Anthony J Russo
FOREMAN
At 15 years old, Anthony went to an 18+ Equity audition for “Anything Goes” at The Muny in St Louis, MO and booked the gig. That experience absolutely sets the tone for the years to follow. He once crashed an agent-only audition for Cirque Du Soleil with a smiley face drawn on paper as a headshot and booked the gig. It was this sheer will to perform that also landed him his first touring contract in 2001.
Russo left high school just before the start of his senior year and joined the 6th National Tour of Tap Dogs. In addition to his performance credits, Anthony produces tap dance education programs throughout North America under his touring company, @TapTheMap, and an annual event in St Louis, MO, @ShowMeTapFest.
In 2013, Russo was awarded Outstanding Young Missourian by The Missouri Junior Chamber Of Commerce for his contributions to dance education nationwide. His touring company, “Tap The Map”, received an acknowledgement from The Missouri House Of Representatives for facilitating over $75,000 in scholarships to students around the US and Canada. 17 years later, I’m proud to be a part of this cast and perform in the show that solidified my decision to tap dance professionally in the first place.
Nathaniel Hancock
2ic
Nathaniel is thrilled to re-join the touring cast of Tap Dogs where he has performed in Europe, Asia, Bahrain, UAE, Australia and South Africa over the past 7 years. He is a founding member of Street Feet Entertainment and The Australian Tap Company and is an integral part of The Tap Tour. Nathaniel appeared in the animated film Happy Feet 2 as a featured tap dancer.
He has also performed with Beat the Streets, Street Feet Entertainment and The Next Step alongside some of Australia’s best commercial dancers and tap dancers alike. His most recent performances with the Tap Dogs in Australia were: The Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve party at the Sydney Opera House, The NRL Dally M Awards and the Virgin Blue 10th Anniversary Celebration. Nathaniel has been teaching and adjudicating tap dance both nationally and internationally for the past 11 years and shows that he has a great passion for sharing his love and knowledge of tap dance. He has been a member of the faculty at the past two Australian Tap Festival’s and The Sydney Tap Festival in 2017 and has just finished teaching the advanced residency at the Sydney Tap Festival in April this year.
His love of rhythm and unique, intricate time signatures really places him at the forefront of modern tap dance in Australia. These skills along with trick steps, fast feet and musicality driven choreography shows that Nathaniel and his tap dance peers are well and truly keeping tap alive in Australia.
Richie Miller
ENFORCER
Richie Miller was born in Titusville, FL and moved to St. Charles, MO at the age of 6. On a bribe, Richie began his training at Performing Arts Centre with Debbie & Tracy Davenport & Anthony Russo where he became a tap sensation! Upon graduation, he immediately was hired by Tap Dogs and has toured with them since 2009, dancing the roles of The Kid, Funky and Enforcer. Tap Dogs tours took Richie all over the USA, Mexico, London’s West End (with Coyote Ugly’s Adam Garcia), Italy, France, Bahrain, Asia, Dubai, Germany, Macau and to Australia many times!
He Now is residing in and currently working in Australia. Since Riche has been in Australia. He has appeared on Naomi Campbells “The Face”. Performed with The Next Step. Was Featured in Common Wealth Banks Tap & Pay TVC. TVCs for Holden and Commonwealth Bank. Featured in Aussie Apples TVc. Creator of The Tap Tour. Founder of Dreaded Cheetah. Richie is still currently with Tap Dogs, Performed at the 2015 NYE Lord Mayors Ball.
He also is residing in Sydney, Australia working as a master teacher, guest choreographer and Videographer, sharing his passion for the rhythm to students of all ages.
Chaise Rossiello
FUNKY
Chaise started dancing and singing at the age of 5 in his hometown of Geelong, by age 10 he graced the stage performing in a variety of local productions. Chaise has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge through performing Australia wide and internationally. He has performed both alongside and under some well-known artists including Jamelia, Barry Humphries, Delta Goodrem, Black eyed peas and Jessica Mauboy just to name a few. Chaise joined Internationally acclaimed show TAP DOGS in ‘2007’ and has toured consistently for over Ten Years, Touring throughout the UK, the Mediterranean, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Chaise’s love of performing extends past the stage, and into Production, Direction and Choreography producing original shows and acts always pushing the envelope and taking pride innovating rather than replicating! During his time home he loves to get involved in local Theatre, performing in many local shows, Playing Don Lockwood in singing in the Rain, Billy Lawlor (42nd Street) Mike Costa (A Chorus Line) and apart the ensemble of many other musicals. Chaises experiences have driven him to pass on his knowledge as a dance teacher, passing on his ability of dance and the arts, teaching master classes nationally but more recently starting his own Performing Arts School, (Dance Move Create) in Lara Geelong. Chaise wants to encourage all aspiring performers to Dance Hard, Sing Loud and Dream Big!
Justin Myles
RAT
A native of Maryland/DC and spent his childhood surrounded by music, dance and most importantly rhythm has been dancing & drumming since the age of 3. A graduate of Point Park University with a double major in Ballet & Jazz. Justin is a professional dance instructor in Tap dance, Contemporary/Modern, and Body Percussion currently teaching the dance festival network included DCTap festival, Jersey Tap Festival, Monterrey Tap Festival, RIFF Tap festival, Ambition, DMA and more! Was a company member of the Pittsburgh Playhouse Dance Company, performed for Paramount, Busch Gardens, and Disney Cruise Lines as the main stage singer, dancer, and dance captain.
Toured North & South America with off-broadway show STOMP for 7 years as the lead. Recently toured Germany, China, and Poland with Australian based show TAP DOGS which is the longest running Tap dance show in the world. Justin has worked as an assistant choreographer for Disney Cruise Lines, choreographed the Tap portion of “Celtic Fyre” at Busch Gardens, and was the associate choreographer for “Night Of Stars” hosted by Michael Feinstein. Co-founder/Director of The JaM Project and The JaM Youth Project in Washington, DC. Both companies have won numerous Film and Choreography awards across the nation including the Capezio ACE Awards.
