Meet The chaps
Ollie Botterill
Ollie has been dancing since the age of 2, having a passion for dance he went to train at LCPA (Leicester College of Performing Arts). He graduated with a Trinity National Diploma in Musical Theatre and 3 BTDA Diplomas. Ollie began his professional career dancing for Carnival Cruises, he has then been fortunate to perform in many different shows touring the world such as, ‘Tap Factory’ (UK, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Europe and China Tour), ‘Spirit Of The Dance’ (Lead Tap Dancer, Worldwide), ‘Tap Dance Fever’ (UK, South Africa and Canada), ‘Dora’ (West End), ‘Hollywood Spectacular’ (UK), to name a few. He has also danced in several trade shows across the UK from Bridal shows to printwear plus appearing in a few television adverts.
It was on ‘Tap Dance Fever’ where he first met Jay. Ollie had found a new passion for choreographing and so asked Jay if he would like to form a tap duo for the corporate market. They went on to perform at many corporate events around the UK as well as appearing as a guest act in ‘Spirit Of The Dance’ (Windsor). In 2014, Ollie was asked to choreograph and appear in ‘Simply Gershwin’ which toured the UK.
Having enjoyed the theatre and corporate market Ollie wanted to get a tap dancing act on to cruises as he had never seen one whilst working onboard. So with Jo joining them The Tap Chaps was created.
Whilst Ollie isn’t away performing he teaches at several colleges and also guest workshops across the UK. He is also on the faculty for Tap Attack teaching mainly the North and Midland associates. In 2018, Ollie became an IDO Adjudicator for the UK. He now represents the UK in the prestigious IDO World Tap Championships.
Jo Mcshane
Jo is originally from Liverpool and trained in Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts.
Before joining The Tap Chaps, Jo's career has mainly been performing in musicals around the UK, touring Europe and performing in London's West End. She has performed in shows such as Blood Brothers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cats, Sister Act, Singing' In The Rain, Legally Blonde, South Pacific, Chess, Chicago and Grease.
She is also currently working as a Choreographer and has been nominated 3 times for and Off West End Award for her choreography. She has recently choreographed Top Hat the musical for Cunard, aboard the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ships.
Other choreography work includes a promotional video for Bohemian Rhapsody the film, Salad Days the musical, UK Tour, Soho Cinders and Bad Girls the musical both at The Union Theatre, A Christmas Carol, Blackpool Winter Gardens and Two Gentleman of Verona working alongside Sir Trevor Nunn.
She loves being part of The Tap Chaps and travelling the world with her friends. From the music bars of New Orleans to seeing the whales in Antarctica, she cannot wait to see what other amazing places life with The Tap Chaps may lead her to.
Jay Hardy
Jay originally from Leicester and trained in dance and Musical Theatre at Bird college.
Before creating The Tap Chaps, Jay has performed, choreographed and taught Tap professionally for over 15 years.
In 2010 Jay was the lead tapper in the UK, Canada and South Africa tours of Tap Dance Fever. This is also where Jay and Ollie worked together for the first time.
Jay is also a musician and singer songwriter and has performed at music venues and festivals around the UK.
Jay's deep love of music and rhythm is the reason he has mainly worked and focused on the rhythm Tap style.