Known throughout the New York area as a distinguished tap professional, Deborah Mitchell is the protege of Leslie 'Bubba' Gaines and student of many tap master including the legendary Henry LeTang. Artistic Director and Founder of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble Deborah's many credits include, 'The Cotton Club', directed by Francis Ford Coppola; the Broadway and Paris productions of 'Black and Blue'; PBS Great Performances; partnership with Germaine Goodson as The Rhythm Queens and five world tours with the great Cab Calloway.
Deborah is the Artistic Director and Founder of the celebrated New Jersey Tap Ensemble (NJTAP). She is also the producer of the NJTAP's Touring Tap Boot Camp and participates in many national events including the annual New York City Tap Festival, St. Louis Tap Festival and Traditions in Tap. She was a guest panelist on the subject of 'Tap as an American Art Form' at the Dance in the Millennium Conference in Washington, D.C. and continues to participate in global forums that focus on the perpetuation, appreciation and promotion of the art of tap dancing.
Deborah is a strong advocate for the arts and education, As principal affiliate of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, she participated at the Center's Dance Academy as tap instructor and work facilitator. Deborah was also instrumental in establishing tap dance as a technique to be offered to children at the Dance Academy.
A master teacher and a motivational speaker on the art
form of tap dancing, she provides in-service training to teachers and
dance educators throughout the New York 'tri-state area'. Deborah is
chairperson for the Tap Department of Sharon Miller's Academy for the
Performing Arts in Montclair, New Jersey; serves on the advisory boad
of Tony Wagg's Tap City in New York City; is assistant director and
choreographer for the Theatre Workshop Peppermint Players and a board
member for Alliance for Arts Education in New Jersey.
Recipient of the prestigious 'Hoofer Award' from
the American Tap Dance Foundation, Deborah is recognized by colleagues,
universities and educational institutions around the country for "preserving our American culture in her feet, in her mind and in her spirit."
In
recognition of her extraordinary artistic leadership and dedication to
tap, in 2007 Deborah received 2 more of tap's most prestigious awards -
the New York Committee to Celebrate National Tap Dance Day's 'Flo-Bert Award' for Lifetime Achievement and Oklahoma City's 'Living Treasure Award for Preserving An American Dance Form.'
In 2006, on National Tap Dance Day, Savion Glover presented Deborah her
with an award for giving endlessly to the spirit and legacy of tap
dancing and for her outstanding contribution for the art form.
Piccolo
Productions is honored and delighted to work with Deborah. Her talent, enthusiasm,
knowledge, experience and joy of tap is something to behold.
Deborah performing in the motion picture 'The Cotton Club' directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Known throughout the New York area as a distinguished tap professional, Deborah Mitchell is the protege of Leslie 'Bubba' Gaines and student of many tap master including the legendary Henry LeTang. Artistic Director and Founder of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble Deborah's many credits include, 'The Cotton Club', directed by Francis Ford Coppola; the Broadway and Paris productions of 'Black and Blue'; PBS Great Performances; partnership with Germaine Goodson as The Rhythm Queens and five world tours with the great Cab Calloway.
A master teacher and a motivational speaker on the art
form of tap dancing, she provides in-service training to teachers and
dance educators throughout the New York 'tri-state area'. Deborah is
chairperson for the Tap Department of Sharon Miller's Academy for the
Performing Arts in Montclair, New Jersey; serves on the advisory boad
of Tony Wagg's Tap City in New York City; is assistant director and
choreographer for the Theatre Workshop Peppermint Players and a board
member for Alliance for Arts Education in New Jersey.
