Michela Marino Lerman, recipient of the Hoofer Award and Flo-Bert Award, is a world-renowned tap dance artist, performer, choreographer, band leader, educator and all-around creative spirit dedicated to the bridging the gap between tap dance and jazz music and the inclusivity of tap being recognized as music. The Huffington Post has called her a “hurricane of rhythm” and the NY Times has called her both a “prodigy” and has described her dancing as “flashes of brilliance.” Quincy Jones has said she is an “absolute tap dancing star who knows her roots.” She very proudly, was mentored by some of the innovators of tap dance including Gregory Hines, Buster Brown, Leroy Myers, Peg Leg Bates, Marion Coles, Jeni LeGon and Mable Lee. Most recently Michela can be seen featured in the new US Postage Stamp series dedicated to the art form of Tap Dance.  Michela has had the honor of working with and collaborating many master artists throughout her career some of whom include Wynton Marsalis, Anna Deavere Smith, Roy Hargrove, Jon Batiste, Quincy Jones, Steve McQueen and many more. www.michelataps.com @michelataps