Credit: Stephanie Vadala
Lisa swenton-eppard
Founder and Director
Raised in her mother's dance studio, Lisa Swenton-Eppard has spent a lifetime in the arts. In addition to founding and directing Capitol Tap, District Tap, and Monumental Tap, Lisa is currently programming director for Knock On Wood Tap Studio and on faculty at Studio Dans, Elite Dance Studio, and the City of Rockville (MD). She was quoted in Dance Magazine (December 2018), Dance Studio Life magazine (December 2015), featured in Dance Teacher Magazine (May 2015), selected as the "Teacher in the Spotlight" for Dance Studio Life magazine (March/April 2013), and a recipient of Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County grants (2007, 2009, 2020, 2022, 2023). With over 30 years teaching experience, Lisa additionally produces events, including being tapped by the Kennedy Center in 2017 for a special program connected to their annual Honors.
Lisa's credits include adjunct professor at Bowie State University (2013-2021), DC TapFest faculty (2013-2020), Maryland Council For Dance instructor and adjudicator (2016-2019), assistant director of Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble (2002-2010), Chloe and Maud Productions Summer Tap Boot Camp faculty (2010), BlackRock Center for the Arts faculty (2002-2009), and Step Aside Tap Company member (2001-2006).
Lisa holds a B.S. in Psychology from Frostburg State University.
Lisa Swenton-Eppard is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Credit: Enoch Chan
baakari wilder
Assistant Artistic Director
Baakari Wilder is internationally known for starring in the Broadway musical Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk. He received a Bessie Award for his performance, and later assumed the lead role for a year. He has also received the Pola Nirenska Award for achievement in dance. Baakari's dancing has delighted audiences around the world in places such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, France, Africa, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Russia. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from the University of Maryland at College Park. His projects include producing, directing, and starring in “Reform Live”, and producing several years of Metro Tap Roots, both of which premiered at Dance Place in Washington, DC.
Credit: Mena Brunette
susan kilbourne
Technical Director
Susan Kilbourne is a stage manager and light designer specializing in dance. She has been Percussions Discussion's technical director since its inception in 2010. Prior to that, she served for 10 years in the same capacity for Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble. Most recently, in addition to Capitol Tap and District Tap, she has worked with The Washington Ballet, Chamber Dance Project, Ballet Hawaii, the Kennedy Center Department of Dance, and several individual tap artists, including Baakari Wilder and Hillary-Marie. Susan is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and is active in the Stage Managers’ Association, serving as the chair of the Financial Oversight Committee and on the Council for Equity and Advocacy. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Knock On Wood Tap Studio in Washington, DC. In addition, Susan is a child advocacy consultant. She holds an MA in Political Management from George Washington University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center, and has been a senior consultant for the Partnership for America’s Children since 2015.
Credit: Stephanie Vadala
katharine manor
Rehearsal Assistant
Katharine Manor was raised at Knock On Wood Tap Studio under the watchful eye of Ms. Yvonne Edwards since age 4. She spent many years in Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble before transitioning to Capitol Tap, and currently District Tap. In addition to a degree from Davis and Elkins College and a CNA certification, Katharine has a list of performance credits, including Carnegie Hall, the American Dance Festival College Association, Black Theatre Network Conference, APAP Conference in NYC, and touring with the Davis and Elkins College Appalachian Ensemble. Katharine's footwork is included on an album by Kaia Kater, with whom she toured.
Credit: Jim Evans
max heimowitz
sam heimowitz
Repertoire Historians
Max Heimowitz and Sam Heimowitz, founding members of Capitol Tap, are known for their duo performances along the East Coast as The Heimowitz Brothers. Cast in Maurice Hine's Tappin' Thru Life at age 12, Max and Sam have since developed into educators as Knock On Wood Tap Studio faculty, and choreographers with their work featured in Capitol Tap's repertoire and presented in NYC. While students at Yale University, they led the school's tap organization, Taps at Yale, as well as participated in several various arts groups. While Max and Sam continue their academic paths, they also teach and choreograph around the world.
Original logo designs by Dave Klett in collaboration with Lisa Swenton-Eppard.
Anniversary logo design by Cate Yates, graphic designer at SDYM, Inc.,
a Baltimore design firm she and her partners started in 1978.
