The Tap rebels
THE COMPANY
Founded in 2018 by Vanessa Zabari, The Tap Rebels is a professional dance company exclusively focusing on the discipline of Tap. Its mission is to create, to present, to preserve and to extend the electrifying art of tap dancing, through exciting performances and educational programming of the highest quality, presented to the widest possible audience.
The Tap Rebels, Atlanta’s only professional tap company, has a clear mission of “bringing tap back”. To tap dancers, tap never left, but often forgotten about in the dance community. The company believes in keeping tap alive through performance, education, and innovation. The Tap Rebels’ mission is to inspire tap dancers by traveling around the world by teaching and performing tap.
THE DIRECTORS
Vanessa Zabari - Owner & Director
Vanessa Zabari (Chisolm), a native Ohioan, began her training at the famed Pinnell Dance Center under the direction of Jeri Pinnell when she was 5 years old. Known throughout the world as a highly competitive competition studio, Vanessa was trained in every other genre of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop.
Desiring to continue her dance career, Ms. Zabari attended and graduated from the internationally recognized University of Akron school of dance with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Immediately after obtaining her degree, she relocated to Atlanta, where she has taught tap dance to hundreds of thousands of kids. Having grown up in the competitive dance world, Vanessa has developed a reputation as one of the country’s most creative and successful competition choreographers around. Competitive dance studios seek her out every spring to create competitive pieces for their upcoming seasons. Her pieces have won hundreds of awards around the country. Her students have been featured in commercials, appeared on “Showtime at The Apollo” with Steve Harvey and gone on to work with the famed Debbie Allen.
Ms. Zabari has consulted, taught, and choreographed for some of the biggest names in entertainment. Her most recent work includes the FX on Hulu breakout mini-series, Mrs. America where she teaches Gloria Steinem’s character played by Rose Byrne how to tap dance. She was also the choreographer for HBO’s DC Universe, Doom Patrol Season 3.
As the Founder and Executive Director of The Tap Rebels, Ms. Zabari oversees and directs the organizational and operational management of the Company. Vanessa resides in Atlanta with her two children Zuri & Jahbari.
Mary Beth Stinson - Artistic Director
Mary Beth Stinson is a professional dancer, choreographer, and director originally from Kennesaw, GA. Growing up, she danced with Great Gig dance company before studying at the University of Georgia. Classically trained in all genres of dance; tap is her favorite.
Throughout middle and high school, Mary Beth had training from many well-known tap dancers that shaped and mentored her into the dancer she is today. A highly sought-after competitive tap dancer, Mary Beth was invited to attend the prestigious tap workshop, Tap Kids in New York City. She also won numerous scholarships to attend workshops and intensives such as Slide with legendary tappers, Mike Minery and Anthony Morigerato at the prestigious Roseland Theatre.
Desiring to expand her love of dance, Ms. Stinson went on to further study dance at the University of Georgia, where she earned a BFA in Dance as well as a teaching certification for K-12. Mary Beth teaches many genres of dance to children and adults of all ages throughout Georgia. Mary Beth is in her fourth year as Dance Director at Archer High School, where she teaches dance to approximately 150 students every day. As Artistic Director of the Tap Rebels, Mary Beth oversees all aspects of the company’s artistic productions. She continues to perform professionally throughout the Greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
Learn More
Website: thetaprebels.com
Instagram: @thetaprebels
Facebook: @thetaprebels