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People
 Yukiko MisumiTap dancer, Tap percussionist, choreographer, teacher and Director of Artistic Rhythm Tap Network. Yukiko is also the ITA (International Tap Association) Japan Representative. She tap dances like a fairy, yet her sharp rhythm and percussive tone creates her own "Misumi World". She studied in NY under the great tap master -Henry Le Tang in the 1980's and he named her "smilie". In the late 1980's she studied rhythm tap under Brenda Bafalino. Later she studied with many great tap masters, including Dr.Jimmy Slyde and Dianne Walker. In Japan, she was a soloist of Jam Tap Dance Company (Kuniyasu Kato /Founder and artistic director) where she was a dance captain, choreographer and assistant to the stage director. In 1993, 1996, 2004 and 2006 she co-starred with Dr. Jimmy Slyde at the company's performance. In 1997 she left the company and started solo work. In 1999, she started "African Rhythm Tap Series", and has performed in popular venues like November Eleventh, a live-bistro owned by Ryudo Uzaki and Yoko Agi, Sweet basil139, American Club, Theater Apple and more. In 2000, she made her first appearance at NATIONAL TAP DAY in Japan. In 2001-2004 she participated in St. Louis Tap Festival as a representative from Japan. In the NY Tap Festival in 2003 and 2004, she performed Ms. Buffalino's work at Duke 42nd St. She has performed and taught in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Chicago, and Hawaii. "Smilie" operated Artistic Rhythm Tap Network through the dance studios of Chacott, and opened her own studio named ARTN Tap Dance Studio in central Tokyo in 2001. She hopes to spread tap in Japan and to promote an international cultural exchange through tap dancing. |