Philadelphia, PA: The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, a Philadelphia-based ensemble that centers the work of women in tap through performance, education, and community outreach, launches their 14th season under the leadership of a new Artistic Director: Tamera Dallam.

A longtime dancer with the ensemble, Dallam joined as a First Company Member in 2015. She was promoted to Youth Ensemble Rehearsal Assistant in 2018 and to Associate Director in 2021. “She’s passionate about tap, incredibly perceptive, and calm under pressure,” says Founder and outgoing Artistic Director, Kat Echevarría Richter. “She’ll take on this new role with the full support of our Board of Directors, and will work alongside our longtime Managing Director, Katie Budris, to ensure both a smooth transition and continued, sustainable growth for the organization.”

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble began in the 2011 Philadelphia Fringe Festival with a performance co-produced by Richter. The organization, now a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has since grown to 40 professional and pre-professional tap dancers, including the group’s First Company, Apprentice, and Youth Ensemble dancers.

The ensemble’s new Artistic Director, Tamera Dallam, fell in love with the artform when she first laced up her tap shoes. “I love the freedom,” Dallam says, “the feeling of empowerment I get.” In addition to performing with The Lady Hoofers, she teaches tap at local studios, and attends tap festivals up and down the east coast and in NYC, where she has taken master classes with Chloe Arnold, Jason Samuel Smith, Dianne Walker, and Sarah Reich, among others.

As the new Artistic Director, Dallam says her “unique vision involves expanding and pushing our collective understanding of rhythm, technique, history, and jazz music as it pertains to tap dance while bringing engaging, dynamic, and traditional performances to audiences. I am, and we are, committed to sharing our love of tap with the next generation.”

The Lady Hoofers’ new season kicks off with a free performance in Dilworth Park on Thursday, July 18 at 6:00pm as part of Center City District’s Arts on Center Stage Series.

The ensemble’s mainstage concert series will continue with The Tapcracker on December 14 & 15 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and their Spring Concert Series on May 11, 2025 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

For more information:

www.ladyhoofers.org

About The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble:

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to produce original works of choreography while preserving the tradition of improvisation in American rhythm tap, bringing innovative percussive dance to diverse audiences. Founded in 2011, the Philadelphia-based ensemble centers the work of women in tap through performance, education, and community outreach. Support for The Lady Hoofers provided in part by The Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Media Contact:
Emily Leddy

emily@ladyhoofers.org