Malana Murphy
FOUNDER
“Dance has always been my passion, my first love, and in the beginning there was tap.”
Malana Murphy is the founder and producer of Dallas’ premier tap festival, RIFF Dallas. RIFF’s inaugural year hosted some of America’s top talent in guest artists and has grown into the international success of hosting and celebrating tap dancers from all across the states, Canada, and Mexico while also producing tap concerts, student showcases, and tap history seminars. Malana’s passion for bringing master teachers from around the globe to the Dallas community has provided opportunities for tap lovers to learn, share, and grow, building on the traditions of generations of tap artists.
A new project, The Woodshed Experience was developed in 2017 and launched in 2018. Desiring a unique experience for tap dancers, Malana wanted to create an environment where artists could get away from the everyday distractions of life and focus on their craft. The mentorship aspect brings the project into a whole different dimension where dancers can spend time with their mentor and dive deep into the tap world.
As the tap director at Next Step Dance in Frisco Texas, Malana has had the opportunity to share her love and passion for tap dancing while training and choreographing award winning dancers and tap works. Throughout her teaching career, she has been able to work with thousands of tap dancers locally and throughout the states. Malana has also come full circle with her alma mater, Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she now has developed a tap program that includes the dance as well as the history.
Malana began her training at a very early age and began performing at the age of 7. Her first professional debut came at the age of 14 while performing in a production choreographed by Gracie Tune, sister of award winning Tommy Tune. As a teenager, Malana was accepted into the dance program at Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she received extensive training in ballet and modern. She graduated with honors and became a soloist for their performing company during her senior year. Malana has performed for numerous companies including American Airlines, Redken, Mary Kay, and Frito Lay, and has performed with Fabian, The Monkeys, and Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels.
Malana believes strongly in equipping and mentoring the next generation of tap dancers and is known to be a strong advocate for all students. Her desire to preserve and honor the traditions and masters of the past is always foremost in her mind and heart.
Infusing the world with rhythm…one tap dancer at a time.
The Team
The Mentors…
Derick K Grant
MENTOR
Derick has been with Woodshed since our first year in 2018. His approach to the mentorship role has become a template for all other mentors. We are honored to welcome him back for 2024! Derick will present his new Professional Development Program with 3 unique focuses:
Producing a Professional Show
Educational/Academic Development
Creating a Performing Tap Company
Lisa LaTouche
mentor
We are happy to have Lisa with us once again this year. Her unique experience as a tap dancer from Canada and living and working in New York provides a perspective different from most tap dancers today. She will share her experiences of dancing with professional companies, working on Broadway, and producing her own works.
