JUSTIN BALLASY

Justin Ballasy began his tap journey at age 4, performing alongside tap legend Harold “Stumpy” Cromer by age 8 at NYC’s Swing 46. Immersed in the culture and history of tap from a young age, he trained extensively for over a decade with acclaimed artists, including his mentor Omar Edwards and Karen Callaway Williams. By age 12, Justin was already performing with jazz, funk, and rock bands across the East Coast, developing a deep-rooted love for musicality and the art of improvisation.

Now with over 25 years of experience, Justin is a passionate educator and performer dedicated to honoring the legacy of the artists who shaped the art form, while pushing its creative boundaries. His teaching goes beyond technique, he emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of the art form, self-expression through rhythm, and the power of improvisation as a tool for artistic and personal growth.

Justin currently serves as the Artistic Director of TTap, an apprentice ensemble he co-founded with Jill Fitzgerald. The program focuses on cultivating strong foundational technique, improvisation, and performance excellence, rooted in historical knowledge. He is also a member of Tap Team Two (Philadelphia), a former member of Tap City Youth Ensemble (NYC), NJTAP2, and a long-time collaborator with Tap Ties (Lehigh Valley). In addition to his work in tap, Justin teaches Somatic Movement in wellness centers and inpatient facilities, helping individuals recovering from addiction and traumatic brain injuries to reconnect with their bodies through mindful movement—an approach that reflects his belief in the mind-body connection as a key to healing.

A graduate of Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in Dance Education, Performance, and Choreography, Justin also trained in theater and acting, and has performed in numerous regional productions.

His accolades include being a National YoungArts Award Winner for Dance in 2014 and Finalist in 2013, an Apollo Theater Star of Tomorrow finalist, Philadelphia Tap Challenge Idol title holder, and a Las Vegas finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Season 12, Team Street. His other television credits include Nickelodeon’s ME-TV, MTV MADE, and America’s Got Talent. He’s also been featured in performances with Max Weinberg at Glenn Burtnick’s Annual Xmas Extravaganza in Asbury Park, NJ, and voted Most Talented Person in Bucks County, PA. Justin has performed at iconic venues such as Count Basie Theater, Duke Theater, Symphony Space, Zoellner Arts Center, and the Philadelphia Arts Bank Theater, as well as at jazz clubs throughout NYC, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.