Felipe Galganni

Felipe Galganni, tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer, is known for his unique style and versatility in blending tap dance as an American art form with his Brazilian roots.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Felipe Galganni started his training in dance and theater at the age of 9. Mentored by Heather Cornell (Manhattan Tap), Felipe moved to New York City in the summer of 2010 to further his education in tap. Since then he has had the honor of working with such great names on the tap scene as Tony Waag, Max Pollak (Rumba Tap), Chikako Iwahori, Lynn Schwab, Ray Hesselink, Michelle Dorrance, and Derick K. Grant. He has also studied under the master Brenda Bufalino and recently performed in one of her newest works.

In the nearly 15 years of his career, Felipe has taught at the best dance schools in Brazil, New York and worldwide. He is currently a faculty member at several well-known studios in New York City including Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and the American Tap Dance Foundation. He is also honored to have helped Joffrey’s artistic director, Jo Matos, create the Joffrey Ballet School’s Tap Spectacular in Miami, FL, for which he was instrumental in everything from creating the program’s curriculum to auditioning all applicants, as well as teaching at this now annual program.

Felipe is currently focused on his teaching and choreography as a means of revealing the unique Brazilian influence in his expression of tap dance. He also develops his own work with his Company in New York City.
Regarding his 2014 piece “Fuga”, The New York Times writes, "...Felipe Galganni juxtaposed the precision of tap with the curvaceousness of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art. As two crouching, cartwheeling capoeiristas and six tappers wove through one another to Baden Powell's 'Berimbau,' their musicality was contagious."

Felipe has performed at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Joseph Papp's Public Theater (Joe's Pub), The NY Summer Stage, The Citigroup Alvin Ailey Theater, The Cotton Club, The Metropolitan Room, The Bronx Museum, The New York City Center, Lavo NYC, Arlington Club, The Duke on 42nd Street, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New Victory Theater, and others.

In the fall of 2016, Felipe was accepted to the fourth consecutive Emerging Choreographer Series 2017 (ECS#4) presented by Queens-based performance company Mare Nostrum Elements (MNE) and LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC). As a participant in this prestigious series, Felipe choreographed a solo piece entitled All My Trials, which premiered on February 27, 2017.

In April of 2017, Felipe Galganni premiered the concert TAP&TOM at The Players Theatre in New York. With musical direction by the award-winning Carlos Bauzys (Brazil), the performance blended Felipe's original tap dance choreography with the sounds and rhythms of bossa nova.

The sold-out show honored what would have been Tom Jobim's 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of the creation of bossa nova, incorporating Jobim's composition in a celebration that included both live musicians, singers, and dancers.


For more information visit: www.felipegalganni.com