Stone Soup Rhythms -

Stone Soup Rhythms

Stone Soup Rhythms (SSR), the resident ensemble of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, is a collective of emerging and established tap dance artists who bend time and space to make new work. The name Stone Soup Rhythms refers to a European fable in which a wayfaring stranger brings a small village together to create a communal feast by enticing each member to add a unique ingredient. Led for the last three years by CHRP’s Artist in Residence Dani Borak, the company has a large and eclectic repertoire including works by Borak, MacArthur Genius Michelle Dorrance, Emmy Award winner Ted Louis Levy, CHRP Founder and Director Lane Alexander, sand master Guillem Alonso, Step Afrika! Artistic Director Jakari JcKo Sherman and others. SSR connects the ancient and sacred roots of percussive dance to the urban vibe of personal expression and innovation to create a feast of sound and movement.

“The unison rhythms of the historic work combines crisp footwork, claps, and body percussion in a fun, fast-paced tap dance primer that forms the basis for everything that follows.” -Lynn Colburn Shapiro, SeeChicagoDance.com

“Daniel Borak’s “Alien/RYTME/Fusion” for Stone Soup Rhythms is a truly innovative fusion of tap and modern dance, combining full-body gesture, swinging arms, falls to the floor, body pulsing and the sound of heels scraping the stage. A big dance for five men and three women, this piece fills the Harris stage with fantastic body moves, folding torsos and a literally tapped-out mood of urban anxiety, expressed in virtuoso tap dance rhythms.” -Lynn Colburn Shapiro, SeeChicagoDance.com

Stone Soup Rhythms Performers

Artist in Residence

Photo credit to Julia Nash Photography

Dani Borak A native of Switzerland (Winterthur), Dani has performed as a soloist around the world and has won 11 gold medals in many different categories (six in solo male) at the IDO tap dance world championships in Riesa, Germany. In 2013, he served as co-choreographer and dance captain for productions of Spamalot and Flashdance. In 2014, he collaborated on the creation of Funny Feet (by Lukas Weiss Productions) a show that fused tap dance, juggling, virtuosic foot percussion and humor. Other shows featuring his performances in 2014–15 included WINGS by Rigolo and, thanks to Regine Ochsner, Rhythm Refix by Cartier Williams. In 2015, he faced the greatest challenge of his career, performing in Kilian Deissler’s Kick The Square: tapping by using notes in an extremely complex way, with six other musicians, using a notation system specifically created for the project and a special stage consisting of different sound elements.

Stone Soup Ensemble

Photo credit to Julia Nash Photography

Tristan Bruns is a Chicago tap dancer who has received training under Donna Johnson, Ted Louis Levy, Sam Weber and Martin “Tre” Dumas III. Tristan has been on faculty at the Circle City Tap Festival (Indianapolis) and Rhythm World (Chicago) and is currently a member of M.A.D.D. rhythms directed by Bril Barrett, and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s resident ensemble directed by Artist In Residence Daniel Borak. Tristan is the Director of Tapman Productions and has produced two seasons of performances in Chicago, including The Adventures of Tapman, THRUST!, and La Raison d’etre. Tapman Productions has provided production assistance to dance artists Ian Berg (From The Top), Jumaane Taylor (Supreme Love), Kate O’Hanlon (Modern Marvels Dance Co.), Kendra Jorsted (Jorstap) and the Elgin Ties Dance Festival (Elgin Taps). Tapman Productions is currently beginning their 3rd season in Chicago, IL. Tristan has performed locally, nationally and internationally with notable performances at the Beijing International Dance Festival, the Reus (Spain) Tap Dance Festival, The Poznan(Poland) Jazz Festival, Rhythm World Tap Festival (Chicago), 42nd St. choreographed by Jared Grimes (Drury Lane-‐Oakbrook, IL), Supreme Love choreographed by Jumaane Taylor (Chicago), Celtic Fyre (Williamsburg), the Detroit Jazz Festival, The Steve Harvey Show and The Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow. Tristan has performed with other Chicago dance companies such as the Cartier Collective, Chicago Dance Crash and Matter Dance.

Photo credit to Julia Nash Photography

Time Brickey is a tap dancer, musician, and generally entertaining guy from Chicago. He is a member of M.A.D.D. Rhythms and a collaborator with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Stone Soup Rhythms and has performed in Dance for Life Chicago, the Stomping Grounds Festival, JUBA!, and as a soloist at the Billy Strayhorn Centennial, where he was described by the Chicago Tribune as a “Literal Loose Cannon.” Time was featured tap dancing on 91.1 Vocalo with DJ Ayana Contreras for Reclaimed Soul in The Parks, and in the critically acclaimed production of 42nd St. at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. Time can also be spotted in the wild world of puppetry, performing with Cabinet of Curiosity Productions. Call him sometime, why not? He’s nice.

Photo credit to Julia Nash Photography

Megan Davis started dancing in Austin, TX studying with Tri-Tone, under the direction of Tasha Lawson, and Tapestry Dance Company, under the direction of Acia Gray. Megan moved to Chicago in 2013 to pursue her STEM and dance career. In 2016 she obtained her Bachelors of Science in pure math and subsequently in 2017 she earned her Masters of Science in pure mathematics. While studying, she was privileged to dance and perform with MADD Rhythms, under the direction of Bril Barrett, Tapman Productions, under the direction of Tristan Bruns, and Stone Soup Rhythms, which is under the direction of Lane Alexander and artistic direction by artist in residence Daniel Borak. Most recently, she performed with Rhythm ISS…, under the direction of Sarah Savelli, Idella Reed-Davis, and Sharon Rushing in their show “Rhythm ISS… Returns!”, MADD Rhythms show “Feeling Good, a MADD Rhythms tribute to Nina Simone”, and at the opening tap jam for Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World Tap and Percussive Arts Festival at the Jazz Showcase. She premiered her choreography in Chicago at Stage 773 in the show “Persist: Tap Dance Made by Women” through Audible Odyssey’s artist in resonance program and at Navy Pier through the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World Tap and Percussive Arts Festival.

