Shelby Kaufman

Shelby Kaufman, originally from Michigan, has been trained in a variety of dance styles since the age of 5. Now living in New York, she dances as a member of the legendary Brenda Bufalino’s ‘New’ American Tap Dance Orchestra, and world-renowned tap teacher Germaine Salsberg’s company ‘Les Femmes’. She has assisted and frequently guest taught for Salsberg at Broadway Dance Center, The American Tap Dance Foundation, LIU Brooklyn, and CAP 21, and has been a member of the Steps on Broadway, Peridance Capezio Center, Motor City Tap Fest and DC Tap Fest faculties as well. Shelby founded and currently runs two companies of her own; ‘Mazel Toes,’ which is comprised of professional Jewish hoofers in New York, and the Great Lakes Youth Dance Ensemble (GLYDE), based in Michigan. She acts as the Artistic Director and Choreographer for both companies.

Off Broadway, Shelby assisted Gail Pennington Crutchfield on the choreography of 'Freckleface the Musical', and acted as the SDC observer for three-time Emmy nominated choreographer Mandy Moore on 'Nobody Loves You' at Second Stage Theatre. She also frequently assisted the late tap legend Dr. Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer both in choreography and master classes, and was the assistant to NBC SMASH's Emmy Award winning and Tony nominated choreographer, Joshua Bergasse, for his musical theatre choreography showcase at City Center Studios. Additionally, Shelby's choreography has been featured multiple times in the annual Tap City ‘Main Event,' New York City 'Tap Extravaganza,' and Motor City 'Masters of Tap,' as well as 'Tappy Holidays,' 'Band of Gypsies' and the first ‘Young Choreographer’s Festival.'

Shelby has made television appearances tapping on both Sesame Street and The Steve Harvey Show. Other notable venues include the Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Symphony Space, The George Street Playhouse, The Duke Ellington Theatre, and Detroit Orchestra Hall.