NJTAP

The dancers of the First Company, primarily NJ artists, are extraordinary, dynamic adult tap dancers who love the art form, study its history and its pioneers. They have extensive training in the art form, continue their training and give recognition to the contributions of current, unknown and celebrated tap dancers. All of them teach tap classes throughout the state passing on the art form to the next generation.

The company has become known for artistic excellence in performance, development of tap artists, developing new tap projects and programs.  Partnerships with arts partners such as NJ Ballet and Alborada Spanish Dance Theater demonstrates the organizations wide appeal and commitment to broaden its audience.  The dancers are today’s ambassadors for the art form and leaders in the field nationally and internationally.

Auditions by Appointment - must be 18 and older

THE COMPANY

featured artists

karen 

callaway williams

maurice 

chestnut

the ensemble

* indicates dance captain

NICKI DENNER, NJTAP Music

Director was the assistant to J.

Leonard Oxley for 12 years. She

has been a part of the New York

Latin and jazz music scene since

1999. Her credits are numerous

including Sheila E., Savion Glover,
Candido, Doc Severensen, the

Apollo Theater, The Kennedy

Center, Lincoln Center's
“Meet the Artist”  program,

Chicago City Limits and

"Broadway Underground". She

has also composed for

award-winning film and was

commissioned by the New Jersey

Tap Ensemble in 2004 to

compose music for a piece

choreographed by Savion Glover. She is also the Musical Director of Cocomama, a nine-piece all-female salsa band which has performed at the United Nations, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Central Park. Mr. Oxley considered her one of the industry’s finest musicians and a perfect fit for New Jersey Tap Ensemble. 

nicki

denner