Donnetta Jackson was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She started dancing at the age of 7 at The Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre and at 11 years old, became one of the founding members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Donnetta has performed all over the US, including the St. Louis Tap Festival, The Detroit Jazz Fest, United Nations in New York, Florida, and Tennessee. She has received scholarships from The Sammy Dyer School of Theatre and Chicago Dance Connection and taught at The Sammy Dyer School of Theatre, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy, and Maria High School. In addition to tap dance, she does hip-hop, ballet, jazz, praise dance, tumbling, and cheerleading. TV appearances include various local news programs.

Photo Credit to Brian Wolfe(y)

Sioned Papparotto, an artist, teacher, and fitness enthusiast, graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA dual degree in Dance and Psychology. There, she studied with Shelley Oliver, who gave her the basis of the training she’d carry with her to Chicago. Since living in Chicago, Sioned has had the honor and privilege of being a dancer and collaborator with Stone Soup Rhythms, which is under the direction of Lane Alexander and artistic direction by artist in residence Daniel Borak, apprenticing with MADD Rhythms, under the direction of Bril Barrett, and apprenticing with Chicago Tap Theatre, under the direction of Mark Yonally. She has had the opportunity to perform for Dance for Life Chicago, the Stomping Grounds Festival, JUBA!, and Audible Odyssey. In addition to tap dancing, Sioned is a Fully Certified STOTT Pilates Instructor, an NASM Personal Trainer, and a licensed Massage Therapist. She thoroughly enjoys combining both her love of dance and her desire to keep her fellow dancers healthy. She is the resident “fixer” and is often spotted helping company members with a variety of injuries throughout the season.

Photo Credit to Julia Nash Photography

Matt Pospeshil grew up dancing, singing & performing theater in the northern suburbs of Chicago, and got his start dancing professionally with Especially Tap Chicago (dir. Julie Cartier). He furthered his education at Western Michigan University; got a BA in Dance, and performed Musical Theater. After college, Matt returned home to dance with Inaside Chicago Dance (dir. Richard Smith), Chicago Tap Theatre (dir. Mark Yonally), and now the Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Company (dir. Amy Giordano). Some other notable performances that Matt has had the pleasure to be involved with are Dance for Life, Dance in the Parks, The Fly Honey Show, Audible Odyssey & The Green Mill Poetry Slam. Matt is honored to be a collaborator with Stone Soup Rhythms, and an alumni of Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s former collective, BAM! (dir. Lane Alexander). When he is not performing he is teaching throughout the greater Chicagoland area, and runs a performing arts academy with his family in Buffalo Grove, IL called Pospeshil Performing Arts.

KJ Sheldon is originally from Parker, Colorado. At 8 years old, her love of tap dance began as a student of the late Professor Robert L. Reed and member of the Colorado Chapter of the St. Louis Hoofers Club. She grew up surrounded by his love for the art from, the St. Louis Tap Festival, and all the Masters that came through her life. KJ is currently attending the Chicago College of Performing Arts and will graduate this Spring, getting her BFA in Musical Theatre with an emphasis in Dance. She is a member of MADD Rhythms Tap Company, Stone Soup Rhythms, and recently danced in the reunion concert with Rhythm ISS… She is thrilled to be in the Ensemble of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream, that runs through the New Year! Now, she is pursuing both theatre and tap dance around the city of Chicago!

Photo Credit to Julia Nash Photography

Davon Suttles, an emerging artist of North Minneapolis, growing up performing in Keane Sense of Rhythm Youth Tap Ensemble. The past decade he has been able to study, perform, and teach internationally. He recently had the privilege of opening for Ben Vereen in “A Night with Ben Vereen” with Chicago Tap Theatre.
In 2016 Davon was chosen to showcase two new works; Shine at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project Youth Tap Ensemble Conference Benefit Concert, and Grid at the Twin Cities Tap Festival. Now the. Resident Choreographer of Keane Sense of Rhythm Davon is working on a self produced show entitled MELANIZED, which explores the everyday beauty and struggles of people of color. Davon is also an actor, he is a senior pursuing a BA in Musical Theatre Performance at Columbia College Chicago. He has performed with the Children’s Theatre Company in Shrek the Musical, and Bare – a pop opera. He has also worked at Stages, Illusion Theatre, Windy City Music Theatre, and last fall was a featured dancer in a hit adaption of 42nd Street, choreographed by broadway performer Jared Grimes, at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace.

Photo Credit to Julia Nash Photography

Jessica Tenbusch has been dancing for over 20 years, starting her training in Collierville, Tennessee at Ginny Mount School of Dance. She continued her training and graduated with honors, receiving a BA in Dance from Western Kentucky University. After graduating, she moved to Chicago where she danced as an apprentice with Chicago Tap Theatre, under the direction of Mark Yonally, for three years. In 2014, she began dancing with Tristan Bruns and his company TapMen, and she is still a current member. She also is currently a dancer with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s resident company Stone Soup Rhythms, under the direction of Lane Alexander and Dani Borak. Jessica has performed all over the Chicago area, and has travelled abroad, dancing in Italy, France, and Spain. With the CHRP, she has performed works by Dani Borak and renowned tap dancer and choreographer Michelle Dorrance. She loves the opportunity of getting to dance with so many talented dancers of different backgrounds with CHRP.