Guest ArtistsCartier Williams, dancer

Cartier Williams is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and performer who hails from Washington, D.C. He began his tap dancing career at the age of four. Mr. Williams learned his first tap steps from his grandmother Audrey Williams. At the age of six Mr. Williams performed a piece choreographed by Mýa. Mr. Williams won Apollo Kids at The prestigious Apollo Theater Distinguished as one of The Apollo Theater's youngest "Apollo Legends". Later that year Mr. Williams was invited to the Kennedy Center Honors alongside Robert Downey Jr.

Mr. Williams studied at The Washington School of Ballet under the tutelage of Mary Day. When he was 10 years old, he co-starred with Tap Legends Buster Brown, Jimmy Slyde and Dianne Walker in the International tour of Footnotes. Mr. Williams considers it a blessing to have danced and shared the stage with tap pioneers and masters Peg Leg Bates, The Nicholas Brothers and Gregory Hines.

Mr. Williams has performed for two U.S. Presidents, and in 1998 he co-starred in the PBS Special In Performance at The White House with President Clinton. He toured the U.S. and Japan in the Tony Award-winning Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk, co-starring with Savion Glover. He has performed at The Joyce Theatre, New York City Center as well as the L.A Kodak Theatre where he performed The AFI Awards: A Tribute to Tom Hanks. Other appearances include a performance at Usher's birthday bash in New York City as well as performances for the FCC, The CIA, The State Department and Department of Justice.

Mr. Williams performed in A Beautiful Chaos in 2011; this production was created by Mr. Williams and his fellow New York Film Academy student, Matt Denoma. As a filmmaker Mr. Williams has written, directed and produced Phone Bait, The Violinist and My Love Awaits. He's also appeared in Spike Lee's Film Bamboozled. Mr. Williams also performed at The Opening of the Cannes Film Festival for Moulin Rouge.

Mr. Williams performed with Super-DJ Chew FU at The Palms Hotel/Resort in Las Vegas. His first instructional DVD, Cartier Williams' Hoofing with the Basics Vol.1, is available at all Capezio Retail Stores. Mr. Williams choreographed and directed Cartier Williams Rhythm Refix in summer 2014 at The Museum of Contemporary Moving Arts in Chicago.

Cartier Williams is the co-founder and co-artistic director of The European Tap Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers low income children an opportunity to experience the arts through tap dance. He is also the co-owner of Foundations Milan-based school, Tap Temple, which officially started classes in 2014. Additionally, Mr. Williams is continuing to develop multiple musical productions, as well as expanding his brand with productions, including tap shoes and instructional videos.