the Gus Giordano Dance School College/Pro Intensive. She has presented work in several NYC choreography showcases, including Dance Astoria and NYC Choreographers’ Forum. Aubrey travels to teach and set choreography on young dancers around the United States. Professor Reed, I wouldn’t be here without you.” Respect the dance.”

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Katharine Ponza https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/katharine-ponza/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:19:16 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/katharine-ponza/ Hailing originally from Sydney, Australia, Katharine Ponza is a New York City-based performer, dance educator and choreographer. She currently teaches on the faculty of STEPS on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and Shuffles Broadway Tap & Musical Theatre School, NYC, and has taught classes at institutions such as NYU Steinhardt, LIU Brooklyn, and Juilliard. Katharine teaches […]

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Hailing originally from Sydney, Australia, Katharine Ponza is a New York City-based performer, dance educator and choreographer. She currently teaches on the faculty of STEPS on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and Shuffles Broadway Tap & Musical Theatre School, NYC, and has taught classes at institutions such as NYU Steinhardt, LIU Brooklyn, and Juilliard. Katharine teaches workshops and master classes throughout the U.S. and abroad, specializing in tap and theatre dance.

Katharine’s performance career spans more than 20 years, primarily consisting of musical theatre, but including gala performances and benefits at the Las Vegas Hilton, Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, the Sydney Opera House, and the Australian Parliament House. She performs at the Big Apple Tap Festival, Tap City – The New York City Tap Festival, Stamp-ede, The Choreographers’ Canvas, NYC, The Choreographers’ Forum, NYC, Birdland Jazz Club, NYC, and for The Ziegfeld Society in NYC. For 3 and a half years, Katharine performed as a featured showgirl in “Jubilee!” at Bally’s, Las Vegas. She is a founding member of Germaine Salsberg’s tap dance company, “Les Femmes.”

Class Descriptions:

Basic Tap

This class is suitable for all novice tappers or anyone who has never tapped before, and are interested in learning. We explore the fundamentals of tap technique, taking time to break down the steps, and explain what we’re doing, and more importantly: why. Whether you’re looking to tap professionally, or just learning for fun, this class will give you an excellent foundation to build on. In this class we cover a variety of styles and genres, from Broadway and movie musicals to more contemporary rhythm styles, so that students can see how basic tap techniques fit into every style and feel, and learn how to use the entire body to Tap Dance. The class is intended to be a friendly, fun introduction to tap, where everyone can learn in a supportive environment, while giving you a clear understanding of all the fundamentals you’ll need as you progress.

Beginner Tap

This class is the logical progression from my Basic Tap class, where we continue to learn and develop a tap technique that will span across a variety of styles and genres. The pace of instruction is faster than in Basic Tap, although there’s still plenty of attention given to breaking down steps and choreography, and understanding proper technique, and the ways in which your body helps your sound and can adapt the technique to mesh with each style/genre of music. As students are expected to have familiarity with basic tap technique already, choreography is more developed than in the Basic class. Still suitable for most beginners, this class may run a little quick for those with little tap experience, who may find the Basic class a more comfortable starting point.

Adv Beginner Tap

In this class we introduce more advanced techniques, and more complex choreography, building on the foundations of technique learned in Basic and Beginner levels. While some time is still devoted to breaking down choreography and technique, the pace is much quicker, and this level is devoted to more advanced steps and techniques, and more complex choreography. A solid foundation of basic tap technique is necessary to get the most out of this class. We explore music and choreography in a vast variety of styles, including repertory pieces from Broadway, film, and tap history. Whether you’re auditioning in tap, working to improve your technique to be able to, or simply enjoy dancing at this level, you will have fun in this class.

