Kaelyn Gray has been a teacher for 15 years, both at her home school near Cincinnati, Ohio, and traveling across the United States and Canada as a guest artist and instructor. Focusing on all styles of dance, she is a sought-after teacher and adjudicator who loves to bring her unique teaching style to kids all over the country.

​

Her professional career began at age 18 as a featured performer in Cedar Pointe’s groundbreaking tap/drum show Krash Boom Bang!, a first for theme parks. Soon after, she was the youngest choreographer/creative director for Paramount’s Kings Island and King’s Dominion, creating a show named Pulse which toured for over three years.

​

Between teaching and starting a family, Gray auditioned on a whim for Season 3 of SYTYCD and landed in the top 24 females in Las Vegas. Upon returning, doors began opening and her career as a guest teacher/adjudicator began. She is now on faculty for Dance Educators of America, American Dance Awards, and adjudicates for Star Systems.

​

In 2009, she had a chance meeting with Christopher Erk, an original Tap Dog, who decided to take her under his wing and accept her into his new company Tap Factor, located in Dayton, Ohio. Under Chris’s direction and vigorous training, a newly inspired tap dancer emerged and blossomed. From there, Kaelyn has never looked back!

​

In 2011, Kaelyn and her partner, NYC hoofer Parker Hall, founded ProtoTap, a tap company focused on expanding, progressing, and preserving the art form. Through community outreach, classes and workshops, they strive to provide quality education to kids and seasoned tappers all over the country. Now, ProtoTap is thrilled to have 15 junior members that train alongside them.

In the summer of 2013, Gray was asked to be a guest instructor for LA Tap Experience, held in Los Angeles. Under the direction of mentor Gregg Russell, whom Gray has assisted in the past, she had the privilege of teaching alongside Maud Arnold, Sarah Reich, Angela Carter, Ryan Lohoff, and Gregg himself. The week ended with a show at LA Theatre, featuring Tap Sounds Underground, the widely successful tap company founded by Gregg Russell.

​

In Fall 2014, Gray became a new faculty member of Tap the Map, a traveling tap workshop started by Danny Wallace and Anthony Russo, joining other artists such as Jumanne Taylor, Christopher Erk, Lisa LaTouche, and Jason Luks.

​

Gray’s students have gone on to college dance programs, film and television, cruise ships, and major theme parks. In 2010, her tap student was awarded a Silver Medal in the Young Arts program, one of the most highly accredited programs in existence for artistic students in high school. Gray has been a recipient of numerous nationally-recognized choreography awards and high score awards, and many students achieved titles under her direction.

​

In summer of 2014, Tap Dance Tutorials was born. After years of the universe whispering, Gray decided it was the right time to launch her first series of unique classwork and material and make it available to tappers and teachers all over the world. Within two weeks and after thousands of downloads, she knew she had found a wonderful way to share her passion!

​

Currently, Gray is teaching at her home school, traveling the country as a sought-after choreographer and teacher, directing ProtoTap, and focusing on #bringingtaptothepeople through Tap Dance Tutorials!