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Teacher Bio
Shelby Kaufman, a Michigan native, has been a beacon of innovation in New York City’s dance scene for 18 years, with her groundbreaking choreography featured in television, film, and theatre. She is presently on faculty at some of the world’s most prestigious dance studios, including Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and ShufflesNYC....Read more
Shelby Kaufman, a Michigan native, has been a beacon of innovation in New York City’s dance scene for 18 years, with her groundbreaking choreography featured in television, film, and theatre. She is presently on faculty at some of the world’s most prestigious dance studios, including Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and ShufflesNYC. Shelby’s expertise is sought after worldwide, leading her to tap festivals, conventions, and workshops across the globe, including at the distinguished Pineapple- London, while her social media has garnered over 70 million views.
Off-Broadway, Shelby assisted Gail Crutchfield on the choreography of 'Freckleface the Musical’ and served as the SDC observer to Emmy Award-winner Mandy Moore on 'Nobody Loves You' at Second Stage. She also acted as the tap coach for four-time Tony Award nominated actress Tovah Feldshuh for her starring role in Broadway’s ‘Funny Girl’ and later choreographed her one woman show, ‘Aging is Optional’.
Additionally, Shelby was a cherished protégé and assistant to the late tap legend Dr. Harold ‘Stumpy’ Cromer, and received a Changing Times Tap Initiative grant alongside Sarah Reich and Hillary-Marie Michael to preserve and share his most famed piece, Opus One, with the greater tap dance community.
Shelby has made television appearances on The Today Show, Sesame Street, and the Steve Harvey Show, and performed her own choreography in the feature film, A Bread Factory Part Two. She has been a member of renowned tap companies including Brenda Bufalino’s ‘New American Tap Dance Orchestra’ and Germaine Salsberg’s ‘Les Femmes’ and has captivated audiences at iconic venues like the Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, and Jacobs Pillow.
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Class Descriptions
Shelby's tap classes are based in technique, with a strong focus on rhythm and musicality. Classes include warm-ups, center floor exercises, progressions across the floor, and combinations varying greatly in style and genre of music. Shelby always provides individual attention and instruction to each dancer and and attempts to create a nonjudgmental and positive environment in every class.