2010 Bay Area and Santa Fe Tap Festival Faculty & Performers

(Artists scheduled to appear at both festivals unless otherwise noted)

Channing Cook-Holmes (Music Director/Drums) -- An Inglewood, CA native representing the West Coast, Channing Cook Holmes is blessed with talents that have taken him around the world.  His drumming ability, his syncopated rhythmic tap dance style, his singing, and his natural audience appeal, have taken Channing from dance company (Jazz Tap Ensemble), to stage (Riverdance, tour and Broadway), to small screen, (Bojangles), to big screen, (Gangs of New York).  He is the consummate entertainer.  Channing is adding directing and producing to his repertoire with the production of his current, award winning children's show Lil' Chan Can Tap Dance.  Channing Cook Holmes is a "must watch" artist with more to come.

Photo by Andy Mogg

John Kloss started to tap inspired by early performances of tap on film, and gained his first training in Chicago with many of tap’s masters.  John has appeared in the short film Tap Heat, as an ensemble member and soloist with Jazz Tap Ensemble and Especially Tap Chicago, as a founding member of the tap duo The Swift Brothers, and in festival productions such as the St. Louis Tap Festival, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and the Maui Tap Experience.  John has also been a featured performer at San Francisco 's Bay Area Dance Awards.  Inspired also by the many incredibly gifted performing artists and variety of styles in tap, John’s interests have led to a performing resume that includes a notable list of tap artists and work in a wide range of settings.  He has performed in concert ensemble choreography of Gregory Hines and Jimmy Slyde, in film choreography by Danny Daniels and Jason Samuels-Smith, with Samuels-Smith in early incarnations of the group ACGI (“Anybody Can Get It”), and in numerous events alongside many of today’s top tap artists.  John has also appeared in festival and other events honoring such luminaries as the Nicholas Brothers, Four Step Brothers Maceo Anderson and Prince Spencer, Peg Leg Bates, Arthur Duncan, and Michael Jackson, and at national conferences of corporations such as Wal-Mart and AT&T.  In 2003, John established the California nonprofit STEPOLOGY, San Francisco’s Bay Area Tap Festival, and the festival’s concert performance component, the Bay Area Rhythm Exchange.  In his roles as founder, director, and performing artist, John’s efforts have led to programming which has twice been listed in the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Top Ten Dance Performances of the Year”, earned an “Access to Artistic Excellence” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and been described by the San Francisco Bay Times as invoking “…an appreciation of tap’s history while inspiring an excitement for tap’s present and future.” 

Photo by Rose Eichenbaum

Mark Mendonca's extensive career as a performer and choreographer includes performances for the last three U. S. Presidents, as well as performances on Broadway, television, and concert stages around the world.  Mark's dancing was motion captured for the animated feature film "The Polar Express" directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks.  In the year 2000, Mark was chosen to open for Barbra Streisand's farewell concert tour with performances at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  On Broadway, Mark danced in the Tony Award-winning production of "Bring in 'Da Noise!  Bring in 'Da Funk!", and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Davies Symphony Hll, the Biennale de la Danse, the Joyce Theater, Jacob's Pillow, The Tiger Palast in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Apollo Theater, among many others.  He has shared the stage with the late tap masters the Nicholas Brothers, Jimmy Slyde, Charles 'Honi' Coles, Eddie Brown, Steve Condos, Chuck Green, Bunny Briggs, Lon Chaney and Buster Brown, and has made numerous appearances with Gregory Hines, appearing with him in "A Gala for the President at Ford's Theater", and in "The Kennedy Center Honors", both televised on ABC.  Mark's dancing was featured in the Emmy Award-nominated documentary "Juba:  The Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance", aired on PBS, and in "The Summit of the Americas", which aired in Canada.  Mark toured both nationally and internationally with his won company, The Steps Ahead Tap Trio and with Jazz Tap Ensemble and has taught and performed at dance festivals throughout the U. S. including the Colorado Dance Festival, Florida Dance Festival, as well as festivals in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Portland, and Anchorage.  He has been on the faculty at Loyola Marymount University and Santa Monica College, and has also taught classes at UCLA, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Los Angeles County High School of the Arts and Orange County High School of the Arts, among others.  Mark has worked with director James Brooks, choreographer Twyla Tharp and fellow tap dancers Bill Irwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elizabeth Berkley, and Christopher Walken.  Mark was the first person to receive a Princess Grace Foundation Award for tap dance and was the winner of the 1997 Lester Horton Dance Award for outstanding achievement in individual performance.  Mark has also received a Brody Art Fund Artists Fellowship.

Image by Jeremie Nassif 

Jason Rodgers is a tap dancer/teacher/choreographer and actor who has been working professionally since the age of 10.  Under the tutelage of the late Paul & Arlene Kennedy, Jason began teaching tap at age 15. He has worked with Debbie Allen, Donald O'Connor, Eddie Brown, George C. Wolfe, and Danny Daniels (to name a few). Some of his credits include performing on the Academy Awards, the North American tour of "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk", and most recently, the European tour of Jerome Savary's "Looking For Josephine".  He's also been featured in commercials for Levi's, Hummer, Verizon Wireless V Cast, and Gatorade. Jason is currently teaching & performing throughout the U.S. & Europe.

