DIRECTORS of Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble

Victoria Moss

Executive Artistic Director, Tappers With Attitude, Inc.

More than 50 years after tapping her first steps, Victoria Moss's heart still beats to the syncopated rhythms of percussive dance. Her background in dance education and arts administration includes her role as a former Director of Children's Programs at Chicago's renowned Old Town School of Folk Music. Other credentials include her work as an artist-in-residence with Urban Gateways, a preeminent arts-in-education organization. While in Chicago, she was also founder and artistic director of a regional touring dance company, and served on the board of an organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional dance. Ms. Vicki joined TWA more than a dozen years ago, bringing with her extensive experience in dance and performance skills, a deep knowledge of the traditional arts, and a passion for nurturing young artists. She believes that "Roots Give Wings," and encourages every young artist to understand and to honor the cultural heritage of their artistic discipline and to stretch the boundaries of their art form, to insure it remains a "living tradition" for future generations.

Yvonne Edwards


Assistant Director, Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble

Co-Founder, Knock On Wood Tap Studio

Knock On Wood Tap Faculty

A native Washingtonian, Yvonne Edwards is Washington's celebrated "Tap Lady." She has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing for over 50 years. Ms. Yvonne, the founder of Knock On Wood Tap Studio (home of Tappers With Attitude), has taught master classes at the International Conference of Black Dance in Atlanta, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and at the New York City Tap Festival, as well as throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Her choreography is included in the repertoire of Tappers With Attitude. A longtime participant in Washington Performing Arts Society's Artists in Schools Program, in 1993 she was the recipient of the "Contribution to Dance in the District" award presented by the DC Ensemble, DC Arts and Humanities, and DC Art Works. She has been honored by the International Association of Blacks in Dance, and was named "Tap Teacher of the Year" by the American Tap Dance Foundation. In September 2006, she received the Metro DC Dance Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education." In December 2006, she received "Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Award for Education" at the Executive's Ball of Montgomery County, MD. In September 2007, Ms. Edwards received the WPAS "Pola Nirenska Award for Lifetime Achievement" at the Metro DC Dance Awards.

Lisa Swenton-Eppard


Assistant Director, Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble

Lisa Swenton-Eppard is a second-generation dance educator; she started dancing in her mother's dance studio in southern Maryland just as soon as she could walk. Ms. Lisa began teaching at the age of 15, and hasn't stopped since. She has been involved in many kinds of dance, including jazz, ballet, and modern, as well as competitions and pageants, both as a participant and a choreographer. Ms. Lisa joined TWA's directorial triumvirate in 2002. In addition to her work with TWA, she serves on the Metro DC Dance Awards selection committee, and also teaches at BlackRock Center for the Arts. Her choreography is included in the repertoire of Tappers With Attitude. She was recently awarded a grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, to further her professional development.