Spring Concert Series 2024

Directors’ Note

Thank you for joining us at our 2024 Spring Concert Series! We’re excited to be here at Penn Live Arts, which has a long history of supporting both vernacular and percussive dance. We’re also excited to be presenting a wide range of choreography this weekend, including two premieres and a host of longtime favorites. For the second year in a row, we also invited local students to submit their choreography and we are happy to welcome dancers from Rowan University, Stockton University, and UPenn to join us onstage.

After the success of our Winter Class Series, we’ve been busy planning for our Summer Tap Intensive. This season, we also performed for the Kimmel Center’s Jazz For Freedom series, hosted master classes with the Syncopated Ladies, and hired our first ever male teaching artist for our Outreach Residency program at Moffet Elementary. We also completed our first Capital Campaign, raising $20,000 to build a portable tap floor. This would not have been possible without the generous support of our community, and we are incredibly proud, not just because we are a small organization, but because tap dance deserves to be heard.

We hope you enjoy this weekend’s show. And we hope you’ll join us at Cherry Street Pier on Friday, May 24 for our annual National Tap Dance Day Jam, honoring Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.

-Kat, Katie, and Tamera

Katie Budris Managing Director

Kat Echevarría Richter Artistic Director

Tamera Dallam Associate Director

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble

Spring Concert Series

Artistic Director

KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER

Managing Director KATIE BUDRIS

Associate Director

TAMERA DALLAM

Production Associate Wardrobe Manager

MEG SARACHAN

MARY KATE SELBY

Administrative Assistant Asst. Wardobe Manager EMILY LEDDY DEONNA POWELL

Choreography by KATIE BUDRIS, MICHELE DUNLEAVY,

SARAH COOK FLYNN, LISA LA TOUCHE, BECKY MASTIN, KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER, CALEB TEICHER

Stage Managers

CHRISTINA BROWN, LAURA DUTTON, AMY C. SMITH

Public Relations

BRYAN BUTTLER MEDIA RELATIONS

Board of Directors

CAROL BARNES, KATIE BUDRIS, TAMERA DALLAM, LAURA PENHALE, KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER, MEG SARACHAN, AMY C. SMITH

Advisory Board

SARAH COOK FLYNN

LISA LA TOUCHE

ROBYN WATSON

This concert is partially supported by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency.

FIRST COMPANY DANCERS

Sarah Vogan

Chloe Shupe

Deonna Powell

Meg Sarachan

Ariella Nelson

Katherine Moore

ASSOCIATE DANCERS

Tara Tucci

Rickia Dallam

Kennedy Barnes

APPRENTICE DANCERS

First Company Dancers not performing this weekend:

Madeline Braverman

Sadie Belkin

Lila Angle

Mara Fricker

Lindsey Clark

Julia Gregg

Paige Krissinger

Julianna Herrera

Molly Penhale

Mia Spallina

Frankie Stokes

Sarah Taylor

Aubree Hankinson

Sammie Smith

Emma Sonnenblick

Brittany Beatty

Michaela Clovis

Mary Kate Selby

ACT ONE

Featuring The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble Apprentices with guest artists from Rowan University, Stockton University, and the University of Pennsylvania

IT DON’T MEAN A THING

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble Apprentices

Choreography by KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER

Dancers

MOLLY PENHALE & SARAH TAYLOR

Music: “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)” composed by Duke Ellington; performed by The Count Basie Orchestra

CLUB COPASETICS

RU Hoofers Club, Rowan University

Choreography by LaVAUGHN ROBINSON, HONI COLES, & GREGORY WILLIAMS

Dancers

AVA ALLIEGRO, LISA MARIE CASAZZA, SOPHIE CREED, CAITLYN CROMPTON, AMANDA DRAYTON, JAYSHALIE JENNINGS, OLIVIA LUCANO, ALEXANDRA ROWE, TARA TUCCI, ALYSSA VELUCCI, SOPHIA WANINGER

ROLLIN’ STONE

Stockton Tap Club, Stockton University

Choreography & Performance by DALIANGELIE CORRETJEE & ANIYAH HARRIS

Music: “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations

BAD

Soundworks Tap Factory, University of Pennsylvania

Choreography by ARIELLA NELSON

Dancers

LILY GOLDSTEIN, ALEXIS HURTLE, MIA MANSFIELD, CAROLINE MILGRAM, ARIELLA NELSON, MATT SPERO, MAYA WALTON

Music: “Bad” by Michael Jackson

SHIM SHAM SHIMMY

The Shim Sham is a historic tap dance that dates back to the 1920s. Although its exact origins are unknown, the Shim Sham now serves as the (inter)national anthem of tap.

