May 16 was Tap Dance Day

To celebrate, “Living Traditions from the Living Room” is tuning into a conversation between the current artists-in-residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation​, including NCTA festival artist Leonardo Sandoval​. View the conversation on facebook live.

Brazilian-born Leonardo Sandoval has taken the dance world by storm with his innovative, grassroots approach to tap dance. By introducing movements and rhythmic elements found in Brazilian bossa nova, samba, and forró , Sandoval is paving new ground in this distinctly African American dance style, formed when African percussion met European step dance traditions in the 19th century. Leo began dancing at age six in the state of São Paulo, and was later invited to Los Angeles to train and to perform at the L.A. Tap Festival. He moved to New York in 2013, where he now works with Michelle Dorrance’s acclaimed company, Dorrance Dance, and is an artist in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation. In Brazil, Leo also co-founded the Cia Carioca de Sapateado, a tap dance club and company in Rio de Janeiro aimed at rooting and expanding tap dance in Brazilian culture.