Who We Are

Yvonne Edwards


Studio Director, Knock On Wood Tap Studio

Assistant Director, Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble

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

Victoria Moss

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 ten 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.

Gigi Buscaglio

Ms. Gigi's favorite thing to do in the world is tap dancing, although she has many other interests such as singing, acting and performing. She currently takes tap dance lessons from her original teacher, Miss Mary Lou Peters, who taught her when she began taking dance lessons at 5 years old. Gigi loves to choreograph and direct people for variety shows and musicals. She recently co-choreographed 42nd Street with the illustrious Ms. Nancy Newall. She teaches singing and music to babies and mommies/daddies at Musikids in Bethesda. She also is a member of the high-energy performance group, The 3 Divas, presenting an Andrews Sisters and disco show. (She, however, reports that she does not do windows.)  Ms. Gigi loves Knock on Wood!

Heidi Holland

Heidi Holland has performed since the age of 3, when she made her solo debut at the Fairfax County Fair. Since then, she has been fortunate to have danced with acclaimed tap companies Tappers With Attitude and DC ARTistry Tap & Drum. She has had the opportunity to work with many renowned artists including Barbara Duffy, Ayodele Casel, La Vaughn Robinson, Mike Minery, Baakari Wilder, Chloe Arnold and Lane Alexander. In 2004, Heidi also worked alongside Dana Michaels, assisting her at regional conventions along the east coast.

Ms. Heidi has performed at numerous Metro DC region venues, including a nationally televised appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Capital Fourth show in 2001, and the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. She also appeared at Theatre Four in New York City, accompanied by the world-famous Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Since the age of 16, Heidi has choreographed for many dance companies, such as the Fairfax Dance Academy, Soundworks (Philadelphia, PA), Centreville Dance Theatre (Centreville, VA), and New Image Dance Studio (Miami, FL). She was the artistic director of the B.D.C. Tap Project from 2004-06. In continuing with her love for dance, she was also a member of Mayzsoul, a professional dance company that debuted at NYC's Gershwin Hotel in 2007.

Heidi is currently a full-time student at George Mason University, where she is studying elementary and special education. She also teaches at Knock On Wood and other area studios.

James "Jazzy Jim" Hughes

James L. Hughes has been teaching at Knock On Wood for the past 4 years. He is recognized for his melodic tap rhythms and inspired work as a soloist, teacher and choreographer. Jazzy Jim (as he is known by his peers and colleagues) helped develop a "Tap for Boys" program at KOW, where he is also a popular teacher of adult classes.

In 1986, Jim began taking tap at Cindy King Dance Studio. In 1993, he also began studying at Knock On Wood, where he honed his skills under the expert guidance of Yvonne Edwards, Studio Director and master tap dancer. James has continued his studies through master classes with professional tap artists such as Dianne Walker, Barbara Duffy, Brenda Bufalino, Robert Reed, Lane Alexander, Maurice Hines, Buster Brown and Dr. Henry LeTang, among others.

James has taught at Christian Dance Academy for 5 years and has brought dancers from there and from Knock On Wood together for an exchange of dance training (ballet and tap). Jazzy Jim's advanced tap students from Christian Dance Academy have also been showcased at Knock On Wood's "Open Mic Night."

In 1997, Jazzy Jim performed as a solo artist in Showstopper American Dance Championships and placed first. The legendary Peg Leg Bates told him after watching him dance at a Washington DC tap festival, "I like your dancing. You got good feet!" James performs at local venues, cabarets, local festivities, tapping for the Lord in church and inspirational dance productions, open mic nights and at National Tap Dance Day festivities.

Shannon Quinn

Ms. Shannon Quinn been on KOW's faculty since 2005. She magically appeared when we were looking for someone wonderful and patient(!) to work with our new tap class for 4-year-olds; since that time, she has expanded this group to include 3-year-olds. Shannon taught both of KOW's week-long summer camps last summer and we're thrilled that she is directing our brand new Spring Break Camp this spring.

Shannon graduated from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with a BA in Dance Education and K-12 certification. Besides teaching for KOW, she works full-time at Dance Place as Outreach Coordinator and Box Office Manager, and is a member of the modern dance company, Carla & Company. She has also worked with several other DC-based choreographers.

Leanne Regan

Leanne Regan grew up in Wilkes-Barre, PA and started dancing at the age of 3 at the David Blight School of Dance. She studied tap and a variety of other forms of dance, including taking ballet from Russian ballet masters. Leanne graduated magna cum laude with her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with minors in business administration and management. She is on staff at Dance Place as Production Manager and has taught at multiple DC public charters schools, Olney Ballet Center, Maryland Youth Ballet, Joy of Motion Dance Center and the Metropolitan Ballet Academy. Leanne is currently teaching tap and jazz at Knock on Wood and at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington's Dance Department.

