Yukiko "smilie" Misumi

Yukiko "smilie" Misumi Tap dancer, choreographer, teacher and Director of Artistic Rhythm Tap Network. ITA (International Tap Association) Japan Representative She tap dances like a fairy, yet her sharp rhythm and percussive tone creates her own "Misumi World". She studied in NY under the great tap master -Henry Le Tang in 1980's and he named her "smilie". And late1980's she studied rhythm tap under Brenda Bafalino. Later she has studied with many great tap master. Especialy she has been affected by Dr.Jimmy Slyde and Dianne Walker. Smilie operated Artisitic Rhythm Tap Network through dance studios of Chacott. And she opened own studio named ARTN Tap Dance Studio in central Tokyo in 2001. She is one of leader of Japanese tap community. She also promotes international cultural exchange through tap dancing..

In Japan, she was a soloist of Jam Tap Dance Company (Kuniyasu Kato /Founder and artistic director) where she was a dance captain, choreographer and assistant to stage director. In 1993, 1996, 2004 and 2006, she co-starred with Dr. Jimmy Slyde at the company's performance. 1997 she left the company and started Solo activity. In 1999, she started "African Rhythm Tap Series" She perform at November Eleventh which is a live-bistro owned by Ryudo Uzaki and Yoko Agi (both well-known artist in Japan), Sweet basil139 ,American Club, Theater Apple and more. In the year of 2000, she made her first appearance at NATIONAL TAP DAY in Japan. And she appared at St.Louis Tap Festival as one of the representative member from Japan. 2001 she participated in St.Louis Tap Festival again, and 2002, 2003, 2004, in NY Tap Festival. 2003, 2004, she performed 　 Brenda's work at Duke42nd St. She performed and taught in Taiwan, Hong Kong and US in 2005.2006.2007. She performed and teach in Chicago Tap Festival and Hawaii Tap Festival in 2006.2007. She performed and teach in Chicago Tap Festival,Barcelona Tap Festival and Reus Tap Festival 2008.