2004 Tap Off and Scholarship Winners

(This year's scholarship auditions were held February 28-29, 2004)

For the last nine years, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project has offered tuition scholarships to deserving Chicago area youth. Last year, we expanded the program to accept deserving students from Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. By deserving, we mean young people who have demonstrated an interest in tap and who have achieved an intermediate to advanced skill level (or who are deemed to have this potential). A small portion of our scholarships is awarded solely on the basis of merit, but the majority is based on a combination of merit and financial need.

This year, the program has awarded 30 tuition waivers totaling $10,550.00 to talented, deserving teens. We are investing in the next generation. Our scholarship program is designed to ignite the imaginations of our young dancers by allowing them to work intensively with the greatest tap artists in the world. We congratulate our 10th Annual Scholarship Program winners and look forward to the 11th National Scholarship auditions in 2005.

Scholarship Awards:

Scholarship Awards are divided into three groups:

Group I: 4 courses - $360; 6 master classes - $165; 2 tickets to any regular CHRP 2004 Performance - $50; Total Scholarship Value - $575
Group I Winners: Michelle Broecker, Aleutian Calabay, Lee Howard, Sean Kaminski, Chadae Mcalister, Tabitha Negrete, Michelle Rubio, Nico Rubio, Kenneth Russell, Sonia Russell

Group II: 2 courses - $200; 3 master classes - $90; 1 ticket to any regular CHRP 2003 Performance - $25; Total Scholarship Value - $315
Group II Winners: Brett Bibel, Molly Hendershott, Rachel Hendershott, Adam Hess, Victoria Jones, Jacob Lucas, Kelsie Markfort, Kaylah Marie Mathis, Jenna Roe, Ethan Sherry

Group III: 1 course - $105; 2 master classes - $60; Total Scholarship Value - $165
Group III Winners: Christian DeMarais, Rahimah Gaither, Halie Gordon, Alexis Hill, Andre Jungermann, Shannon Kaminski, Angelica Leigh, Naomi Palacios, Lorena Sanchez, Maria Zieglar

The Human Rhythm Project builds bridges between the generations by bringing our youth and elders together, thus assuring the continuity of tap dance through its oral tradition.

History of the Scholarship Program

Our first scholarships were given in the name of Project co-founder Kelly Michaels. His dedication to education, performance and his generosity of spirit continue sustain the PROJECT. In 1996 our scholarships were given in memory of Chicago great Sammy Dyer, whose School of Theatre and Dance has operated continuously since 1934, making it one of the oldest institutions of dance in America. His students include Broadway star Ted Levy as well as Rhythm I.S.S. founder, Idella Reed and Steppin' Out founders, Bril Barrett and Donnell Russell. In 1997 our scholarships were given to honor Mr. Tommy Sutton, another Chicago legend whose daughter Peggy Sutton continues to administrate and teach at the Mayfair Academy here in Chicago. Mr. Sutton's career spanned seven decades and his influence can be felt around the globe. In 1998 our scholarships were awarded to honor the legacy of Lloyd Storey. A native mid-westerner whose career spanned over 60 years, Mr. Storey performed for over 40 years as a founder and member of the Sultans, a lifelong commitment to education and the final European tour of Black and Blue. In 2000 our scholarships were dedicated to American tap Pioneer Paul Draper.