Cindy Spishak

Cindy Spishak began dancing at age 3 in Northern Virginia at Cuppett's Performing Arts Center. She spent 14 years dancing, performing, and competing tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop and Cecchetti. At age 14, she began teaching and coaching fellow students. After graduating from high school, Cindy attended the College of William and Mary where she performed with, taught, and managed the dance company Pointe Blank. During the summers, she trained and performed with various modern and jazz companies in Washington, DC and taught ballet, tap, and jazz in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Business Degree in Operations and Information Technology with minors in Art and Art History, and continues to work as an IT Program Manager. Ms. Cindy joined Knock on Wood as a student in 2007 and gladly accepted a teaching position at the studio in January of 2008.

Baakari Wilder

Baakari Wilder is a young man who has had an astounding career. Savion Glover's replacement in the Broadway production of "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk," Baakari is a native Washingtonian and got his beginning right here in the DC Metropolitan area.

At 12, Baakari opened for tap legends Harold Nicholas, Sandman Simms, and Brenda Bufalino at the Kennedy Center. At 15, he won the Steve Condos Award which granted him a scholarship to one of the first American tap festivals, in Boulder, Colorado. Baakari's dancing has delighted audiences in places such as the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian, Carnegie Hall, and Jazz @ Lincoln Center. He has taught and performed around the country and around the world and has acting credentials that include both film and television.

Baakari studied tap under Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Brenda Bufalino, Yvonne Edwards, and Renee Kreithen. He was the original dance captain of Tappers With Attitude, and has two pieces of choreography with the company. He teaches in MD, DC, and VA.

Read more about Baakari on our TWA Alumni page.

Rita Wilson

Info to come!

Michael Wooden

Michael Wooden began tapping at the age of 7 years old. He was one of the first members of Tappers With Attitude's Junior Company and moved quickly to the Core Company. Michael assisted TWA instructors Yvonne Edwards and Renee Kreithen ornamenting the dance for the Kennedy Center Honors to Shirley Temple in 1998. Michael has appeared at the Kennedy Center in the Brothers of the Night production under the direction of Debbie Allen. He has also performed a solo at the 11th Annual Capital Awards gala with guitarist Pepe Gonzales at the Strathmore. Michael has been teaching since the age of 13.

Joan Sigel

Ms. Joan also came to Knock On Wood through a personal connection, this time a friendship with two longtime TWA parents. Our always cheerful "go-to" gal holds down the front desk on weekdays. Joan studied ballet with Mary Day as a child and young teen, and had the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker Suite at Constitution Hall before moving on to other interests. In the year that she's been at the Studio, she has become a convert to tap dance, and can be found in tap classes several times a week. When she is not at the Studio, she is caring for her clients in her massage therapy practice. Other passions include Cape Cod beaches, and downhill skiing in Colorado.

Courtenay Swinton

Ms. Courtenay began her tap training at New York's Steps on Broadway, studying under her mentor, Charles Goddertz. He engaged her to assist and lead classes at Tap City as well as at Steps On Broadway. According to Mr. Goddertz, "Her love for tap dancing is apparent by her infectious smile and spirit." Ms. Courtenay recently relocated to Maryland and, in search of a new tap home, was referred to Ms. Yvonne and Knock On Wood by Mr. Goddertz. Shortly thereafter, she joined our family as a part of the Knock On Wood staff.

Ms. Courtenay has over 13 years of work experience including human resources, marketing, fundraising and event planning. In addition to tap, Ms. Courtenay enjoys traveling, is an Etiquette Coach in training, and is an avid NY Giants fan, but most important of all, she enjoys spending time with her Sailor!

Rose Peterson

Ms. Rose's warm smile offers an inviting weekend welcome to all our visitors, but she never expected that bowling would get her a job at a tap dance studio. However, Ms. Yvonne and Rose's aunt bowl together, and 4 years ago, when the studio was looking for Saturday help, the connection was made. Rose also works in the medical field, and she attends and works at the Greater Tried Stone Baptist Church in Washington, DC. In addition to working with the children and parents at Knock On Wood, Ms. Rose enjoys Bible class, bowling and spending time with her family.

Jasmine Davis

Jasmine is currently enrolled at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, shopping, and anything that has to do with fashion. She's been working at Knock On Wood just about a year; she's a great help to the administrative staff, and enjoys assisting with any needs of parents and students. Knock On Wood is a tap-friendly environment - and she recommends it to anyone interested in excelling in their dance passion!