The JaM Project just recently performed their brand new show “Good Times, Bad Times” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and which debuted at Dancerpalooza. His choreography and performances have been raved by Dance Spirit Magazine, and The Washington Post, and AOPA magazine numerous times. Justin also writes and produces his own music which can found on Spotify and iTunes.
Reid Perry
KID
Reid began his dance training at Tap Pups under Dein Perry as a young child. His early years were filled with performance opportunities including the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Party at the Sydney Opera House, The Footy Show, Luna Park re-opening and the World Masters Games Opening Ceremony.
Reid was delighted to make his Tap Dogs debut in 2016 and since then he has continued to perform with them at corporate events across Australia. Reid is currently studying an Advanced Diploma at ED5 International where he has been fortunate enough to play roles including Zach from ‘A Chorus Line’ as well as perform alongside celebrities such as Marcia Hines. Reid is thrilled to be joining the Tap Dogs once more for his first world tour.
Sam Marks
ROVER
Sam trained at the Conroy Dance Centre in Brisbane. His career began as a child when he was cast in Singin’ In the Rain, Les Misèrables and The Wizard of Oz. Other musical theatre credits include CATS, Wicked, South Pacific, King Kong Live on Stage, Dirty Dancing, Singin’ in the Rain, Hello Dolly! and Brigadoon.
Sam is also a member of The Tap Pack, touring and performing on cruise ships since 2015. He has also worked extensively in the commercial dance industry in Australia. Television appearances include Sunrise, The ARIA’s, 3 seasons of The X Factor and various TV commercials. Sam joined Tap Dogs in 2010, which has taken him to London, France, Italy, Bahrain, Dubai, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, he is thrilled to be rejoining for this world tour.
Nathan Beech
SPOT
Nathan is originally from Northern Virginia. He started tap dancing at the age of five. He cultivated his passion for dance, training at multiple studios including Studio Blue Dance Center and Degrasse Dance Studio. At 15 he booked his first dance tour with Brother’s of the Knight, directed by Debbie Allen. He has toured internationally with Tap Dogs in 2015.
As a member of the professional company The Jam Project 2016-17, he has toured across the country at the Capezio ACE Awards, Brake the Floor Production’s 25 Live, and Good Times, Bad times at The Kennedy Center. The group was also selected to perform in World of Dance 2018. Nathan performed a lead role with Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens 2017 and 2018.
Previous accolades include selection by The National Young Art Foundation as a 2015 Young Arts Finalist awarding him the Silver Award in Dance/Tap and also recognized him for his Exceptional Artistic Achievement in 2014. He also teaches and choreographs in multiple studios.
Noriko Terada
MUSICIAN
Noriko Terada, multi-percussionist and drummer, is internationally known for her percussion recordings with the hugely popular video game series, Final Fantasy 13-3 Lightning Returns, as well as God Eater Rage Burst, live performance DVD, and D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die live performance original sounds track. As a successful multi-percussionist, Noriko has performed at numerous well-known venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall, Blue Note NY, Montreal Jazz Festival, Boston Symphony Hall, TED conference.
She is also recognized as a major record label artist by JVC Victor Entertainment in Japan. Born and raised in Kashima, Japan Noriko began playing the piano at the age of 3. At the age of 12, she found percussion/drums and quickly fell in love, which would go on to change her life. At the age of 7, Noriko also began training in classical ballet, which would span over the next 13 years. During this time, Noriko came to understand a connection between music and dance as a composite art that thereby influenced her music.
After graduating high school, Noriko commenced training at the Tokyo College of Music, recognized as one of best music conservatories in Japan. In 2007, Noriko received a scholarship from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and moved to Boston. After graduating at Berklee, Noriko has shown a great deal of versatility in musical styles including Musical Theatre, World music, Afro-Brazilian music, Pop, R&B, Rock, Jazz and classical. Noriko has performed with many well-known artists including Alan Silvestri (composer of the film Back to the Future), Don Was (Producer of Rolling Stones), Angelique Kidjo (Grammy award singer), Nobuo Uematsu (composer for Final Fantasy), Kenwood Dinnard.
Noriko also worked as an accompanist for modern dancers at Boston Ballet School, Boston Conservatory and Walnut Hill art school. She is currently a percussionist for the group’s Women of the World and Video Game orchestra.
Catarina Percinio
Musician
Catarina’s musical career started at the age of 8, It all began in a marching band in her hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. Her musical journey is as diverse as the number of instruments that she plays, including the marimba, xylophone and timpani, as well as the symphonic instruments such as the tambourine, cymbals and bass drum, and also many ethnic and rhythmic instruments.
Catarina, studied orchestral percussion at Universidade Livre de Música one of São Paulo’s finest conservatorium of music, she received a scholarship in percussion at São Paulo State University (UNESP) and during this time, she played in concerts with the group PIAP and toured internationally, visiting USA, Canada, Portugal and China. Later, she obtained her master’s degree in musical performance at the Federal University of Goiás where she debuted her repertoire of solo percussion composed specifically for her.
She loves to work collaboratively with other artistic languages, and has played in art galleries, with dancers choreographed by Ulisses Cruz and in 2013 she toured with Tap Dogs at Jupiter’s Casino, Gold Coast, Australia & South Africa.
She has played in numerous professional orchestras, including the renowned Duo Labeque and performed with conductors such as Frank Shipway, John Neshling and Neil Thomson.
When not on tour Catarina teaches music in Goiás, in Brazil’s central west region, and plays with the local
Philharmonic Orchestra.