Katharine Manor

 

Raised in the Rockville, MD/D.C. Metro area, Katharine has been studying tap dance since the age of 4. 

 

With a priority for musicality, cleanliness/clarity of sound, and improvisation over 'flash' and acrobatics, Ms. Manor has studied with the most accomplished, knowledgeable, and accredited tap dancers across the country in her 16 years spent in the form.This list includes Dianne Walker, Jason Samuel Smith, Derrick Grant, Sarah Reisch, Chloe and Maud Arnold (of The Syncopated Ladies), Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Michelle Dorrance, Joseph Webb, the late Harold Cromer, among many others, and with Baakari Wilder and Lisa Swenton-Eppard (of 'Capitol Tap') at the forefront of her education growing up in D.C..

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As a teenager, Katharine performed with the groups 'Tappers With Attitude (TWA)' and Capitol Tap, (presently). She has participated in a variety of festivals and cutting contests over the last decade including the annual D.C. Tap Festival, Syncopated Ladies Boot Camp and the New Jersey Tap Festival, where she won 1st place in 2014 and received a scholarship to the Los Angeles Tap Festival. 

 

Presently, as an African-American dancer and scholar, Katharine's work often focuses on matters of social justice, equality, historical accuracy, and a wonderful love for tradition that reads in the most musical way.  

 

Recently, Katharine has performed in the 2016 American Dance Festival College Association SE Conference, the 2016 Black Theatre Network Conference and now tours with D&E alumni, singer-songwriter Kaia Kater who was featured on The Rolling Stones highlighted 'top ten upcoming artists' 2016 review. She also attended and presented at the APAP conference in New York City.

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Katharine currently studies American Vernacular Dance at Davis & Elkins College, in Elkins West Virginia, under professors Laurie Goux, Becky Hill, and Emily Oleson. Katharine tours with the Davis & Elkins College Appalachian Ensemble which performs traditional music and dance. While at home in Rockville MD, Katharine also teaches at the Knock-on-Wood Tap Studio.