American Tap Dance Foundation

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) is a non-profit organization committed to establishing and legitimizing Tap Dance as a vital component of American Dance through creation, presentation, education and preservation. AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION, INC. Formerly the American Tap Dance Orchestra, ATDF was founded in 1986 by master tap dancers Brenda Bufalino, Tony Waag, and the late Charles ‘Honi’ Coles. From 1986 through the Orchestra performed in hundreds of concert, stage, and film projects and thrilled audiences around the world. From 1989 to 1995, the company also operated Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center in New York City, and presented year-round programming of performances, workshops, daily classes for adults and children, tap jams, lectures, and film presentations. In 2002, with a new generation of tap dancers and enthusiasts, the Orchestra was renamed, and under the direction of Tony Waag, renewed its vision of establishing the first-ever Center for Tap- an international home for dancers, based in New York City.