Eileen Carson-Schatz directs Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. She has dedicated her life to studying, choreographing and presenting many forms of traditional dance.

Eileen has dedicated her life to sharing the power and joy of traditional percussive dance with people throughout the U.S. and abroad.  One of the founders of The Fiddle Puppet Dancers in 1979, Eileen Carson is a pioneer in bringing American percussive dance to the general public.  For over 25 years, she has fulfilled many roles, including Artistic Director, performing artist, choreographer, vocalist, dance teacher and arts advocate.

The Fiddle Puppets, directed by Eileen, were honored by the Smithsonian in 1994, chosen to be one of eight groups representing American culture on the first living exhibit to Japan.  The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Eileen a two-year Choreography Fellowship for 1994-1996. The Maryland State Arts Council recognized her in 1997 with an Individual Artist Award for Choreography.  Maryland First Lady Frances Hughes Glendening presented Eileen with a Celebration of the Arts in Maryland Award for 1997-1998.  Young Audiences of Maryland honored Eileen in 2000 in recognition of over 20 years of service performing in schools.  For 2001-2002, Eileen received the Annie Award for Performing Artist by the Cultural Arts Foundation of Anne Arundel County.  With Footworks, she has performed at folk music festivals for audiences in the thousands, and in sold-out concert halls, as well as for children in schools. A spirited and inspiring teacher, Eileen has taught hundreds of workshops and residencies at schools, universities, and traditional-arts camps throughout the US and abroad for the general public of all ages and abilities, as well as master classes for trained dancers. Eileen is committed to Arts-in-Education and working with youth, having a special and unique rapport with young people.