urban tap squad company bios

click here to see pictures of the UTS Company members

JENNIFER BISHOP - Artistic Director
Jennifer has been tirelessly promoting, teaching and performing the art of tap dance for over 15 years. She is the Artistic Director of the urban tap squad, a resident tap instructor at HARBOUR DANCE CENTRE, and most recently co-founded THE WEST COAST TAP DANCE COLLECTIVE. Jennifer has had the unique pleasure of working both on and off stage in the entertainment world. As a choreographer her credits include: commercials for Ocean Spray & Chevron; musicals Little Shop of Horrors, You'll Get Used To It, Oklahoma and Little Women; TV Series Mysterious Ways, These Arms of Mine and Feature Film Better Than Chocolate. As a performer she has appeared in musicals "Singin In The Rain" & "West Side Story" at the Arts Club Theatre and "Guys & Dolls" & "The Music Man" at The Vancouver Playhouse. As a guest artist she has appeared at ENCORE - International Festival of Dance in Quebec, RELEASE YOURSELF - M.A.D.D. Rhyhtms Canada in Calgary, throughout North America with percussion ensemble RHYTHMATIX and been seen at home at The Harmony Arts Festival, The Vancouver Tap Festival, and The Chutzpah Festival. In 2004, she co-produced "TAP IS...." the inaugural Tap Day Celebration for The West Coast Tap Dance Collective and followed up successfully with "THE SPIRIT OF TAP" at the Surrey Arts Centre in 2005.

AMY BURNS
Amy has trained and performed Tap, Jazz Ballet, Modern Comtemporary and Lyrical Jazz from a very young age. She has a long list of award winning performances, accomplishments and choreography in Canada and the United States. For the past 10 years Amy ahs taught Tap to students of all ages throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Her passion for tap has led her train extensively throughout the U.S. over the past 15 years with numerous (too many to mention!) historical and world-renowned Tap masters accelerated and advanced/professional workshops and festivals. Amy has been a participant in The Vancouver International Tap Festival since its inception 4 years ago & returned once again with enthusiasm this summer. In 2002, she was among a select group of dancers chosen to perform the finale of "It's About Time, It's About Tap", choreographed by Van "The Man" Porter at the Playhouse Theatre. Amid her very hectic schedule as a teacher, Amy is thrilled to be able to continue to perform, having been an integral part of the urban tap squad, for over 2 years now as well as a founding member of The West Coast Tap Dance Collective.

SHELLEY STEWART HUNT
Shelley has been singing, dancing and acting in a wide range of stage, film and TV productions since childhood. Credits include: The Arts Club Stanley Theatre's production of My Fair Lady; "Rumpleteazer" in the national touring company of CATS; the overseas show tour Heartbeat Canada for United Nations Multinational Force Bases in Germany and the Middle East and most recently, Evita at The Arts Club Stanley Theatre. She had a featured role in the ABC-TV movie musical Bye Bye Birdie and appeared on the accompanying soundtrack. Currently Shelley performs with The Classic Carollers and lounge act The Smartinis. Shelley has extensive experience as a choreographer for stage and screen. Her most recent work includes the latest BARBIE movie, the stage production of Pal Joey at Studio 58 and Jesus Christ Superstar at The Centennial Theatre for Uncle Randy Productions. Shelly is a member of the Canadian Dance Teacher's Association (Tap) and has been teaching tap and musical theatre for Lower Mainland dance programs (competitive and recreational) for 14 years. She also works as an adjudicator, coaches individuals for festivals and auditions, and is a busy guest instructor both locally and internationally. Shelley is one of the original members of the urban tap squad and a founding member of The West Coast Tap Dance Collective.

MIYUKI ISHIZAKI
Miyuki has performed with Mariko Fujii Tap and studied with Mari Art Dance in Tokyo, Japan. She studied in New York intensively at Broadway Dance Centre, Steps and with Henry LeTang. While living in Victoria she taught adult tap and danced with The Broad Street Dance Company. She juggles her time between dancing and the business world where she has been sales manager for Recruit Corporation, Assistant Manager for an ESL school, worked with Toppan Moore and been manager of a spa. In 1997, she started Pan-Pacific Personnel Inc. and Earth Care North American Trading Corp in 2003. Miyuki is one of the original members of the urban tap squad, and a founding member of The West Coast Tap Dance Collective.

KERRY LACKNER
Kerry has been tapping since she was 6 years old. She has perfomed with various dance groups throughout Canada, and competitions and workshops have taken her from coast to coast in the US. She was an original Dance with France 'Lemonhead' girl for the Calgary Stampede, an opening and closing ceremony dancer for the Alberta Summer Games, and has twice performed in the opening number for The Vancouver International Tap Festival's "Masters of Tap" show in Vancouver. Kerry moved to Vancouver in 2000 to study at the Emily Carr Institute, and was excited to meet up with the urban tap squad so she could keep on tappin'. She now divides her time between tapping and animating - an interesting but happy combo! Kerry is a founding member of The West Coast Tap Dance Collective.

KERI MINTY
Keri has been tapping with the urban tap squad, for over four years, in which time she has danced amongst pylons, in a waterfall, in the rain and in numerous other memorable performances. Also recently seen tangling tap shoes and water in "Singin' In The Rain" at The Arts Club Stanley Theatre, Minty regularly enjoys singing while tap dancing, whether she's supposed to or not. Other recent theatre credits include Mrs. Potiphar in 'Joseph' (Uncle Randy Productions), Babe in 'Pajama Game' (Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society), and Babe Seccoli in 'Working' (Footlight Theatre) for which she received the 2003 CTC award for Best Actress in a Musical. For shock value, Keri also holds a BA in History from SFU. Minty also teaches tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre and would like to thank her students for reminding her why we all love to feel the burn - I sweat therefore I am......a dancer. Keri is an original member of the urban tap squad, and a founding member of The West Coast Tap Dance Collective.

LAURA BISHOP
Laura is the company's out-of-town member and also acts as Artistic Consultant for the urban tap squad,. Laura has been tapping since the age of five and is currently teaching Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre to students at The Dance Gallery in Kamloops, BC. She is an accomplished choreographer, having produced numerous award-winning pieces and travels to adjudicate competitions throughout Western Canada. Laura's favorite tap classes have been with Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino and Heather Cornell, but her biggest inspiration continues to be her sister, Jennifer.