Derick K. Grant A native of Boston, has been tapping for

28 years. He was an original company member and

Dance Captain for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk at

both The Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York

Shakespeare Festival, and on Broadway. Derick recreated

Savion Glover's choreography and starred in the role of

'da beat for the first National Tour.

Derick began his training at the age of two at The

Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts, and by the time

he was eight years old, he has learned the "hoofin" style

of tap from the master tap dancer Diane Walker. Derick

furthered his training in Los Angeles at Universal Dance

Design Studio under the tutelage of Paul Kennedy. Derick

spent three years with the Jazz Tap Ensemble touring the

world.

He is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award for

Upcoming Young Artists as well as The Helen Hayes

Award (Washington D.C.) for Outstanding Featured Actor

for his role in Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk.

Derick was featured at The Kennedy Center for the

Performing Arts African Odyssey program, part of the

Expresiones Latinas Festival. He collaborated on a piece

that incorporated tap and capoeira with renowned

Brazilian artist Nego Gato, which opened the festivities

for singer Daniella Mercury. He also choreographed and

performed in a piece on the history of tap that launched

the Black History Month 2001 celebration at Aaron Davis

Hall.

Recent compositions were featured in The Queens

Symphony Opera's Duke Ellington Concert in Ann Arbor's

Arts Festival. Most recently Derick's own creation A Night

Out: Tap! toured the country for three months. Of his

latest choreography and performance with Jazz Tap

Ensemble at the Joyce Theater in NYC the New York

Times said "Mr. Grant let gusts of rhythm propel him with

remarkable velocity!"

Link: Derick Grant

Photo: Lois Greenfield