Photo by: Brian Mengini

“The Hoofers not only can spark the floor, they take tap in unexpected directions.” (Lew Whittington, The Dance Journal)

THE LADY HOOFERS TAP ENSEMBLE produces original works of choreography while preserving the tradition of improvisation in American rhythm tap, bringing innovative percussive dance to diverse audiences.

​Founded in 2011, the Philadelphia-based, all-women ensemble is led by Kat Richter, Founder and Artistic Director, and Katie Budris, Managing Director. Through choreographic commissions, a bi-annual concert series including The Tapcracker and On Tap, free community performances, and arts education programming, the ensemble centers the work of women artists and contributes to the revitalization of Philadelphia’s rich tap history by challenging the public’s perception of percussive dance.

Photo by: Bicking Photography

In recognition of The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble’s contribution to the wider dance community, our work is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, Penn Treaty Special Services District Support, PECO, and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy. The Ensemble is a Company in Residence at Suzanne Roberts Theatre; past performance credits include the Kimmel Center, City Hall, the Painted Bride, the Wilma Theater, the Forrest Theatre, the Trocadero, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Grounds for Sculpture, and FDR Park. The ensemble also performs at private events and fundraisers and gives a number of free performances each year at community events and festivals including City Hall Presents, Performances in Public Spaces, West Park Arts Fest, Franklin Square, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Headhouse Farmers’ Market, and World Dance Day.

PHOTO BY: KATIE BUDRIS

Note: The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble operates under Fractured Atlas's fiscal sponsorship program. You can support our mission by making a secure, tax-deductible donation online through Fractured Atlas. ​

To continue the transmission of rhythm tap, The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble offers arts education workshops, residency programs, lecture demonstrations, and weekly Open Company Classes. Our Youth Ensemble, founded in 2013, offers opportunities for young dancers to train under our directors and choreographers and to perform in our annual holiday concert, The Tapcracker. The ensemble has hosted Master Classes taught by renowned guest artists including Caleb Teicher, Roxane Butterfly, Karen Callaway Williams, Danny Gardner, Michele Dunleavy, Dolores Sanchez, and Andrew Nemr.