Carl Schlesinger began tap dancing in 1978 at age 52. Enamored with the art form, he studied in New York with Brenda Buffalino and Barbara Duffy. He also studied tap history and involved himself with many organizations and events saluting tap. This devotion to dance is what led Oklahoma City University to present him with the 2001 Preservation of our Heritage - American Dance Award in March 2001. He is co-chairman of the New York Committee to Celebrate National Tap Dance Day, stating that "New York is the logical place to honor the aging living tap dance legends with a tap community award for their lifetime achievement as performers and role models to younger generations." Thus far, Mr. Schlesinger, along with Mr. Heyward and the rest of the committee, have produced eleven Tap Extravaganza gala shows, and 27 tap dance legends have been presented with the prestigious Flo-Bert Award.