Gerson Lanza

Originally from La Ceiba, Honduras, Gerson first encountered the art form of tap dance after moving to New York City in 2001. He immediately fell in love with the art form after his first exposure. He began his tap dance training under Omar Edwards at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts, located 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 where he performed with Leo Sandoval’s & Gregory Richardson’s Music from the Sole company and headline the Millenium Stage at Kennedy Center with his jazz quartet in Washington D.C..

As a dance educator, Gerson has served as a consultant and presenter for the 92 Street Y newest curriculum “Tracing Footsteps” currently being taught by performing arts educators in New York City. 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.

Lastly, Gerson is now in his second year at the University of Maryland pursuing a Master’s in Fine Arts in Dance and Performance Studies.