Founder & Artistic Director

Torie is a tap and clog dancer native to Cleveland. Torie danced as an apprentice with M.A.D.D. Rhythms in Chicago, IL for several years and performed with Caston & Company in Beatles on Tap in Detroit, MI.

Torie has a degrees in behavior therapy and special education for children with autism and uses this training in her approach to teaching tap dance. Direct mentees have graduated from RSTC to become distinguished artists at YoungArts and Jacobs Pillow Artists. She hopes to continue to work to provide more tap training and exposure to local dancers looking for more access to the art form and the community.

Company Member, Year 3

Brittany is from Independence, Ohio. Her dance training began at the age of eight at Revolutions Dance Academy under the direction of Lisa and Tricia Bires. She continued her dance training at Baldwin Wallace University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and Dance. During her time at BWU, Brittany took on the role of a Teaching Artist when she taught integrated dance classes throughout Cleveland at The school of Dancing Wheels. Currently Brittany is an instructor at Revolutions Dance Academy. She is also the Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Social Media/Marketing Coordinator and teaching artist with ArtSparks. Through ArtSparks Brittany had the opportunity to participate in professionalisms development workshops with AXIS dance company, an integrated dance company, and Race Forward, a non profit organization that champions racial equity in the media. She also had the opportunity to attend The National Dance Institute's "Dream Week" in New York City. She continues to expand her knowledge as a dancer by attending professional development seminars, master classes, and conventions. She is excited to be part of RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company!

Company Member, Year 3

Emily Kaplan is from Independence, Ohio. She currently attends the University of Akron pursuing a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in dance. Emily danced at Revolutions Dance Academy for 14 years and competed for 10 years. She continues to choreograph routines at RDA. This is Emily’s first year with RhythimiCLE Sound Tap Company and she is excited to continue to perform!

Company Member, Year 7

Rachel Perko is a graduate of Kent State University, majoring in advertising and minoring in marketing. Rached danced at Revolutions Dance Academy for 14 years, competing for 13 years in a variety of styles. She took many dance classes while in college and had the opportunity to perform in the BFA Senior Dance Showcase her junior year. Rachel joined Cleveland Tap Repertory back when it started in 2018 as a way of continuing her love of tap dance, and she is excited to continue to grow and have fun dancing in RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company this year.

Company Member, Year 3

Vivian is a current Protégé with Inlet Dance Theatre who holds her BFA in dance and BSEd in exercise science from The Ohio State University. Her training is primarily in contemporary, jazz, tap, African, and ballet, as well as mat and reformer Pilates. She teaches Pilates, dance, and group fitness classes to children and adults and engages in dance science research in addition to her artistic practice. Using her dance and personal training background, Vivian weaves dance and science as the foundation of her work to guide others to find their love of movement through community-based practice.

Company Graduate, Jacobs Pillow Artist, YoungArts Scholar with Distinction, 6 year member

Alexcia is 17 years old and a senior at Newark High School. She has been dancing for 13 years and her home studio is J.A.Z. Dance and More. Alexcia has been a member of RSTC for 6 years along with being part of the United States Tap Company, and Ohio Elite Tap Company. Alexcia also attends many competitions and recently won a national title. One of her favorite things about tap dance is attending festivals and learning from the professionals. She hopes to continue her tap dance education, and is excited for many new opportunities.

Company Graduate, 3 year member

Aly is a senior in high school from Pickerington, Ohio. She took her first dance class when she was just 2 years old and hasn’t stopped since! She has trained and performed multiple styles of dance with JAZ Dance and More since 2011. She loves jazz, lyrical and musical theatre however tap dancing is by far her most favorite and she has won many solo and group awards for tap dancing. In addition to dance, she is a high school cheerleader, she enjoys fishing and spending time with her friends and family.

Company Graduate, 7 year member

Cara Plants is a n 18 year old, Ohio based tap dancer. Cara loves all styles of dance, but specifically is dedicated to tap. She started tap dancing when she was 8 years old at J.A.Z Dance and More, and continues to train there. Cara was a part of Cleveland Tap Repertory from 2018-2022, and is now a founding member of RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company. Cara has also taken part in the Ohio Elite Tap Company under the direction of Sarah Savelli and Kandee Thacker-Mann. In addition to training, Cara enjoys performing. A few shows Cara has performed in includes Tap 24/7: Murder at the Tap O’cho 2019, Motor City Souls 2019/2021/2022, DC Tap Fest All Star Concert 2022, Tap City: Symphony Space New York 2017/2019, CTR Holiday Show: SouthPark Mall 2021. In the future Cara hopes to pursue a career in dancing.

Company Graduate, 7 year member

Madelyn Maly is a senior at Saint Joseph Academy and has danced for over 13 years. Last season was her last year in CTR/RhythmiCLE Sound and she’s loved traveling and performing with her friends. She’s looking forward to graduating and finding a place for dance in her life in college.

Company Graduate, Graphic Designer, 5 year member

Tira is a tap dancer from Cleveland, Ohio and is currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. At RIT, she has also been accepted as a performing arts dance scholar and is a member of Vis Viva Dance Company. She trained in many disciplines starting at the age of three up until graduation at Studio J Academy of Dance and later on joined the competitive team. Tap dance has always been Tira’s favorite style of dance and she is grateful to have been welcomed into the RhythmiCLE family. Some highlights within the company have been attending classes and performing at Motor City Tap Fest, the holiday performances each winter, and working with guest choreographers.

Company Graduate, Jacobs Pillow Artist, YoungArts scholar, 6 year company member

Tori Shaner is a passionate tap dancer from New Castle, Pennsylvania. She is starting her second year with the company and she could not be more excited! She is currently a freshman at PACE in NYC majoring in arts management. Tori continues her dance education in NYC and she also teaches and choreographs multiple tap groups and solos at her home studio Ludovici School of Dance. Her choreography and performances have both been recognized and awarded at conventions such as Nuvo, NYCDA, Jump, and 24/seven. Outside of her studio training, Tori has had the opportunity to learn from professional tap dancers at various festivals is the past few years. She has loved having the opportunity to perform at these festivals, which include Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project, Orange County Tap Fest, DC Tap Fest, Chicago Tap Summit, and Motor City Tap Fest. Tori is beyond thankful for everything that Torie Gray and the company have provided her with. She has made life long friendships with people inside and outside the company in the past year. Tori is also so appreciative of all the knowledge, encouragement, growth, and performance opportunities that have come from the company. She hopes to become a professional tap dancer herself, and the company has definitely helped her improve immensely to assist her in reaching her goals.