OUR MISSION
Through dance, music, and art we empower individuals to take authentic action toward making the world a better place.
We’ve always believed that dance, music, and art is for everyone and they are present in all of us. By tapping into them, we can connect more deeply to ourselves and each other. We know that there is power in weaving dance into life, and life into dance. We want to provide more opportunities for people to unlock their potential and inspire them to take action towards the things that they care most about.
ABOUT US
Weaving dance into life, weaving life into dance since 1989.
As a resident company of The Long Center (since 2008) and previously at Austin's Paramount Theatre (1992-2007), Tapestry is a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 by rhythm tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet/jazz artist Deirdre Strand for the purpose of developing a foundation in multi-form dance performance and education. Initially, a performing company of three, the organization expanded to a professional company of seven resident artists, a diversified administrative and production support staff and a pre-professional and adult training facility in Austin, TX sharing the unique Strand/Gray training syllabus.
In 2021, COVID shifted the organization into a streamlined production and artistic organization collaborating with global and Austin, TX artists to continue to share its mission. Tapestry Dance Company shares the power of dance, music and theatre through numerous events and programs sponsored by individual contributors, corporations, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Austin and the Texas Commission on the Arts as well as its wonderful audiences and touring sponsors. These programs include seasonal multi-form concert premieres, The Annual Soul to Sole International Tap Festival, community outreach programs, pop up masterclasses and workshops in dance, theatre and music, affordable rental space and a home for numerous Austin artists as well as touring residencies throughout the US and abroad. From 2002-2021, Tapestry existed as the only full-time, salaried dance company specializing in the art of jazz tap dance world-wide.
Tapestry is also proud to have hosted and collaborated with numerous Austin based artists and arts organizations including Anu Naimpally, Roy Lozano Ballet Folklorico, Lannaya Drum & Dance, ATASH, The Love of China, Zein Al-Jundi & The Bint El Balad Bellydance Ensemble, Olivia Chacon, Andrea Ariel, Pamela Hart (Women in Jazz), The Irish Dance Center of Austin, visual artist Ami Plasse, the late Tina Marsh with The Creative Opportunity Orchestra and numerous local jazz musicians including Masumi Jones voted "Best Jazz Drummer" by The Austin Chronicle. International dance and music artists include Dr. Fayard Nicholas (The Nicholas Brothers), Arthur Duncan (The Lawrence Welk Show), Brenda Bufalino, Gregory Hines, Sarah Petronio, Michelle Dorrance (MacArthur Fellow), Bill Evans, Dr. Harold Cromer, Dianne Walker, Dr. Jeni Leon, James Clouser and many contemporary leaders in the dance, theatre and music fields today as well as dozens of incredible resident artists hired on full-time season contracts from the US and abroad as part of Tapestry Dance Company.
As a member of The Texas Commission on the Arts, The Mid-American Arts Alliance and Heartland touring programs over the past 33 years, the multi-form choreographic works and training of Tapestry Dance Company have been lovingly woven throughout the U.S. and abroad to include Cyprus, Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland, Canada and China. The company has been honored by numerous “Best of” awards by The Austin Chronicle as well as Best Dance Company, Best Dance Production, Best Choreography, numerous Best Dancer(s) and Best Ensemble by the Austin Critics Table Awards. The company also toured the award-winning National Endowment for the Arts: Masterpiece Dance original production of Acia Gray’s The Souls of Our Feet – A Celebration of American Tap Dance throughout the USA, Canada and China and shifted to a focus on tap dance from 2008 to 2021.
The organization is proud to return to its founding roots as a multi-dimensional, multi-form performance and educational organization.
STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Click on a team member to see their bio.
Board Secretary,
Volunteer Committee Chair
Interested in joining our board?
Click here for information about the submission process for consideration for the Tapestry Board of Directors.
What we envision for the future...
Over the next few years, that means our strategic focuses will be on the following initiatives and projects:
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Building an multi-form academy for adults and teens with a variety of classes for dance, music, and art
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Increasing our capacity for growth with a larger staff, volunteer base, and innovative ways of using our space
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Sharing dance through performance to more of our community
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Collaborating and partnering with other dancers, musicians, and artists