OFFICIAL MASTER TEACHERS FOR 2020 VIRTUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TAP SERIES
ERICA SUMMERLIN:
Erica Bava Summerlin has been involved in the dance industry for over 30 years. She has danced her way across the country from California to North Carolina and everywhere in between. During her years as an award winning competition dancer, she was also a competitive gymnast, high school cheerleader, actress and choreographer for her high school musicals. As a young teen she was selected as a member of the prestigious North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler. After high school graduation Erica went on to attended UNCC where she was a member of the 2001 NDA Division 1 National Champion dance team shown on ESPN.
Not only is Erica an accomplished dancer and performer, but for the past 15 years she has become a well known and highly accomplished teacher and choreographer. Her students have won many awards on both regional and national levels and her creative and energetic choreography is consistently recognized with special awards and accolades from well respected professionals in the industry.
In addition to being the Director of Competitive Dance at ExtravaDance & Tumble, she also directs the TUTU Express Daycare Dance Program which allows her the opportunity to share her upbeat personality and extensive training with very young dancers. Even though Erica stays very busy with her commitments at ED&T, she keeps herself involved in other activities that she feels are beneficial to her students. She travels the U.S. judging for national dance competitions. She teaches and choreographs for other well known studios. Throughout the year she travels to New York and California to take classes and stay up to date on the latest trends in dance. She is also the head coach of a high school dance team.
Erica loves sharing her talents with children of all ages. Her main goal is to set a positive example for all her students and encourage them to be the best they can be!
JAMES TUNSTEAD (AUSTRALIA):
My name is James Tunstead, I’m originally from Perth, Western Australia, but now live in Sydney. I’ve been tap dancing since I was 8 years old and through that time I have changed lots as a dancer. I started at a very old school studio, which developed a very strong technique, and after 6 years changed to a studio that had more of a street tap style. This change set in motion my style of tap which is heavily inspired by the ‘Tap Dogs’. In 2016 I was lucky enough to win a trip through the company ‘Get the Beat’ to come over to the states and compete at the KAR nationals in Las Vegas. I have recently finished 2 years of full-time dance training at ‘Dance Force’ in Tweed Heads, NSW, and have made the move to Sydney, NSW, to try and make a career through dance. I’m super passionate about tap dancing and nothing makes me more excited than an awesome rhythm that’s executed perfectly. Super excited to meet and work with you guys!
MARK ORSBORN (USA):
Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Washington, DC. Mark grew up training as a member of the pre-professional tap company “Tappers With Attitude” and is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP). Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit Magazine, and numerous film festivals across North America for his work. The JaM Project was a finalist at the 2016 Capezio ACE Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. The JaM Project was also featured in Season 2 of World of Dance on NBC. Mark is the founder and director of The JaM Youth Project, which has attracted young tap dancers from all over the United States and received support from multiple news outlets as well as national recording artists, The Doobie Brothers. The company’s dance film projects with Dancinema have screened at several different film festivals and featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark was recognized by the Young Choreographer’s Festival in 2015 and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in NYC. Most recently, he was a contributing choreographer for YouTube’s Brandcast at Radio City Music Hall. Mark has been on faculty for numerous festivals and conventions including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, and Rhythm in Fusion Festival (RIFF).
TIFFANY SCHLATER (USA):
Tiffany Fairchild-Schlater has had extensive training in all genres of dance. She won many Competitive Titles, was nominated as a Who’s Who of American High School Students and at the age of 17 received a full scholarship to the prestigious Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, Illinois. She has performed at the Capital Building in Washington D.C., the Chicago Theater, in the promotional tour for the movie “TAP”, various industrials, charity events and on television. Tiffany has performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Savion Glover, Star Dixon, the late Gregory Hines and was an original member of the “ETC” Tap Company in Chicago. While teaching and choreographing across the country, she has captured many top awards including the titles Teacher Of The Year and Elite Top Choreographer Of The Year on a National Level. Her choreography has been featured in the New York City, Tap Extravaganza and in the final top 5 at the Industry Dance Awards in Las Vegas and Hollywood, CA. She has been recognized by the Stanford Who’s Who Of America as an artist, the Ohio House of Representatives and is a member of the International Tap Association. Currently, Tiffany proudly serves as an Ambassador for the Tap Legacy Foundation NYC, International Adjudicator, Convention/Tap Festival teacher and is the Elite Company Director at JDSD in Columbus, OH. Her students can be found on television, Broadway, movies and professional dance companies. Tiffany continues to travel the country and is committed to sharing her love of dance through mentoring, educating, teaching proper technique and most importantly, to defy gravity and live your dream every day.
MICHELLE MINER (USA):
Originally from San Diego, Ca., Michelle grew up training extensively in ballet, tap and jazz. As an adult, Michelle was drawn into the tap world and has been an accomplished tap choreographer for over 18 years. Michelle has trained with such tap masters as Brenda Buffalino, Mike Minery, Sam Weber and the late Gregory Hines. Her choreography is sought after all over the country and her students can be seen dancing for Fox, Disney, ESPN and in “Dance Teacher” and “Dance Spirit” magazine. She has also trained the 2006 World Dance Champion, who became the youngest ever intern for the NYC Rockettes and her students have danced for such artists as Rihanna and Britney Spears. You can see her choreography on Fox and numerous music videos. Michelle is proud to have won the Industry Dance Award for “Best Tap Dance” two years in a row!
