Deep Conversation of Dance and Music, with Pianist James Fernando and Tap Dancer Gerson Lanza

Friday, July 5, at 7:30pm. Hailed as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” James Fernando connects with Gerson Lanza, a captivating tap dancer whose work has been featured in the New York Times. These two artists pull from jazz and other traditions to create an exciting evening where dance and music are in deep conversation. James Fernando creates music that lies at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music. He relies on his genre-expanding original compositions to deliver thought provoking and exciting performances on some of the world’s most renowned stages. The Berklee College of Music graduate has five albums to his name and has collaborated with award winning artists internationally. James is on faculty at Levine Music in Washington, D.C. and has served as a Strathmore Artist in Residence. Gerson Lanza, originally from La Ceiba, Honduras, first encountered the art form of tap dance after moving to New York City in 2001. He began tap dance training at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts in the heart of New York's Harlem neighborhood. After nearly two decades of a fruitful career as an educator, performer, and choreographer, Gerson continues to find new ground. He recently has been chosen as one of six Strathmore Artists in Residence, featured in Jacob's Pillow 2022 Summer Festival and the Guggenheim Work and Progress Series, Fall For Dance Festiva 2022, Vail Dance Festival 2023, where he performed with Leo Sandoval's & Gregory Richardson's Music from the Sole company. Gerson headlined the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center with his jazz quartet in Washington D.C. and was most recently reviewed by the New York Times for work he presented at the New York City Center, Artist at the Center, curated by Ayodele Casel. In addition to his commitment to his professional career as a dancer, Gerson's scholarly research is based on the African diaspora and its connection to Latin America, using tap dance as the throughline to build community and awareness. Gerson is currently in his last year at the University of Maryland, pursuing a Master's in Fine Arts in Dance and Performance Studies. $25. For tickets visit www.cultural-center.org or call 508-394-7100. Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth.