Since joining The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble in 2015, Tamera Dallam has grown from one of the company’s standout improvisers into its Artistic Director. Now leading the Philadelphia-based ensemble, which highlights women in tap through performance, education, and community outreach, Dallam is helping to guide The Lady Hoofers’ next chapter while staying rooted in the traditions that define both the art form and the company.
This May, the ensemble returns to the stage at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with a program that blends their legacy with new energy, including a world premiere by Dre Torres, an international tap artist, educator, and choreographer whose work includes Broadway’s 'Funny Girl' and collaborations across New York’s tap scene.
The limited engagement takes place on May 9 and will also feature works by former company member Becky Mastin and Outreach Teaching Artist Gregory Williams, along with original choreography from past guest artists, including Lisa LaTouche and Caleb Teicher.
Dallam recently sat down with Metro to share more insight into the creative process behind this season’s work, the power of improvisation, and the multigenerational community at the heart of The Lady Hoofers.
I was drawn to Dre Torres’ work because of her unique ability to blend musicality, storytelling, and rhythm in such a dynamic way. There’s a strong sense of intention behind everything she creates, and it really stands out.
What excites me most about the piece she created for us is how it challenges the dancers both technically and artistically. It pushes each individual dancer to not only execute the steps but to truly connect with the rhythm and bring their own expression into the performance.
The music plays a huge role in shaping the energy and style of 'The Journey'. The rich Afro-Cuban rhythms bring a powerful, driving energy that naturally pushes the movement to feel more grounded, percussive, and expressive. Dre titled this piece 'The Journey' because of the way the song evolves through multiple rhythmic changes as it progresses, and the dancers and choreography evolve along with it. Overall, the music gives the performance a vibrant, soulful quality that makes it feel alive.
The mix of experience levels within The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble creates a really special and supportive community. Having professional, pre-professional, and youth dancers sharing the same stage naturally builds a sense of mentorship, where younger and less experienced dancers can learn not just technique, but also professionalism, confidence, and artistry by observing those with more experience.
At the same time, it keeps the environment inspiring and energizing for everyone. The younger dancers bring fresh enthusiasm and curiosity, while the more experienced dancers help set the standard and push the overall level of the group higher. It creates a space where growth feels collaborative rather than competitive, and where everyone feels like they are contributing to something bigger.
Having The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble is incredibly important because we are intentionally creating space for women’s voices in an art form where they haven’t always been equally represented. Tap has historically been a male dominated artform. By centering women choreographers and performers, the company helps ensure that their perspectives, creativity, and leadership are seen, valued, and preserved within the tap community. We’re also committed to paying our professional dancers, and all choreographers and teaching artists who work with the ensemble because we know their expertise, time, and artistry are valuable.
The Lady Hoofers also provides opportunities that might not otherwise be as accessible, allowing women at different stages of their lives and careers to develop their artistry and gain visibility. Professional choreography and performance opportunities in tap can be challenging to find. This kind of representation not only strengthens the local arts scene, but also inspires the next generation of dancers to see what’s possible for themselves.
As Artistic Director, continuing the legacy of improvisation in American rhythm tap is central to my vision. We prioritize improvisation in every mainstage production as well as in our pop-up performances, ensuring that it remains a living, breathing part of what we do.
We also regularly collaborate with live jazz musicians, which helps cultivate meaningful relationships between dancers and musicians while deepening our connection to the music. Over the past year, we have performed improv with live music multiple times at Spruce Street Harbor Park and as part of the Passyunk Ave. Jazz Crawl hosted by Rittenhop.
Our 15th Anniversary Party in June will include an open tap jam with a live jazz quartet, and we bring them in for our Summer Tap Intensive every year as well. Working with live musicians not only strengthens our improvisational skills, but also keeps the work spontaneous, responsive, and rooted in the traditions of rhythm tap.
By consistently creating these opportunities, we’re able to honor the history of improvisation while actively pushing it forward, allowing each dancer to develop their own voice within the art form.
Yes, there are so many meaningful moments, it’s hard to choose just a few! Performing in our 2017 premiere of 'The Tapcracker' with The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble was incredibly special and a major milestone for the company, as the production has become an annual holiday tradition in Philadelphia. Another highlight has been teaching as part of our outreach program, working with 4th and 5th grade students at Moffett Elementary. Seeing their smiles and excitement as they learn the art form is truly unforgettable. It’s even more meaningful to then watch some of those same students grow and eventually perform in 'The Tapcracker' alongside our youth ensemble.
On a personal level, getting to share the stage with both of my sisters has been such a special and full-circle experience. Rickia Dallam performed as our original Tapcracker and is now an Associate Dancer. Taylor Adams is in the Youth Ensemble. Both will perform in this year’s Spring Concert Series.
Celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary was a huge moment, and now it’s so exciting to be wrapping up our 15th season with this concert and our 15th Anniversary Party in June at FringeArts. Each of these experiences has played a part in shaping my journey with the company, and they’ve made the past decade incredibly meaningful.
The Lady Hoofers Spring Concert Series will take place on Saturday, May 9, at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit pennlivearts.org.
