Shelby Kaufman
Artistic Dir., The Company & Bravo Company

Shelby grew up in Michigan and has trained in a variety of dance styles since the age of 5. She was a member of Brenda Bufalino’s ‘New’ American Tap Dance Orchestra, and Germaine Salsberg’s ‘Les Femmes’. She assisted and guest taught for Salsberg at Broadway Dance Center, The American Tap Dance Foundation, LIU Brooklyn, and CAP 21, and has been on faculty at Steps on Broadway, Peridance Capezio Center, D.C. Tap Fest, Rock City Tap Fest, and multiple Motor City Tap Fests as well. Shelby teaches workshops and classes around the country, and has her own TAP-torial teaching videos on her YouTube channel. She founded and is the artistic director and choreographer of ’Mazel Toes,’ comprised of professional Jewish hoofers based in New York, and GLYDE, based in Michigan.

Off Broadway, Shelby assisted Gail Pennington Crutchfield on the choreography of ‘Freckleface the Musical’, Peter PAN-tomime and Peter Rabbit The Musical, and worked with Emmy Winning choreographer Mandy Moore on ‘Nobody Loves You’ at Second Stage. She frequently assisted the late tap legend Dr. Harold ‘Stumpy’ Cromer and assisted Joshua Bergasse, for his musical theater choreography showcase at City Center Studios. Her choreography has been featured in the annual Tap City ‘Main Event,’ New York City ‘Tap Extravaganza,’ and ‘Motor City Soles,’ as well as ‘Tappy Holidays,’ ‘Band of Gypsies’ ‘The Choreographer’s Canvas’, and the first ‘Young Choreographer’s Festival.’

Shelby has appeared on Sesame Street and The Steve Harvey Show, and will appear in the upcoming feature film, A Bread Factory Part 2, currently in post-production. Her choreography will be seen in the film as well. She has performed at the Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Symphony Space, The George Street Playhouse, and Detroit Orchestra Hall.