Photo by RAPT Productions

Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (Santa Fe, and * schedule permitting for Bay Area Tap Festival) has been a part of almost every major Tap movie or show that has appeared in the history of tap dance since the 80's.  She was nominated for best actress for her starring role in the award-winning independent film "The Rise and Fall of Miss Thang".  In addition to opening the Harlem Tap Studio in NYC, Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards continues to appear as a special guest for shows and festivals around the world.  She was also elected to the Advisory Board as the Tap Advisor for Dance Magazine and the official Tap Spokesperson for Capezio along with her family, as well as being featured in their international advertising campaign.  Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards was also the private tap instructor to the iconic Michael Jackson over the course of 11 years.  Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards' career includes acclaimed runs on Broadway and off-Broadway in shows such as Black and Blue, the Tony Award winning "Bring in 'Da Noise!  Bring in 'Da Funk!", International Tour of "Bring in 'Da Noise!  Bring in 'Da Funk!" (dance captain/principal dancer/understudy to the lead role), and "Imagine Tap!" (featured soloist).  Other performances include the national tour of Wild Woman Blues and Debbie Allen's SAMMY (the life and times of Sammy Davis Jr.).  Film credits include "TAP" with Gregory Hines, Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" (Assistant Choreographer), and "The Rodgers and Hart Story:  Thou Swell, Thou Witty".  Mrs. Sumbry-Edwards' choreography has been featured in TAAP:The Art and Appreciation of Percussion and was also utilized in Michael Jackson's music video "Rock Your World".  She was also spotlighted in a commercial for Tops and is currently filming for MTV's hit television series MADE.

Sam Weber (Bay Area Tap Festival only) is in demand throughout the world as a performer, master teacher, and choreographer, and has appeared with such tap luminaries as Charles Honi Coles, Jimmy Slyde, Steve Condos, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and the Nicholas Brothers.  A protege of tap master Stan Kahn in San Francisco, he has been a principal dancer and choreographer with the Jazz Tap Ensemble since 1986 and is currently featured in "Tap Masterpieces:  The Hollywood Journey" with the company.  He is one of the few tap dancers in the world currently performing Morton Gould's Tap Dance Concerto with symphony orchestras and is the first tap dancer to receive a Bessie award, presented in recognition of outstanding creative achievement.  Mr. Weber can be seen on "Juba!  Masters of Percussive Dance" on PBS and has starred in the award-winning German film "Zwei Im Frack", which is still frequently shown throughout Germany.  Sam was nominated for an Isadora Duncan award for his performance at San Francisco's Bay Area Tap Festival.  Sam can still be seen often on the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" television show."

Lukas Weiss (Bay Area Tap Festival only) -- An innovator on the European tap dance scene, Lukas Weiss magically blends tap dancing, body language and juggling into one humorous and spectacular performance, displayed with virtuosity and ease.  His style is captivating, marked by such rhythmical richness and musicality that any other instrumentation is superfluous.  Lukas Weiss took his first dance lessons at the age of 12.  At 16 he was already on stage.  Besides tap, his repertoire includes African, jazz, modern dance, and ballet.  In 1998 he developed his breathtaking solo act, combining tap dancing and juggling.  This led to performances throughout Europe, in India, and the USA, and to special guest appearances in prominent tap dance shows and festivals.  In 2008/2009, Lukas Weiss successfully toured Switzerland and Germany with a solo programme.  In addition to having his own production company, he is a sought-after guest teacher and has a leading role in a documentary film about percussive dance coming to Swiss cinemas in 2010.  Lukas Weiss' stay in San Francisco is supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.

 Also Appearing:

