Michelle Dorrance Receives First Princess Grace Award for Tap Choreography

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA has announced the 2012 Princess Grace Awards, including the first such award for tap choreography in its 30-year history to tap artist Michelle Dorrance. Dorrance's award will support the creation of a new work for Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP)'s ensemble BAM!, which will premiere as part of CHRP's Windy City Rhythms program, its annual celebration of National Tap Dance Day, in May 2013.

Dorrance will create her multigenerational work in February at CHRP's new American Rhythm Center, a shared, affordable and sustainable education, rehearsal and administrative facility for several leading Chicago arts organizations, located in the historic Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago, opening September 10, 2012.

Michelle Dorrance is one of the most sought-after tap dancers of her generation. She teaches, choreographs and performs throughout the U.S. and abroad, directs her company Dorrance Dance and is proud to celebrate her one-year anniversary performing in the Off-Broadway production STOMP. Dorrance is one of only seven tap dancers and the first tap choreographer to receive this recognition from the Princess Grace Foundation. She will accept her award at the 30th Anniversary Princess Grace Awards ceremony in New York on October 22, 2012.