Feet don’t falter as troupe drums up financial support

Untapped, the city’s professional tap dance company, held its second eponymous fundraiser Feb. 19 at Ron Robinson Theater. More than 100 people turned out to see the dance numbers, which included an absolutely electric in a bucket-drumming-anddance number.

Matt Boyce, Untapped’s founder, said this was a showcase piece composed of several west African rhythms bookending a very physical set of dance steps. “We use these rhythms to share the historical aspects of tap dancing and its roots in our workshops,” he said.

The night wrapped up with a raffle that was “like a mini lottery, with everyone checking their tickets to see if they had won,” Boyce said. One happy family won a seven-night trip to New York.

On the advice of his brother, the organization’s chief financial officer, Boyce won’t say how much Untapped the fundraiser brought in for Untapped the nonprofit. The company also hosts tap dance workshops inside schools and community centers. The workshops are free, so fundraising helps offset expenses and stipends for the dancers.

The dance company’s full show will be staged at its annual June performance, likely the weekend of June 10-12. Tickets will be between $20 and $30. — Story and photos by

Bobby Ampezzan

Matt Boyce, Savannah Harrington, Maegan Hickerson of Redfield, Megan McDonald, Lauran Devries, Brett Bibel, Lorri Yung and Sydney Kneuven

Peggy and Ben Brenner with their son, Barlow

Elita Caple (middle) with Julie and Don Kneuven

Eileen Runkle, Devin Akins, and David and Chrissie Sachar