Dancers

THE LADY HOOFERS APPRENTICES & COLLEGE GUEST ARTISTS

ACT TWO

HONEY SOMETHIN’ BLUES

Mainstage Premiere

Choreography by LISA LA TOUCHE

Dancers

KATIE BUDRIS, KATHERINE MOORE, MOLLY PENHALE, MEG SARACHAN, CHLOE SHUPE, SARAH VOGAN

Understudies

ARIELLA NELSON, MIA SPALLINA

Music: “Honey Somethin’ Blues” written and arranged by Tommy Campbell and Lisa La Touche; performed by Ben Patterson; influenced by Oscar Peterson’s “Honeysuckle Rose” c/o album Tracks, originally composed by Thomas “Fats” Waller

HONEYSUCKLE ROSE

Choreography by BECKY MASTIN

Dancers

JULIANNA HERRERA, ARIELLA NELSON, DEONNA POWELL

Understudies

MARA FRICKER, AUBREE HANKINSON, PAIGE KRISSINGER

Music: “Honeysuckle Rose” composed by Thomas “Fats” Waller; performed by Jane Monheit

LIFE GOES TO A PARTY

Choreography by KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER

Dancers

LILA ANGLE, SADIE BELKIN, LINDSEY CLARK, MARA FRICKER, JULIA GREGG, AUBREE HANKINSON, MOLLY PENHALE, SAMMIE SMITH, SARAH TAYLOR

Understudies

MADELINE BRAVERMAN, PAIGE KRISSINGER, EMMA SONNENBLICK, MIA SPALLINA

Music: “Life Goes to a Party” by Benny Goodman

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

Choreography & Performance by CHLOE SHUPE

Music: “Pennies From Heaven” composed by Arthur Johnston & Jonny Burke; performed by Louis Prima

SILENT LADIES

Choreography by KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER

Dancers

SADIE BELKIN, EMMA SONNENBLICK, SAMMIE SMITH, MIA SPALLINA, SARAH TAYLOR

Understudies

LILA ANGLE, LINDSEY CLARK, MARA FRICKER, JULIA GREGG, AUBREE HANKINSON, PAIGE KRISSINGER, MOLLY PENHALE, FRANKIE STOKES

STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY World Premiere

Choreography by SARAH COOK FLYNN

Dancers

KATIE BUDRIS, AUBREE HANKINSON, JULIANNA HERRERA, KATHERINE MOORE, MOLLY PENHALE, MEG SARACHAN, CHLOE SHUPE, SARAH VOGAN

Understudies

LILA ANGLE, MADELINE BRAVERMAN, EMMA SONNENBLICK, SAMMIE SMITH, MIA SPALLINA, SARAH TAYLOR

Music: “Stompin’ at the Savoy” by Edgar Sampson; performed by Harry Connick, Jr.

INTERMISSION 15 minutes

ACT THREE

. . . AND AWAY.

Choreography by CALEB TEICHER

Dancers

KATIE BUDRIS, MEG SARACHAN, CHLOE SHUPE, MIA SPALLINA, SARAH VOGAN

Understudy

KATHERINE MOORE

Music: “Married Life Number II (Jeriztiction Remix)” composed by Michael Giacchino; performed by Jenisus

MEDUSA

Choreography: KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER

Dancers

SADIE BELKIN, LINDSEY CLARK, AUBREE HANKINSON, JULIANNA HERRERA, ARIELLA NELSON, DEONNA POWELL, EMMA SONNENBLICK, SAMMIE SMITH, MIA SPALLINA

Understudies

MARA FRICKER, JULIA GREGG, KATHERINE MOORE, FRANKIE STOKES

Music: “Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby,” Folk Song performed by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, & Gillian Welch; “Freedom” by Damien Escobar