Bert Dalton (Keys -- Special Musical Guest, Santa Fe only) Jazz pianist, arranger, educator, and producer Bert Dalton, originally from Chicago, has been living and performing in Santa Fe for 20 years.  He has led a number of groups such as the Chicago Jazz Exchange, Yoboso, the Bert Dalton Trio, the Dalton Brothers Trio, and most recently the Brazil Project.  Bert received his music education at Northern Illinois University, studying with Dr. J. B. Floyd and performing with Ron Modell’s award-winning NIU Jazz Ensemble.  He has performed in concerts, clubs, and jazz festivals throughout the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia.  He has performed with Herbie Mann, Anita O’Day, Bud Shank, Butch Miles, Howard Alden, Frank Morgan, Bobby Shew, Eddie Daniels, Regina Carter, Ali Ryerson, Dr. Art Davis, Gene Lees, Daniel Binelli, Von Freeman, Pete Barbutti, Mike Vax, Don Burrows, Victor Mendoza, Chris Calloway, Greg Abate, Doug Lawrence, and the Smothers Brothers, and has recorded with John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.  In addition, he has opened for Tito Puente,  Pete Escovedo,  Grover Washington Jr., Pancho Sanchez, and the Count Basie Orchestra.  In New Mexico, Bert has performed with John Bartlit, Rob “Milo” Jaramillo, Hillary Smith, Cathryn McGill, Michael Herndon, Daniel Ward, Michael Anthony, John Trentacosta, Jon Gagan, Jan McDonald, Arlen Asher, among many others.  He composed, produced, and recorded the “visionary soundtrack” CD that accompanies “The Shamrock and The Feather,” a published novel written by his wife Dori Dalton.  The 70 piece Allen Philharmonic Symphony performed a concert of Bert’s compositions and arrangements in 2004, including “The Shamrock And The Feather Suite For Orchestra,” “Duke Ellington Medley,” “Comecar de Novo,” and “Where Sea Meets Sky.”  His Latin jazz quartet Yoboso won the 1995 B.E.T Jazz Discovery Competition and was twice awarded Best Recording of the Year by the New Mexico Music Industry Coalition.  Yoboso headlined the 1999 Manly Jazz Festival in Sydney, Australia.  Bert has been Music Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico since 1998, currently serving over 6,000 elementary school children throughout the state.  He has authored a pianist’s manual and organized the first Music Director’s Conference for the national Association of National Dance Institutes.  The Bert Dalton Trio has been performing every Monday and Tuesday night at the La Fonda Hotel on the historic Santa Fe plaza for over 16 years.

jMan (Keys - Santa Fe only)  is a unique multi-instrumentalist who performs at over 100 events a year in middle schools, high schools, colleges, clubs, churches, festivals, and stadiums.  His versatile style has also allowed him to share the stage with the Harlem Gospel Choir, Linda Hopkins, Shirley Caesar, Deuce Lubin, Debra Laws, Johnny Britt, Curtis Young, Soulja Boy, Raz B, and more.  Joseph was also a winner on the national reality series America's Hot Musician as an instrumental performer, and he can also be seen in the music videos of Jive Records singer Usher and Atlantic Records singer Laura Izibor.  In addition to performing, Joseph runs a faith-based creative arts company called Pit To Palace Productions that currently provides a variety of musical and audio services and classes. As the company grows, he will soon be expanding into 9 other art forms.

Lamont Keller (Bass) renowned bassist, teacher/educator, writer and producer.  Lamont started his professional career at the young age of 12. Born in Indiana, and the youngest sibling of 10, music transformed itself into an outlet for him. Taught by his uncle, Lamont picked up the bass and never looked back. He displayed an early affinity for all types of music. By the age of thirteen he was working regularly in Los Angeles with various bands. Soon thereafter, he went on a world tour with a heavy metal band, “Garage Pieces” for three years.  In the late 90’s, Lamont spent years as a top call Los Angeles studio musician, working mainly with Q-Tip and a Tribe called Quest.  He continued working and playing for a veterans list of credits, including Grammy and Dove award winning producers and artists: Digital Underground, Brownstown, Vesta, Kenny Latimore and Kelly Price. Lamont traveled globally, playing for jazz, rock, funk and soul bands, from the Chitlin Circuit to sold out arenas all over Europe.  Lamont Keller is known for his eclectic groove sound and his improvisational skill and utterly unique, free-spirited approach to performance and composition.  He is compared and recognized to be a collective mix between James Jamerson, Ricky Kinchen and Stanley Clarke.  Lamont’s “take no @#$%” approach to the music business, has equipped him with the endurance and focus to maintain during the constant decrease of influential live music.  In the past several years, Keller has also turned his attention to teaching and conducting bass workshops for students interested in the enrichment of music education.  He also tours with a group of artists called “Got Rhythm” featuring tapper, Channing Cook-Holmes, teaching the art of rhythm through movement and music.  Lamont’s passion for music and live performance has become an essential part of his life, but comes second to his family life. Mr. Keller is a devout father of three and committed to them foremost.  He lives by his own personal quote, “I am more than just a musician, I am a man first.”  Lamont’s life has been a reflection of the black musician experience in America that at times, seem insurmountable. Lamont is an excellent example of a musician that can stand the test of time.

Maya Kronfeld (Keys - Bay Area Tap Festival Only) 24 year-old Maya Kronfeld is a rhythmically driven piano player and keyboardist working in many different genres.  Born in Berkeley, CA to Israeli parents, she has performed in venues ranging from Lincoln Center (NY) to the Viper Room (LA).  In addition to her work as a leader of the Maya Kronfeld Trio (an original jazz project featured recently on KCSM), Maya can be heard playing jazz and soul music alongside the Bay Area's finest artists, including Dave Ellis, Valerie Troutt and Destani Wolf.  On the national scene, Maya currently tours with Grammy Award-winning artist Van Hunt, and with the Memorials, the new rock band led by drummer phenom Thomas Pridgen.   She appeared recently as the keyboardist for Taylor Eigsti's band "Free Agency."  Maya looks forward to integrating her musical future with her primary interests, which are philosophy and literature.