Edward Mendes, III a.k.a. Rocky Mendes, an up and coming young tap dancer who has graced the stages on the east coast from Boston to New York.  His formal training began at Whitman Academy of Performing Arts under the tutelage of Kathy Reed.  This led him to perform and train with legendary tappers such as Savion Glover, Diane Walker, and the late Gregory Hines, Van the Man Porter, Sarah Patronio, and the legendary Dr. Jimmy Slyde.  Mendes and Dr. Slyde have also performed at the Senior Center in Hanson, MA and did a master apprenticeship through the Massachusetts Culture Counsel.  He also performed in Lexington, MA in Tapestry, with great honor, supporting Dr. Slyde where he received his Tapestry award, in addition to attending The Harlem Renaissance at Northeastern University.

 Mendes has been involved with Winter Fest, which is a yearly community activity in the town of Whitman.  In Boston he has performed with the Bob Moses Ensemble at New England Conservatory.  Mendes does not limit himself just to dance; he has recently incorporated acting into his repertoire by performing in local theater venues.  He has performed in:  Rhythm of Love, and Dramatic Shoutouts, directed by Jacqui Parker, and Raisin, directed by Akiba Abaka.  Mendes has performed with Kahlid Hill and Wyatt Jackson at the opening of the Landmark Center in Boston and also at the renowned Jacob’s Pillow.  Mendes has also been present at the Finger Lakes Tap Dance festival in Ithaca, NY.  As of late, he has performed professionally at Florida State’s, Seven Days of Opening Nights, and in Boston at the DFT’s salute to Black Warriors.  On his travels thru Massachusetts he makes a wonderful stop in at Williams Collage.  He is always looking to enhance his tapping skills and that has led him to become a protégé of Dr. Slyde.