 |
Kristi Burris - Artistic Associate (Sapulpa, OK)
A charter member of the ensemble, Kristi is now in her 7th season. She is also the Education Coordinator for the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Health and Sport Sciences, Kristi became a performing member of Especially Tap Chicago and is currently in her 11th season under the direction of Julie Cartier. Most recently Kristi was a tap coach for the national tour of Billy Elliot: The Musical. In 2006, she was chosen to work with Lou Conte on his tribute piece to Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. In addition to performing, Kristi has taught at Lou Conte School of Dance and is currently teaching at The Tap Studio in Chicago. In July of 2008, Kristi founded Dance Profusion Project, a project designed to utilize professional dancers from Chicago to increase dance awareness and education throughout Oklahoma. Kristi can be seen in the PBS documentary “Dance in Chicago” highlighting Fayard Nicholas. |
 |
Martin Bronson (St. Louis, MO)
Martin is in his 2nd season with BAM!. He began studying dance at a young age under his sisters Tami Pursley and Emi Westerfield at their family studio. He left St. Louis to pursue a degree in architecture, but quickly came to realize the direction he wanted to take his life - he returned to his home city to teach and study Tap. There he had the opportunity to work with St. Louis based tap company Diva La Tap and also appear in Duets for my Valentine 2008 in Chicago and St. Louis. After moving to Chicago, Martin performed with Chicago Tap Theatre, directed by Mark Yonally, and was able to work with world renowned dancer and choreographer Brenda Bufalino. Martin also co-founded the Tap dance ensemble "On Tap Chicago" and as a soloist, has performed in Phoenix, St. Louis, Chicago, and New York City. |
 |
Heather Brown (St. Charles, MO)
In her 4th season with BAM!, Heather has had the opportunity to perform at the International Dance Festival in Beijing, China, and throughout Chicago and the Midwest in such venues as the Harris Theater and the Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park. As an individual artist, she has also performed at The Joyce Theatre in NYC with the NYC Tap Festival, and as a guest artist with local dance companies in different venues, including jazz clubs in St. Louis. While living in St. Louis, Heather taught tap classes and private lessons at several dance studios. Heather graduated from Webster University in St. Louis where she received her B.A. in Marketing and a minor in dance. |
 |
Zada Cheeks (Aurora, IL)
Currently in his 6th season with BAM!, Zada began his dance training at an early age and became a member of Especially Tap Chicago, and BAM!, before graduating from West Aurora High School. Since then, Zada has performed with companies such as: River North Chicago Dance Company, Chicago Dance Crash, Civic Ballet of Chicago, and Corpo Dance Company. He has toured nationally and internationally to Venezuela and China. |
 |
Andrew Tomlinson (Geneva, IL)
Andy is in his 4th season with BAM!. A former member of Especially Tap Chicago, Andy has been dancing for over 20 years. He has been lucky enough to perform with the likes of Gregory Hines, Dianne Walker, the Nicholas Brothers, Jimmy Slyde, Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates, and Savion Glover. He has studied under Lane Alexander, Dianne Walker, Bruce Stegman, Idella Reed, Wilfredo Rivera, Homer Bryant and Joel Hall. He has also been teaching tap, hip hop, ballet and jazz all over the Chicagoland area for over 15 years. |
|
