Performance Company (Ages 7-17 year olds)

A native of Washington, DC- Mary Manzari has been studying dance for more than 25 years. Her early years were spent at Fran’s Studio of Dance and Spotlight Studio of Dance before

furthering her education at VCU in the Dance and Choreography program. Mary has guested with Tony Award-nominated dance legend, Maurice Hines in his variety style show “Tappin’ Thru Life” with the all women DIVA Jazz Orchestra and with Dorrance Dance in their “SoundSpace”/”A Swing Suite” show. She has been a featured performer for numerous festivals and events including; Banyan Trees of America: Tap Meets Bomba, Capital City

Kwanzaa festival, RPAA “Lights Up!”, Dorey Park's Juneteenth celebration, and more.

Mary is also the founder of Richmond Tap Connection, an entity striving to nurture the local dance community by creating positive opportunities to tap and she is an executive committee and company member of Dogwood Dance Project. In 2024 she founded RVA Tap Day, Richmond's annual national tap dance day celebration honoring the history,

culture and community of the form. Aiming to read true to tap’s tradition she regularly holds lectures, residencies and workshops through both public/private schools, specialty centers and extracurricular education programs.

Aleece Hurt is a choreographer, teacher and performer in the Richmond area with over 10 years of experience. She taught tap dance at Arts In Motion Dance Academy (2016-2025) for all levels and ages, fostering a fun but dedicated classroom culture. 

In 2017, she founded RVA Tap Troupe, a collective of advanced tap dancers that continue to meet weekly for choreography workshops & local performances. 

In 2024, she jumped into the musical theatre world and was an ensemble cast member and Dance Captain for Homefront Players' Legally Blonde the Musical (2024). In 2025, she was asked to choreograph "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", also at Homefront Players. 

Today, she continues as the Director of RVA Tap Troupe, providing new choreography, videos, and enjoying the community built over the last nine years (while still on the lookout for the next musical to perform in!).

More info coming soon.

Movement educator and performer rooted in Richmond’s contemporary dance community. Background in VCU

Dance, Dogtown Dance Theatre, and RVA Dance Collective, with teaching experience across multiple Richmond

studios. Currently teaching at Cumulus Dance (Charlottesville). Specializes in athletic, expressive classes that blend contemporary technique, conditioning, and intelligent sequencing, with a focus on strength, mobility, and cross-

training for dancers.

Bio Coming Soon