IMPROVISATION

Dancers

KENNEDY BARNES, RICKIA DALLAM, TARA TUCCI

Music: “Groovy Flute” by Manu DiBango

PAST, PRESENCE, FUTURE

Choreography by MICHELE DUNLEAVY

Dancers

TAMERA DALLAM, JULIANNA HERRERA, ARIELLA NELSON, DEONNA POWELL, MEG SARACHAN, SARAH VOGAN

Understudies

AUBREE HANKINSON, KATHERINE MOORE, SARAH TAYLOR

Music: “All Names” by Yun Miyake

ALL EYES ON ME

Choreography & Performance by RICKIA DALLAM

Music: “All Eyes on Me” by Manwell, feat. Ryan Edgar

WHERE IT HAPPENS

Choreography by KATIE BUDRIS

Dancers

LILA ANGLE, KATIE BUDRIS, SADIE BELKIN, LINDSEY CLARK, TAMERA DALLAM, MARA FRICKER, JULIA GREGG, AUBREE HANKINSON, KATHERINE MOORE, ARIELLA NELSON, MOLLY PENHALE, DEONNA POWELL, KAT ECHEVARRÍA RICHTER, MEG SARACHAN,

2024 Auditions

Saturday, June 15

Youth Ensemble

2:30-3:45pm Ages 9-11

3:45-4:30pm Ages 12-15

4:30-5:15pm Ages 16-18

First Company

6:30-8:00pm Ages 18+

Auditions will be held at the Institute of Dance Artistry in Fort Washington, PA. For further information, visit: https://ladyhoofers.org/youth-ensemble https://ladyhoofers.org/first-company-dancers

WORLD PREMIERE NOTES

Stompin’ at the Savoy Choreography by

SARAH COOK FLYNN

2024 Guest Artist Commission

This short but playful piece was inspired by Harry Connick, Jr.’s brilliant interpretation of “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” and was conceived as a nod to the women of the American Tap Dance Orchestra. Working with layers of sound, space, and physicality, dancers incorporate swing and vernacular jazz movements into their performance, including the Charleston and The Big Apple. The piece requires incredible teamwork and listening, patience and finesse, and style and panache to capture the spirit of the Savoy Ballroom.

Historical Note: Much of the choreography in Flynn’s “Stompin’ at the Savoy” is taken from Black vernacular dance of the 1920s and 1930s, including The Big Apple. Named for The Big Apple Nightclub in Columbia, South Carolina, the dance was popularized by Frankie Manning of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. It became a favorite at Harlem’s legendary Savoy Ballroom in the late 1930s, and Manning also choreographed a version for the 1939 film “Keep Punching.” What? Another Real Estate Ad?

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Thank you!

At our 10th Anniversary Gala in 2022, we launched our first capital campaign to raise $20,000 for the purchase of our own portable tap floor. This March, thanks to a final generous donation from a longtime supporter, we completed our fundraising goal!

Over the coming 18 months, we will begin the construction of a new floor that will allow us, and other percussive dance companies, to perform at more venues and community locations – widening our reach, and making tap dance more accessible. The panels will also feature compartments for microphones that will greatly improve the sound quality of our performances, and as such, your audience experience. After all, tap dance deserves to be heard.

We appreciate the vote of confidence in our work that the generous gift to our Capital Campaign represents – THANK YOU!

DIRECTORS & CHOREOGRAPHERS

Kat Echevarría Richter (Co-Founder / Artistic Director / Choreographer) is a tap dancer, choreographer, educator, and dance historian. Her professional training began with the New Jersey Tap Ensemble under the direction of Deborah Mitchell and continued under Junior Laniyan of the London Tap Jam. In 2005, she received a scholarship to Oxford University, and later returned to the UK to complete her graduate work in dance anthropology. Kat cofounded The Lady Hoofers in 2011 with Too Darn Hot, an all-female, all-tap revue for the Philly Fringe Festival. Since then, her choreography has been praised by Lew Wittington of the Philadelphia Dance Journal for “tell[ing] great stories in tap and step idioms, less reliant on tricks and traditions and more on innovative tap artistry.” Kat also teaches dance history and all levels of tap technique at Stockton University, writes for Dance Magazine, and regularly presents and publishes her tap research.

Katie Budris (Managing Director / Choreographer) hails from Chicago, Illinois where she trained in multiple forms of dance and began cultivating her love for tap as a founding member of Footprints Tap Ensemble. She minored in dance at NASD accredited Hope College where she performed with InSync Dance Theatre, Michigan’s only professional tap and jazz company (now H2Dance Company). Katie’s prior tap performance credits include: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Nutcracker on Broadway, Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, Dance Chicago, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Chicago Tap Theatre’s Liason. Katie joined The Lady Hoofers in 2012, and quickly advanced to Assistant Director, and in 2015 to Managing Director. Her choreography “Unchain My Heart” was selected for performance at the DanceUSA Conference in 2013. In addition to directing The Lady Hoofers, Katie is a Senior Lecturer of Writing Arts and Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts in Writing at Rowan University.

