Below you will find information on:
PRESS, PERFORMANCE HISTORY, BIO, VIDEOS, HI-RES PHOTOS, and EDUCATION.
MICHELA MARINO LERMAN’S LOVE MOVEMENT
Love Movement is not your ordinary band. This ensemble, led by tap dancer Michela Marino Lerman, is a hybrid of the highest levels of musicianship and hoofing. This group incorporates original music, spirituals, jazz, traditional and electronic tap boards, which will surely challenge your thoughts, uplift, and send you dancing all the way home. Love Movement reflects a journey through the levels of love we experience throughout life starting with familial love, self-love and realization, protest, prayer, spiritual love, and finally romantic love. Love Movement is an immersive musical experience that will leave the audience feeling moved and empowered.
Michela Marino Lerman - Tap
Vuyo Sotashe of Shenel Johns- Vocals
Mathis Picard- Piano
Gabe Schnider- Guitar
Russell Hall- Bass
Savannah Harris- Drums
Patrick Bartley- Alto Sax
Press
"Improvisation, terrifying to many dancers, is the brier patch where Ms. Lerman thrives." - The New York Times
"A hurricane of rhythm so tightly syncopated it caused many jaws to drop." - The Huffington Post
"This girl does NOT play!!... She sure held it down!!" -Quincy Jones
"It’s a tap-dancing revelation, up close and personal, with Michela Marino Lerman in her orange boots." - The Times, London
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
The Kennedy Center • Jazz at Lincoln Center • The Public Theater • Jazz in Marciac Festival • Caramoor Jazz Festival • The Shanghai International Tap Dance Festival • The Other Palace • Turin Tap Festival•Brooklyn Bowl • Tap Oslo•Stockholm Tap Festival • Ginny's Supper Club
Videos
Personal BIOGRAPHY
Michela Marino Lerman is a globally sought after tap dance artist, performer, choreographer, educator and all-around creative spirit. The Huffington Post has called her a “hurricane of rhythm” and the NY Times has called her both a “prodigy” and has described her dancing as “flashes of brilliance”. She is very proudly a student of Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, Leroy Myers and Marion Coles. Lerman has performed, choreographed, produced, and directed many projects throughout her career but she is most proud of the shows she has led as a bandleader at many of New York’s great jazz venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smalls, Ginny’s Supper Club, and many more. Michela is a member of the band Michael Mwenso and the Shakes and can be seen performing and touring with them regularly. She also has had the esteemed honor of performing with many musical masters such as Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Roy Hargrove, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Benny Golson, Barry Harris, Marcus Roberts and many, many more.
Education
Michela Marino Lerman is a world-renowned tap dance instructor and educator. Michela began her professional teaching career as a teenager, starting with her first master class at 15 years old. From that point on she has taught in over 15 countries, over 30 different tap and dance festivals, multiple universities including Yale, Tulane, Kean, and Hampshire, and numerous workshops and intensives throughout the world. She has been part of the Jazz For Young People educational series run by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Michela is also Associate Producer of the new tap dance documentary “American Tap,” described by the Hollywood Reporter as “providing a comprehensive cultural history of the dance form.” It encompasses the rich history of tap dancing in America and its relationship to jazz music and the socio-political climate of the country. Education and sharing the gifts and rich history of tap dance, which was so generously passed on to her from the masters, is a deep passion for Michela.
Michela can offer a number of educational services for all ages and skill levels. Michela has taught children as young as 3 years old, done introductory courses for absolute beginners of all ages, taught private lessons and worked with advanced professionals. We are happy to create an educational program that works specifically to your needs.
Some options are:
Introductory Courses
These are perfect for an individual who has never tap danced before or has not danced for several years. This could be structured for any age.
Dance Courses
These are great for a dance school or university looking to have a workshop or intensive. They could span anywhere from one class to an entire weekend of technique and/or repertory. All levels are welcome from absolute beginner- advanced professional. These can also be structured to the needs of the students weather its technique or improvisation (my personal favorite ☺)
Film Showing + Lecture/Demo
This option is for the venue that is looking for mostly a historical event. We can do a screening of the “American Tap” documentary followed by a discussion, Q & A, and a small performance.
CONTACT
micmarinonyc@gmail.com