ryan johnson
Ryan “Tap Kidd” Johnson began dancing at a very tender age under the direction of his mother Vanessa Jackson Johnson at Turning Out Performing Arts Center, where he studied jazz, tap, and hip hop. Later, he danced with Mary Slater in the Annapolis area, and became one of the best in Baltimore. At 14, Ryan began performing with the late Gregory Hines, Marvin Hamlish, Mary Slater, Donnie McClurkin, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band. Ryan has studied and performed with cast members of Broadway’s “Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk,” Kelly Isaacs, Baakari Wilder, George Patterson, and Savion Glover. In the past year, he has had the opportunity to study with Tony Award winning tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith and Debbie Allen in Los Angeles, California in addition to Fayord Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers, Dick Van Dyke, Dianne “Lady DI” Walker, and Ernest “Brownie” Brown. He has participated in Tap City under the direction of Buster Brown, LaVaughn Robinson, Brenda Bufalino, and Barbara Duffy. He has also performed in at Artscape, Arena Players, the Eubie Blake Art Center, Maryland Hall, The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Cahill Performing Arts and Enrichment Center, and Bermuda National Sports Center as well as touring the US with Footworks Percussive Dance Company.