Tamera Dallam (Associate Director) put on her first pair of tap shoes in 2004, and hasn’t stopped tapping since. Tamera has choreographed several winning competition dances; she also has performed as a dancer at Disney World and on Carnival Cruise Lines. Tamera spends her free time traveling up and down the east coast attending any tap festival she can find. She has taken master classes with Chloe Arnold, Jason Samuel Smith, Dianne Walker, Sarah Reich, and the Syncopated Ladies. She currently teaches multiple levels of tap at Parkside Academy of Music and Dance and works as a senior level Registered Behavior Therapist at Helping Hands Family.

Michele Dunleavy (Guest Choreographer, 2019) has choreographed and performed extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. She works in a variety of dance forms including tap, jazz, and modern, and her choreography has been presented by arts organizations in NYC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and others. Michele’s work has been supported through grants

from Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and the Galaxy Arts in Education program. She is a member of SDC, the International Tap Association, and served two terms as the Northeast Regional Director of the American College Dance Association.

Sarah Cook Flynn (Guest Choreographer, 2024) is well-known in the tap community as the founding Artistic Director of Footprints Tap Ensemble and as an established dance educator and choreographer. Having shared the stage with luminaries including tap dance legend Gregory Hines and Disney star Jodi Benson, Sarah has worked as an entertainer since the age of 15 performing on Broadway, in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, in Times Square, and on the bill at Chicago’s most respected theatres. For 11 years, Sarah served as Artistic Director of PA Academy of the Arts and Jade Dance Project, and most recently as founder and director of Lady Grey’s Lovelies, an awardwinning vaudlesque dance company. She has been an instructor at Penn State University, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, Dance Revolution, and many more.

Lisa La Touche (Guest Choreographer, 2021) has performed, choreographed and taught worldwide. Lisa’s credits include Broadway’s 2016 revival of Shuffle Along, choreographed by Savion Glover and directed by George C. Wolfe. With the cast, she performed live at the 70th Annual TONY Awards and she was a recipient of the Fred Astaire award for “Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway show” and the A.C.C.A. Actor’s Equity Award for “Outstanding Broadway Chorus.” Lisa has appeared on Amazon’s Original Z, The beginning of everything, toured with Savion Glover in Stepz, and was in both the New York and North American touring casts of STOMP.

Becky Mastin (Choreographer) native from State College, Pennsylvania, is a multiform dancer with training in jazz, ballet, and modern. Becky studied under Sarah Cook Flynn at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts and has been performing in Philadelphia since 2011. Performance credits include: Too Darn Hot, a Philadelphia Fringe production, and Cross-Rhythms - An Evening of Tap Dance. Becky was a First Company Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant, and Choreographer for The Lady Hoofers from 2011-2016, and she has since choreographed as a guest for the ensemble.

Caleb Teicher (Guest Choreographer, 2018) is a New York City-based dancer, choreographer, and director regarded widely in the performing arts as a leading voice in interdisciplinary collaboration. Teicher began their career as a founding member of Michelle Dorrance’s critically acclaimed tap dance company, Dorrance Dance, before shifting their creative focus towards concert dance work through Caleb Teicher & Company which led to commissions and presentations at some of America’s most esteemed performing arts venues: Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater, New York City Center, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and countless others.

Celebrating 10 years at Moffet Elementary School

Scan our QR code to support this program by selecting: “Use this Donation for Outreach,” or speak to our staff in the lobby or at our merchandise table to make a contribution by cash or check.

After a decade of working with the fifth grade at Moffet Elementary School, we are excited to be expanding our outreach to include the fourth grade as well!

To make this happen, we need to raise an additional $1,500 for our outreach fund. Can you help us with a gift today?

Teaching Artist

Emily Leddy

Teaching Artist Gregory Williams

We have also hired our first ever male teaching artist to ensure our students see someone who looks like them leading the class. Welcome, Gregory!

