Palmetto Tap

It's an honor to be bringing back in the LEGEND that is Jason Bernard!! A crowd favorite and a mega-talent for PTI 10!

Jason E. Bernard is a native New Yorker from The Bronx. At the age of 17 he made his Broadway debut in The Tony Award winning musical "Bring In 'da Noise, Bring In 'da Funk". In 2000 he made his feature film debut in The Spike Lee Feature Film "Bamboozled" and in 2001 he appeared alongside the late Great Gregory Hines in The Showtime Original Movie "Bojangles". He traveled the world with the international dance phenomenon "Riverdance" for 10 years performing for millions of audience members. For 3 years while living in Ireland Jason performed with Cois Céim Dance Theater for their premiere production of “Dodgems” and their 10 year anniversary revival of "Boxes”. In 2011 “Cotton Club Parade” premiered at City Center for “Encores” where Jason originated the role of one of “The Five Blazes”. That production went on to Broadway as “After Midnight” and won a Tony Award for Best Choreography. In 2022 Jason was nominated for an Industry Dance Award for Favorite Convention Teacher. Currently, he is on tour with LA Dance Magic as their Tap Educator and he is the director of the LA Dance Magic Tap Company. Jason is truly honored to be able to share and teach the gift of rhythm around the world!

We are THRILLED to announce the return of one of our favorites and a friend who has been with us since the beginning... NUCCI!

Christina Carminucci is a New York City-based tap dancer. Recognized as one of Dance Magazine’s 2022 “25 to Watch." While earning her BBA in Arts and Entertainment Management at Pace University, she was fortunate enough to study extensively under the mentorship of Derick K Grant. The Jacob’s Pillow Tap Program alumna has appeared in works by many of today’s greatest practitioners, including Dormeshia, Derick K Grant, Jumaane Taylor, and Ali Bradley. Over the past decade, Christina has performed at reputable venues including The Joyce Theater, The Apollo Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 92Y, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). She has appeared at the Gold Coast Dance Festival (NY), Caramoor Jazz Festival (NY), the Paramount Center for the Arts (MN), and the Chicago Jazz Showcase. “Nucci” has also toured internationally as an ensemble member of Christopher Erk’s Tap Factor, performing on board the #1 rated cruise ship in the world, the MS Europa 2.
Inspired to continue the tradition of presenting tap dance with live jazz music, Christina produced On That Note (2016-2018), followed by When the Smoke Clears (2019). This laid the groundwork for The Solidarity Series, an ongoing live performance platform she created in 2021, dedicated to both furthering the development and increasing the visibility of tap dance as it relates to jazz music in efforts to uphold the principles of their connection. “The Solidarity Series IV: Free Spirits Suite” was presented by the 41st Annual Battery Dance Festival and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Christina’s most recent exploration of the work, “The Solidarity Series V: You Don’t Know What Love Is,” was presented by the Dormeshia Tap Collective. She teaches regularly at Steps on Broadway, guest teaches at various workshops around the country and world, and hosts a free jam session every month in NYC. Christina is also an adjunct professor of Tap Dance at Marymount Manhattan College.

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Announcing out 1st PTI 2026 FACULTY DROP!!

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THE ONE
THE ONLY

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JASON JANAS!!!
Jason Janas is originally from New Jersey. He began his tap dance instruction under Ms. Deborah Mitchell and was the first charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. He then found a love for the dance and continued to learn and study the art form. He also trained and was a member of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler. His first professional company after high school was Tapestry Dance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray where he was a principal dancer there for 5 years. His hard work ethic began to take notice and Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! which ran for 6 weeks in Chicago, and changed his life. His other show credits include "Souls of our Feet" with Tapestry Dance Company, "Wonderland" with Sara Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and most recently co-choreographed and was featured in "Tap Stars" with Rasta Thomas. He has taught at tap festivals in New Jersey, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte, Austin, San Antonio, Vancouver, Zurich, Curitiba (Brazil), Moscow, and Barcelona! Jason now currently is a super proud Dad to Jersey Jane Janas and the lucky husband of the beautiful Bianca Bousamra Janas and the proud studio owner along with Bianca of their beloved dance studio called The Foundation Houze LLC. Jason still practices each day around 7 am for a few hours and loves to teach each weekend for RADIX dance convention which he has been on faculty for 10 years. Jason loves using tap dance to I still confidence in people that carries over into every day life. Tap Dance is apart of Jason’s every day life and loves being a Dad, Husband and Tap Dancer. Jason loves all things Tap Dance and enjoys to learn about those tap dancers who came before him.

“The history of the art form has really helped to guide me as I continue to grow as a Tap Dancer”

ANNOUNCING PTI 2026 1st Faculty Drop....
Register NOW link in bio! Last week to get early bird discount!! (Ends May 1!!)

JASON JANAS!!
Jason Janas is originally from New Jersey. He began his tap dance instruction under Ms. Deborah Mitchell and was the first charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. He then found a love for the dance and continued to learn and study the art form. He also trained and was a member of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler. His first professional company after high school was Tapestry Dance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray where he was a principal dancer there for 5 years. His hard work ethic began to take notice and Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! which ran for 6 weeks in Chicago, and changed his life. His other show credits include "Souls of our Feet" with Tapestry Dance Company, "Wonderland" with Sara Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and most recently co-choreographed and was featured in "Tap Stars" with Rasta Thomas. He has taught at tap festivals in New Jersey, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte, Austin, San Antonio, Vancouver, Zurich, Curitiba (Brazil), Moscow, and Barcelona! Jason now currently is a super proud Dad to Jersey Jane Janas and the lucky husband of the beautiful Bianca Bousamra Janas and the proud studio owner along with Bianca of their beloved dance studio called The Foundation Houze LLC. Jason still practices each day around 7 am for a few hours and loves to teach each weekend for RADIX dance convention which he has been on faculty for 10 years. Jason loves using tap dance to I still confidence in people that carries over into every day life. Tap Dance is apart of Jason’s every day life and loves being a Dad, Husband and Tap Dancer. Jason loves all things Tap Dance and enjoys to learn about those tap dancers who came before him.

“The history of the art form has really helped to guide me as I continue to grow as a Tap Dancer”