Tap Dancer Rio Gomez Is Ready to Share Her Talents

Eighteen-year-old tap dancer Rio Gomez used to shy away from the spotlight, but the spotlight keeps shining on her and her skills. When the Fullerton, California–native was younger, she didn’t always believe in herself. “My teachers brought me up, when I didn’t have much confidence in my dancing,” she says. Since then, Gomez has taken big strides: She won a 2026 YoungArts Award and, in May, was named Artist of the Year for Dance by the Orange County Register.

At age 13, Gomez focused her dance training on tap and joined the Southern California–based Reverb Tap Company, directed by Leah Silva. Gomez also began exploring choreography in tap and other genres, as well as mentoring Reverb’s younger dancers.

Now the high school senior is preparing to attend UCLA, where she will major in business economics and, of course, continue dancing. Dance Spirit spoke with Gomez about her greatest inspirations, future goals, and the advice she’d give her younger self.

What drew you to tap as a genre of dance?

I was drawn to how it combines music and dancing, because I really love music. I also think it’s really rewarding when you get a step. When you hear yourself get it for the first time, there’s this rush of excitement that can’t be replicated.

Who have been your most influential teachers?

Leah Silva, Reverb’s director, has instilled in me not just the technique but the history of tap dancing, and to respect the history. She’s given me so many opportunities to attend festivals and have spots in showcases. I have a hard time putting myself out there sometimes, and she helped me do that.

When I was a freshman in high school, I auditioned for the lower level of my school’s dance program. My teacher, Andrea Oberlander, told me to audition for the higher level. Later, once I realized what I really want to do is choreograph, I emailed her and asked if I could help choreograph our school musical, and she said yes. It wasn’t a real position until I asked for it.

What do you think choreographing on your peers has taught you about teaching?

It’s taught me a lot about commanding a room. We’re the same age, and they’re my friends outside of class, so I have to put on a different persona as a teacher. (Especially when I was a freshman teaching upperclassmen.) Stepping into that role left me with more confidence and with the ability to hold myself with presence in a room. Also being able to shift on the fly.

How would you describe your signature style?

Very flowy movements. I started my training with ballet, and it comes naturally to me to have a more lifted and airy texture. A lot of people associate tap dance with heavy footwork, but I prefer light skating across the floor and crawls, and higher-pitched noises.

Going heavy is something I struggle with more, even though I wear J Sams [by Jason Samuels Smith], which are known to be pretty heavy shoes. I also struggle with improvisation. I’m not a super-go-with-the-flow person, and, as a perfectionist, it’s hard when you aren’t always going to do a step exactly how you envisioned it. You have to be able to pivot.

What have been some highlights of your dance journey so far?

Getting into Reverb was a real highlight for me. It was coming out of COVID, and I was in an in-between phase where I wasn’t really sure what I was doing with dance. It became a complete fresh start for me.

Being a YoungArts honoree has also been exciting. I auditioned for so many scholarships last year and barely got past the first round. This year, when I actually won, Caleb Teicher commented on my Instagram post, and it was so exciting to have that type of recognition.

What would you tell your younger self?

I would tell her to do all the things she thinks about doing, and to not worry about whether she’s good enough to do them. I think at times I’ve held myself back because I haven’t felt like I’m ready, but you’re never going to feel totally ready. I would also encourage myself to talk to people in the industry, because they’re cool people and you never know what may come of it.

What are some of your future goals?

I want to choreograph. That’s my main passion. I’ve mostly done concert dance, but I’m excited about the possibility of film and commercial dance.

I’m currently part of Leo Manzari’s Kick in the Door, and it’s been so fun to perform as part of a tap ensemble with a music artist. I definitely want to do more collaborations with musical artists. There is something so special about live music and working with a band.

Why did you decide to major in business economics?

I framed my entire application around dance being a business. You have to market yourself, and understand the business aspect of the entertainment industry. But I definitely want to keep dance in my life and continue dancing professionally.