FFLAIR LAIR DDANCE ANCE FFESTIVAL ESTIVAL

25 PERFORMANCES

MIX & MINGLE W. DJ FOOD TRUCKS TICKETS

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

SUSTAINERS ($2,500+ and up)

James Keagle

Anonymous Donor

ADVOCATES ($1,000-$2,499)

Chris Blowitski

The Braverman Family

Steve Richter & Debi Echevarría

Drs. Barry & Debby Lurie

Paulette Singleton

Anonymous Donor

SUPPORTERS ($500-$999)

Joan Duckenfield

PARTNERS ($100-$499)

Carol Barnes

Deanna Beier

Linda & Rocco Bianchi

Britney Kennedy Bobrow

Tracy & Bruno Bonetti

Eleanor Breslin

Carol Broadbent

Chris & Jan Budris

Katie Budris & Chris Bryan

Chari Cohen

Rebecca Craik

Tamera Dallam & Bill Randolph

Scott & Pamela Dimeler

Sherri Gregg

Alvina Holland-Kline

Sharon Hough

Mike Klaene

Deborah Kramer

Martha Kubik

Karen Mastin

Lisa Miller & Ron Sarachan

Amanda Paschke

Laura & Brian Penhale

Melanie & Cody Richter

Rowan University RU Hoofers Club

Amy C. Smith

ENTHUSIAST ($50-$99)

Elizabeth Beatty

Sean Cadogan

Janine Darby

Susan Errichiello

Dianne Forman

Caren Hosansky

Lily Montalbano

Kat Echevarría Richter & Mike Montalbano

Katherine Moore

Katie Moore-Derkits

Andrea Pellegrino

Stacey Prickett

Stephen Royek

Laura Winslow

FRIENDS ($1-49)

Mary Abraham

Elizabeth Alston

Stephanie Cagliola

Pooja Chanda

Lisa Chaya

Betty Clarke

Cathy Cleary

Lita Cohen

Anna Daugherty

Marc Donahue

Suzy Dowell

Hillary Fishman

Patricia Fogleman

Ruth Fricker

Joann Gotto

Carol Hebert

Jean Hembrick

Mary Henderson

Donald Hoffer

Muriel Kirkpatrick

Jenalyn Koch

Karen Lynch

Kathy Maher

Lynne Norris

Robert & Debbie Oliveti

Anne Pavone

Shannon Peffer

Robert Powell

Matt Prisby

Sheri Raebur

Joanna Ruzzi

Morgan Selkirk

Edward Sellers

Pamela K. Shropshire

Jacque Smith

Jennifer Turner

Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins

Anonymous Donor

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Charities Aid Foundation America

Network for Good

Tapman Consulting & Resources, LLC

Wegmans

IN-KIND SUPPORTERS

Capezio

Delaware River Waterfront Corp.

Traveling Tutus, LLC

*Supporter list as of 4/22/2024

VOLUNTEERS

Pamela Adams

Carol Barnes

Andrea Belkin

Rebecca Bohley

Susan Braverman

Chris Bryan

Tari Clark

Jackie Deviney

Ruth Fricker

Kelly Fritz

Sherri Gregg

Jennifer Hankinson

Tyana Henderson

Debbie Knight

Tiffany Kramer

Jennafer Krissinger

Jeanine Lubeck

Emily McGill

Kelli Migliore

Octavia Monroe-Bell

Mike Montalbano

Laura Penhale

Alyson Seegmueller

Fred Seegmueller

Amy C. Smith

Cindy Spallina

Rita Whalen

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; all contributions are tax-deductible.

Support our mission:

• Cash or check donation at the merchandise table in the lobby

• Online at ladyhoofers.org

• Venmo @theladyhoofers

For our mailing address, or for assistance setting up a monthly recurring donation, please email: emily@ladyhoofers.org

Upcoming Events

National Tap Dance Day Jam - FREE!

Friday, May 24th, 6:30pm at Cherry Street Pier

The Arts on Center Stage - FREE!

Thursday, July 18th, 6:00pm at Philadelphia City Hall

Youth Ensemble & First Company Auditions

Saturday, June 15th

Institute of Dance Artistry, Ft. Washington, PA

Summer Tap Intensive

Saturday, August 24 & Sunday, August 25

Institute of Dance Artistry, Ft. Washington, PA

The Tapcracker

Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15

Suzanne Roberts Theatre

Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay in the know about auditions, pop up performances, classes, and our mainstage concert series, including The Tapcracker!