Intermediate Tap

In this class we focus on developing advanced tap techniques, and on learning and performing more advanced choreography. While some time is devoted to polishing your technique, most of the class is devoted to learning choreography, and developing and refining your style and interpretation. A strong focus of this class is the stressing of the “dance” part of tap dance – of being able to integrate good tap technique with all styles of choreography. We cover a mix of styles, so this is a perfect class for working professionals or auditioning dancers who want to improve their ability to quickly pick up choreography, and adapt to different stylistic direction. This class covers both “theater” and “rhythm” style techniques and choreography in depth. It also provides training on how to fuse the two together seamlessly, giving you a broad, flexible knowledge base, and an understanding of your own facility – knowing your body and extending it’s existing boundaries of what tap dance is. Improvisational skills are also developed, along with explorations of various pieces from a broad range of tap repertory.

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Kat Steers https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/kat-steers/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:19:10 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/kat-steers/ Kat Steers, trained in both the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti methods of ballet at the Red Bank Academy of Dance Arts. She received her B.F.A. in modern dance from The North Carolina School of The Arts. Kat was a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway from 1990 to 1993 and continued her training […]

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Kat Steers, trained in both the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti methods of ballet at the Red Bank Academy of Dance Arts. She received her B.F.A. in modern dance from The North Carolina School of The Arts. Kat was a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway from 1990 to 1993 and continued her training throughout her career and beyond.

Kat’s favorite credit is her 18 year career as a Radio City Rockette. She performed in The Christmas Spectacular, Easter Extravaganza, 1st national tour “The Great Radio City 60th Anniversary” which continued at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas,
as well as numerous television appearances in and out of NYC.

Fun fact – It was a Steps on Broadway teacher, Alan Onickel who encouraged Kat to take tap classes and eventually audition for The Rockettes.

Another favorite credit. Kat travelled the world with magician David Copperfield and was Principal dancer on Broadway in his “Dreams and Nightmares.”

Kat has been teaching at The School at Steps since 2012. She has taught ages 2 to15 in ballet tap and jazz. She has taught master classes in precision dance in and out of the city as well as for Backstage Performing Arts Dance Competition. Kat has taught numerous Rockette Experience classes and Summer Intensives during her career with The Radio City Rockettes.

Kat taught for National Dance Institute, founded by Jacques D‘Amboise, which brings dance to the public schools here in NYC.

Along with her dance career, Kat has been teaching fitness for the past 20 years. Kat is a NASM Certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She is fully certified in The Stott Method of Pilates and in pre and postnatal Pilates. She currently teaches Barre and Pilates classes at Equinox Gyms and The JCC uws. She has also taught fitness at Physique 57, The Body, Exhale Spa, ElementsBarrefit and livestream barre group classes for Corebarrefit.

Kat is a member of Equity Agva, Aftra, and Sag. Grateful to be a part of the Steps on Broadway community.

Class Description
Kat loves teaching beginner level to all ages. “The first year is where the magic happens.” Kat teaches an energizing class following a level one syllabus. Utilizing fun games, the children will learn both the names of steps and be able to count them. They will learn stage directions and be able to dance in and out of formations as well as moving across the floor. Basic musicality is incorporated throughout, culminating with an end of the year performance.

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Jeff Edmond https://www.stepsnyc.com/academy/faculty/jeff-edmond/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:18:28 +0000 https://www.stepsnyc.com/new/faculty/jeff-edmond/ Jeff has taught master tap dance classes in Japan and China. He was a tap dance coordinator at USDAN Performing Arts for many years. He was the off Broadway Lyricist for “Little Match Girl the musical” 2020, 2023, and off Broadway Lyricist for “Alice In Wonderland” 2024. Jeff Edmond single-handedly created a theatre department for […]

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Jeff has taught master tap dance classes in Japan and China. He was a tap dance coordinator at USDAN Performing Arts for many years. He was the off Broadway Lyricist for “Little Match Girl the musical” 2020, 2023, and off Broadway Lyricist for “Alice In Wonderland” 2024. Jeff Edmond single-handedly created a theatre department for Arts and Athletics on West 84th Street in Manhattan. He is currently on staff with Steps On Broadway.

Visit: jeffedmond.com for more.

Class Description
Jeff works on technique, finding the right adjustment for the student to get and understand the tap move. He enjoys choreographing to any style of music and having as much fun in the class as possible.

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