Elizabeth Burke (Performer) is a “sinuous and sizzling" (IndyWeek), "elegant and expressive" (Broadway World), and “deft and impassioned" (The New York Times) tap dancer originally from Chapel Hill, NC, who now works out of Brooklyn, NY, primarily as the Co-Dance Captain of 2015 MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance's acclaimed company, Dorrance Dance. Burke has been with Dorrance Dance since 2010, and prior to that, spent 11 years under the tutelage of her mentor, Gene Medler, in the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. She holds a BA in Political Science and a BA in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College (magna cum laude) and is an alumna of The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Aside from her current work with Dorrance Dance, Elizabeth pursues her own choreographic and teaching work and various artistic collaborations with fellow tap dancer and artist Luke Hickey. (@elizabethrburke)

Tommy Wasiuta (Performer) is a New York City-based tap dancer and choreographer. He trained at Performing Arts Centre in St. Charles, MO, under the direction of Tracy Davenport and his mentor, Anthony Russo. Wasiuta is an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow (2017) and the University of Missouri–St. Louis (2020). He is a co-founder of the St. Louis based professional tap company, moSTLy Tap. In 2021, he was the featured tap dancer on an original album in collaboration with EBTKS. He was also a co-creator, choreographer, and performer for IN DUE TIME:  A Live Music & Tap Dance Tribute to The Dave Brubeck Quartet with the St. Louis Rhythm Collaborative. Tommy is very excited to be performing at the American Dance Festival. (@tommywasiuta)

Liya Grigoryan (Musician) is an Armenian-born, New York-based jazz pianist. At age five, Liya began taking part in piano competitions and performance tours throughout Russia and Europe. In 2010, she moved to Amsterdam to pursue a degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Liya has won high-profile international competitions and awards, including the Getxo Jazz Award and the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award. In 2018 she was selected as one of the semi-finalists of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition. Liya actively performs in the United States and across Europe.  (@liyagrigoryan.piano)

Charles Goold (Musician) is one of New York City’s hardest working jazz drummers of his generation. Born to an American jazz saxophonist father and a Haitian immigrant mother, Goold has used these influences to shape his voice and message in the jazz community. After a short-lived pursuit in collegiate track and field at Temple University, while studying Communications, Goold transferred to the Berklee College of Music where, unfortunately, after one semester he had to withdraw for financial reasons. Deciding not to give up on his dream of becoming a jazz musician, Goold moved back to New York city at the age of 19 and began playing in any musical situation possible. Finding success after years of hard work through teaching and performing, Goold auditioned and received a full scholarship to The Juilliard School, where he graduated and was awarded the JCAF grant. Goold has performed with a wide variety of acts across varying styles, from Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, John Hendricks, and Johnny O’neal to rap icons Cam’ron, Talib Kweli, and Ghostface Killah. (@chuckgeezy)

Mark Lewandowski (Musician) New York City-based bassist Mark Lewandowski originally hails from Nottingham, England. His interest in the bass took him to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. While studying at the school Mark was rapidly producing a strong name for himself on the London scene, playing regularly at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club by only his second year in the capital. He was also awarded the Yamaha Jazz award and is now continuing his studies in New York City as part of the celebrated Artist Diploma program at prestigious The Juilliard School. He has been lucky to perform with a diverse range of musicians including John Surman, Wynton Marsalis, Buddy Greco, Sheila Jordan, Henry Grimes, Steve Wilson, Paul Dunmall, Vic Juris, Martin Carthy, Jean Toussaint, Tcha Limberger, Julian Joseph, Bobby Wellins, Peter King, Soweto Kinch, and Zoe Rahman. (@marklbass)

Christopher Gilmore (Lighting Designer) designs for theater, opera, live performance, and dance. The New York Times described his work for American Modern Opera Company’s Cage as “Imaginative.” Recent designs include Ensemble Connect Up Close: Through Movement (Carnegie Hall), CAGE (American Modern Opera Company), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (New York Film Academy). Assistant/Associate credits include Trevor: A New Musical (stage42), Assembly (Armory), The No One’s Rose (AMOC/Stanford Live/Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), Radio Golf (Two River), Log Cabin (Playwrights), and multiple productions at American Repertory Theatre and Huntington Theatre Company. Currently, he is Assistant Lighting Designer at Boston Ballet. Thanks to Luke for bringing me on board! Proud graduate of Emerson College.

Christopher Marc (Sound Designer) has been designing sound for tap dance with companies such as Dorrance Dance, Music From the Sole, and CT&Co. Marc has also worked as a sound engineer with several companies around the country including the Kennedy Center, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Mills Entertainment, Aquila Theatre, and Harlem Stage. Off-Broadway: The Black Book, Aquila Theatre's National Tour: Wuthering Heights, The Tempest, Fahrenheit 451, and Twelfth Night. Skylark Opera: Berlin to Broadway, Candide, Putting it Together, and La Rondine. Other: CT&Co’s More Forever and Pacific Symphony’s The Magic Flute. (@cmhoffma)