General Info:
Kathleen Cirioli has been the director of the Kathleen Academy of Dance, a central NJ dance studio since 1971. She received her formal training at the Boston Conservatory of Music, and continues to study with Master Teachers throughout the US. She is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of Youth Tap Company, "Kids On Tap", who have performed in many venues, in the NY/NJ area, including Swing '46, the Joyce Theatre, and the Duke Theatre in Tap City 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. They have appeared at the Brook Arts Center Show, Mirror of the Masters I and II , for National Tap Dance Day, with T.A.P., in PA, and at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, A Tribute to Gregory Hines in in Washington DC, and most recently, Memories , a Tribute to Pascalle Stahel, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Other performances have been at the takoma Theatre in in Washington DC, the Brook Arts Center Gala , ' Dance for the Brook , Open Mic Night as guests of Tappers With Attitude in in Washington DC, Symphony Space, NY, with Traditions in Tap Dancer's Showcase. Ms. Cirioli was also the recipient of the Outstanding Tap Teacher Award presented by the NY Tap Festival in 2004. As a choreographer and teacher, Ms. Cirioli's mission is to promote and preserve the art of tap dancing by training the young dancers in both the current and historical styles of rhythm tap. She is a guest teacher for many studios and organizations, and on the teaching faculty of NADAA. She has been on the dance faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pa She is a guest teacher for various Workshops and Dance Organizations, and an adjudicator for many National Competitions. Ms. Cirioli is a former member of Tap Company, T.A.P. Company, and is the founder and director of the performance troupes Show Biz Kids and Kids On Tap . She is currently a member of Tap Company Tap Ties . Ms. Cirioli is the New Jersey Representative for the International Tap Association, a past Member of The New York Committee to Celebrate National Tap Dance Day, Advisory Board Member of the Jazz Tap Center's Traditions in Tap, and owner of Just TAP!, a web-based business serving the international tap community. As an advocate for breast cancer awareness, she has appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show performing an original tap routine in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She is the founder of Dance For The Cure, a non profit organization dedicated to the prevention and cure of breast cancer through the celebration of dance. Former students have appeared on Broadway, television, regional theatres, Garden State Arts Center, professional dance companies, cruise ships, cabarets, and international showcases around the world. Many of her students have pursued performing careers appearing in Broadway and National Tours including Footloose, A Chorus Line, Cats, Contact, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Beauty and The Beast, David Copperfield World Tour, 42nd Street, Contact, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, and Saturday Night Fever. Among other distinctions, Ms. Cirioli was the charter chairperson for the American Heart Association "Dance For Heart, " and was a Dance Captain for the International Macy's Tap Event since it began in the 1970's.