Julie Cartier artistic director of Especially Tap Chicago Dance Company, has performed and choreographed on both the jazz and tap concert stages for over fifteen years with some of Chicago's finest dance companies including River North Dance Co., The Lynda Martha Dance Co., and Chi-Town Jazz Dance, for which she served as associate director.

Her credits also include Especially Tap Chicago's performances in the Kuopio Dance Festival in Finland, the St. Louis Tap Festival, and Chicago's own Human Rhythm Project. In additon to Dance Center Evanston, Julie has taught for Barat College, DEA, NADA, CNADM, Gus Giordano Dance Center, the Cecchetti Council and numerous studios in the Chicagoland area.