Lane Alexander

Lane Alexander, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s co-founder and director for 25 years, has performed, Lane Alexander, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s co-founder and director for 25 years, has performed, choreographed, taught and advocated for American tap and percussive dance for more than 40 years. He has performed Morton Gould’s Tap Dance Concerto with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The London Philharmonic at the Royal Festival Hall, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra at the Pritzer Pavilion and the Little Orchestra Society at Lincoln Center among many others. Lane co-directed the Emmy nominated PBS documentary JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance, curated the first full-length tap concert on a main stage at the Kennedy Center and led more than 80 American tap dancers to China to represent the United States at the 5th Annual Beijing International Dance Festival. Lane has been a driving force behind the development of a new, collaborative dance/arts space in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building – the American Rhythm Center.

Lane received a National Endowment for the Arts’ American Masterpieces grant through the Illinois Arts Council, two Ruth Page Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Field and Solo Performance, two Illinois Arts Council Choreography Fellowships and has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as “Chicagoan of the Year” and three times in Chicago’s New City as one of the city’s 50 Players. Lane was honored to serve on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s transition team for arts and cultural policy. Lane continues to teach, choreograph and perform around the world and has served on many dance faculties including the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Gus Giordano Dance Studio, Northwestern University, Columbia College and at Jacob’s Pillow. Lane currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy and Chairman of the Board of the International Tap Association.

Lane taught and advocated for American tap and percussive dance for more than 40 years. He has performed Morton Gould’s Tap Dance Concerto with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The London Philharmonic at the Royal Festival Hall, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra at the Pritzer Pavilion and the Little Orchestra Society at Lincoln Center among many others. Lane co-directed the Emmy nominated PBS documentary JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance, curated the first full-length tap concert on a main stage at the Kennedy Center and led more than 80 American tap dancers to China to represent the United States at the 5th Annual Beijing International Dance Festival. Lane has been a driving force behind the development of a new, collaborative dance/arts space in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building – the American Rhythm Center.

Lane received a National Endowment for the Arts’ American Masterpieces grant through the Illinois Arts Council, two Ruth Page Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Field and Solo Performance, two Illinois Arts Council Choreography Fellowships and has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as “Chicagoan of the Year” and three times in Chicago’s New City as one of the city’s 50 Players. Lane was honored to serve on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s transition team for arts and cultural policy. Lane continues to teach, choreograph and perform around the world and has served on many dance faculties including the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Gus Giordano Dance Studio, Northwestern University, Columbia College and at Jacob’s Pillow. Lane currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy and Chairman of the Board of the International Tap Association.

Alexander performing at the Zurich Tap Festival 2014