
Vanessa Sonon
Tap/Musical Theater
Vanessa is a native from PA where she began her dance training at 4 years old and has been teaching for over 25 years throughout her performance career. After graduating from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, PA with a BFA in Musical Theater, she started her professional performance career right out of college in the First National Tour of 42nd St, the Revival. After that she debuted on Broadway in the 42nd St Revival with Mark Bramble (Director) and Randy Skinner (Choreographer) as Peggy Sawyer. Other Broadway credits include working with the great Mike Nichols (director) as well as Casey Nicholaw (choreographer) in Spamalot, (Lady of the Lake u/s) and Anything Goes Revival with Sutton Foster, (Erma u/s) under the great Kathleen Marshall (Director/Choreographer).
Growing up she was extremely fortunate to not only train from but to perform with some of the greatest tap dancing legends such as the late, great Buster Brown, Fayard Nicholas and LaVaughn Robinson. Founding member of Muhlenberg Tap Ensemble, Shelley Oliver Tap Ensemble and LaVaughn Tap Ensemble (Phila, PA).
In addition to teaching at Shuffles, she’s taught at Broadway Dance Center, UArts, NYC National Tap Dance Day festivals, Tap Ties, Lehigh Valley Dance Alliance, and the Manhattan Youth Ballet among other companies. She strives to inspire her students, no matter where she may be teaching, giving her students the skills and techniques to fall in love with the performing arts.