North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble
The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) is proud to present: “Regeneration” – a beautiful and exciting expression of nostalgia. Produced by its senior members, “Regeneration” explores the past, present, and future of this historic company and the dancers’ personal experiences told through the art of tap dance. This annual showcase features the company’s 34 talented members, ages 8-18, from all over North Carolina.
About Michelle Dorrance:
Michelle Dorrance is a New York City-based artist. Mentored by Gene Medler (North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble), she was fortunate to study under many of the last master hoofers. Career highlights include: STOMP, Derick Grant’s “Imagine Tap!,” Jason Samuels Smith’s “Charlie’s Angels/Chasing the Bird,” Ayodele Casel’s “Diary of a Tap Dancer,” Mable Lee’s “Dancing Ladies,” and playing the bass for Darwin Deez. Company work includes: Savion Glover’s Ti Dii, Manhattan Tap, Barbara Duffy and Co., JazzTap Ensemble, and Rumba Tap. Solo work ranges from “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to commissions for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Vail Dance Festival, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City Center. Michelle made her Broadway choreographic debut with James Lapine’s “Flying Over Sunset” at Lincoln Center Theater in 2021. A 2018 Doris Duke Artist, 2017 Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellow, and 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Dorrance is humbled to have been acknowledged and supported by United States Artists, The Joyce Theater, the Alpert Awards, Jacob’s Pillow, Princess Grace Foundation-USA, The Field, American Tap Dance Foundation, and the Bessie Awards. Dorrance holds a B.A. from New York University and is a Capezio Athlete.
About the NC Youth Tap Ensemble:
Founded in 1982 by Gene Medler, NCYTE is currently under the artistic direction of Emily Shoemaker. The company, hailed as “The Premier Youth Ensemble in the World”, has traveled throughout the country, as well as ventured to destinations such as Brazil, China, and Mexico. This pre-professional nonprofit company of dancers commands the stage with choreography from their impressive repertoire, showcasing pieces from some of the most talented tap dancers of all time, including works by Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, The Condos Brothers, Ayodele Casel. NCYTE has toured throughout the U.S. and the world, with performances in Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany and Mexico. The company has toured or collaborated with the Greensboro Symphony, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mallarme Chamber Players, and the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, among others.
About Michelle Dorrance:
Michelle Dorrance is a New York City-based artist. Mentored by Gene Medler (North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble), she was fortunate to study under many of the last master hoofers. Career highlights include: STOMP, Derick Grant’s “Imagine Tap!,” Jason Samuels Smith’s “Charlie’s Angels/Chasing the Bird,” Ayodele Casel’s “Diary of a Tap Dancer,” Mable Lee’s “Dancing Ladies,” and playing the bass for Darwin Deez. Company work includes: Savion Glover’s Ti Dii, Manhattan Tap, Barbara Duffy and Co., JazzTap Ensemble, and Rumba Tap. Solo work ranges from “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to commissions for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Vail Dance Festival, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City Center. Michelle made her Broadway choreographic debut with James Lapine’s “Flying Over Sunset” at Lincoln Center Theater in 2021. A 2018 Doris Duke Artist, 2017 Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellow, and 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Dorrance is humbled to have been acknowledged and supported by United States Artists, The Joyce Theater, the Alpert Awards, Jacob’s Pillow, Princess Grace Foundation-USA, The Field, American Tap Dance Foundation, and the Bessie Awards. Dorrance holds a B.A. from New York University and is a Capezio Athlete.
About the NC Youth Tap Ensemble:
Founded in 1982 by Gene Medler, NCYTE is currently under the artistic direction of Emily Shoemaker. The company, hailed as “The Premier Youth Ensemble in the World”, has traveled throughout the country, as well as ventured to destinations such as Brazil, China, and Mexico. This pre-professional nonprofit company of dancers commands the stage with choreography from their impressive repertoire, showcasing pieces from some of the most talented tap dancers of all time, including works by Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, The Condos Brothers, Ayodele Casel. NCYTE has toured throughout the U.S. and the world, with performances in Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany and Mexico. The company has toured or collaborated with the Greensboro Symphony, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mallarme Chamber Players, and the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, among others.