New Jersey Stage Issue 46 | Page 116

Director Allison Tratner. “SOPAC is the perfect place to bring to- gether this impressive, diverse line-up of choreographers for an eclectic, inspiring and entertain- ing experience, and the Council is proud to help make it pos- sible.”  Recipient Hillary-Marie is the Artistic Director of FutureSTEP Tap Company, Sole Music Col- lective and Grooves Unlimited Dance Studio, and the only tap dancer to be honored this year. Ms. Marie states “My current work challenges the notion that tap dance is a dying, under- ground, indigestible art form. I’ve thrown aside the top hat, tuxedo and cane of vaudeville to bring to life my definition of the modern day tap dancer because I believe that rhythm is a univer- sal language and tribal instinct that all of us understand.”  Kyle Marshall has worked with many prestigious companies throughout the region, but since