TAPLIFE HERO FOUNDATION - A CHAMPION FOR TAP DANCE
Taplife Hero Foundation is a nonprofit organization that produces, creates, and promotes positive, thoughtful, and insightful opportunities for people to experience tap dance. While trying to find opportunities for #Taplife Company to perform, we quickly realized the pain points and challenges that the tap dance community faces. We created Taplife Hero Foundation to help alleviate these struggles.
The Foundation uses charity fundraising, along with grant funding, to help produce its programs, classes, and events (both in-person and remotely). These services provide greater awareness of ways to experience tap dance.
Our mission is to preserve, celebrate, and advance the rich legacy of tap dance as a uniquely American art form, deeply rooted in Black American history and cultural expression. We are committed to cultivating a vibrant community where dancers of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and thrive. Through education, performance, and outreach, we honor the pioneers of tap and amplify the underrepresented voices of today’s tap artists. Our effort empowers the next generation to engage with and contribute to this vital piece of America’s cultural heritage.
We are dedicated to fostering intergenerational connections, promoting health and wellness through tap dance, and providing vital programming that is not otherwise available to the general public. We strive to bring the art of tap dance into places such as schools, senior centers, veterans’ groups, corporate entities, cultural institutions, local organizations, and as many community spaces as possible.
Grants Awarded:
- 4Imprint, One by One, 2025
- Flushing Town Hall, Queens Community Arts Grant, 2025
- NYFA- Queens Arts Fund, Arts Access Grant, 2025
- Flushing Town Hall, Queens Community Arts Grant, 2024
- NYFA- Queens Arts Fund, Arts Access Grant, 2024
- Discretionary Funds Award - business equipment purchase funds. City of New York Mayor's Office of Contract Services - Dec 2021
- Arts Access Grant & Community Arts Grant - awarded to help present National Tap Dance Day Celebration. Queens Council on the Arts - May 2020
- Su-Casa Grant - awarded to teach tap dance (history, steps, footage) in a Senior Center (Rockaway, NY). Queens Council on the Arts - Jan 2020
Make a Donation to Taplife Hero Foundation
Your support & contributions will ensure we can continue to provide opportunities for people to experience tap dance.
Board of Directors
Anthony Lo Cascio - President
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Anthony Lo Cascio, a native New Yorker, made history as the first American to secure a standing role in the renowned 'Tap Dogs' production. For over 15 years, he dazzled audiences and shared his passion for teaching while touring with the show. Anthony has continued to teach across North America and at such prestigious institutions as Broadway Dance Center and nationally recognized conventions Dance Masters of America & Hoctor's Dance Caravan.
As Artistic Director of #Taplife Company, he's produced original shows and music videos while paying it forward to tap dancers and musicians. For 25+ years, he's mentored students and recently expanded accessibility through the #Taplife Remote Mentorship.
Co-founder of Taplife Hero Foundation, Anthony champions tap culture, earning grants for community engagement and programs.
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Stay tuned Big things going on in the background! Updates are coming soon.
Bob Lo Cascio - Board Member
Coming Soon - Vice President/Treasurer
Raleigh Bowker - Board Member
Bob was born & raised in Brooklyn, later moving to Queens, and eventually settling with wife, Nancy, to raise their family in Howard Beach. As a long-time Kiwanis Club Member, he is a former President, Vice President, and Board Member. He also co-owned and operated various transportation and logistics companies until his retirement in 2012. Since his retirement, you can find him tailgating at a NY Jets game, introducing people to and selling solar in both Queens and Long Island, or hanging out with his grandchildren. Bob has been an avid supporter of dance since his own kids started taking dance classes over 40 years ago.
He is pleased to bring his over 50 years of fundraising experience to The Foundation.
Raleigh Bowker - Board Member
Dr Robert Gucciardo - Board Member
Raleigh Bowker - Board Member
Born & raised in NJ, Raleigh's entry into the world of dance started in Long Island when her daughter was 2, which led to becoming a full blown “Dance Mom” AND an administrative assistant at the dance studio. A musician herself with a degree in Music Education, she noticed that the students who were serious about tap dancing (her daughter being one of them) had limited options compared to other genres. This resulted in a search for a supplemental program which united her with #TaplifeToo Pre-Professional Company. During this time, both Raleigh and her daughter made lasting connections with other tap dancers across the Northeast and down to Florida.
This experience with #TaplifeToo was so positive that it led Raleigh to become a board member for Taplife Hero Foundation.
Dr Robert Gucciardo - Board Member
Dr Robert Gucciardo - Board Member
Dr Robert Gucciardo - Board Member
Dr. Rob grew up in Queens, NY and has owned Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center for over 26 years. He is very passionate about health, family, and sports. One of the ways his passion for health is evidenced is in the foreword he wrote in the book, "Food As A Prescription". Dr. Rob is "Dr. Rob" because he watched his brother get quality Chiropractic care growing up. Additionally, one of his greatest sports memories includes being on the NY Mets Fantasy Camp team after having played baseball in both high school and college. Dr. Gucciardo is well-known for helping people feel better through both his Nutritional and Chiropractic care in Queens, NY as well as globally, through his varied mission trips.
We are honored to have him on the Board of Directors for Taplife Hero Foundation!
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