Tap

Doug Shankman serves as the Artistic Director of Contemporary Dance Arts, where he brings his expertise as an award-winning choreographer, project manager, and director to the forefront of contemporary performance. His innovative work spans theatrical events, television, film, digital collaborations, and streaming platforms. A passionate tap dance teacher and artist, Doug continuously explores new methods to create sound, rhythm, and musicality.

Mark Albrecht (he/him) currently hangs his hat in New York City. He attended the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy with a major in musical theatre and a focus in dance. Some of his credits include A Chorus Line, Grease, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello Dolly, Fame, and many more.

Jason E. Bernard is a native New Yorker from The Bronx, New York. He began experiencing theater at the age of four and began his Tap training at the age of six at The Ruth Williams Dance School and The Dance Theatre Of Harlem.

At the age of 17 Jason made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-Winning musical Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk. In 2000, Jason made his feature film debut in The Spike Lee Film Bamboozled as J. Bunny.  

Deanna Doyle (she/her) is the fourth generation in her family to be a professional performing artist, starting with her great-great- aunts, who had a sister act on the vaudeville circuit.

Jill Kenney is a New York-based tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer. In NYC, she can be found teaching various levels of tap classes at Broadway Dance Center and the 92NY. She is a tap teacher for the nationally-touring Are You Ready Dance Convention as well as Rhonda Malkin’s Fusion Heels Classes at Ripley-Grier. Jill is also on faculty at various Long Island dance studios and has taught at NYU Steinhardt and other studios in NYC. In addition, she holds her own weekly virtual classes straight from her garage.

Andrew Black has performed from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the streets of Tokyo's DisneySea. He recently dance captained 42nd Street for Randy Skinner at the Westchester Broadway Dinner Theater.

Randy Skinner is an award-winning director, choreographer, and performer whose work has encompassed Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, and Los Angeles productions. 

Charles Renato was born and raised in Brazil. He began tap-dancing at the age of 6 and hasn’t stopped since. Mr. Renato has won several renowned awards throughout his career including Best Dancer of the Joinville Dance Festival (2002), the latter considered to be the largest dance festival in the world by the Guinness World Records (2008). He was also the winner of the Brazilian network TV Globo Challenge Show in 2009. 

Kat Ponza (she/her) hails from Sydney, Australia. Over the past 20 years, she has worked extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and her native Australia as a Performer, Instructor and Choreographer.

April Cook (she/her) is an NYC-based teacher, choreographer, and dancer from Charlotte, NC, who has been on BDC's faculty since 2004. She received her formative training under Gene Medler of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, Barbara Morgan Eaves, of Rhythm Dance Studio, and Miss Donna's School of Dance.