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= Jared Grimes =

Jared Grimes (June 26, 1983 ) is a multi-talented tap dancer, actor, singer, and choreographer. He has been especially influential in dance, having been described as "a young and vibrant additive in the world of the arts where he is heavily making his mark in Tap and Hip-Hop/Street Jazz," “tap dance extraordinaire,” and as a "rhythm-tap and hip-hop-influenced dancer who has influenced the next-generation of tap dancers."

Grimes began tapping at an extremely early age with encouragement from his family. According to Constance Valis Hill’s biography of Grimes, “His mother ran a dance school and bought him his first pair of tap shoes when he was three.” Grimes’ interest in tap continued as he drew inspiration from movies featuring the tap of Gregory Hines and Fred Astaire, and from seeing the Broadway show Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk. Grimes has also listed Sammy Davis Jr. as an inspiration. While born in Queens, New York, Grimes and his family moved to North Carolina when Grimes was still young. In North Carolina Grimes would continue studying and begin to competitively perform tap and other forms of dance with Sheryl Patton of Greensboro’s Dance Connections and then with Gene Medler of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble.

Grimes began touring nationally and internationally as a dancer, working with renowned artists. In 2001 Grimes moved back to New York City, enrolling at Marymount Manhattan College as a communications major while continuing to focus on dance. Grimes has performed and participated in many high-profile works, with top artists including Wynton Marsalis, Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Jerry Lewis, Fayard Nicholas, Mariah Carey, Common, Salt-n-Pepa, Envogue, Busta Rhymes, and the Roots. Grimes has performed in numerous musicals, including: “A Soldier’s Play on Broadway,” “The Radio City Spring Spectacular,” “After Midnight on Broadway,” “Twist,” “Babes in Arms,” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” On January 19th, 2009, Jared Grimes performed for Barack Obama with Wynton Marsalis at the Kennedy Center.

Grimes is also an acclaimed choreographer, choreographing “After Midnight on Broadway,” and associate choreographing “Holler If You Hear Me.” He has won several best choreography awards, including a Hellen Hayes Award, a Jeff Award, and a Barrymore Award. At 24, Grimes was the youngest person to choreograph an entire of show of Crique du Soleil by themselves.

As an actor, Grimes has performed in multiple movies and in television shows with NBC, HBO, and Fox.

In 2013, Grimes started making music with his band The Jared Grimes Feel.