The Vancouver Tap Dance Society Staff

Vancouver Tap Dance Society Staff

Sas (Sandra) Selfjord, Executive Director

Sas began the first phase of her career in the investment industry that began with mutual fund financial management to the hectic and demanding task as head stock trader for several leading brokerage firms. In the early 80’s as consultant and educator she developed and delivered seminars designed to empower women with financial and stock market knowledge in the successful “Women and Investing” courses.

Armed with financial background, Sas entered the non profit arena with BC largest non government social service agency becoming engaged in board development, volunteer support, program delivery, and risk management and governance best practices. The non profit sector matched Sas values and she continued her studies completing a degree in Non Profit Management at Simon Fraser University.

As long as she can remember, Sas has loved tap dance and through her passion for tap dance her knowledge and awareness of the art form evolved.  At 39 she decided it was time to take some tap lessons!  Thus began the tap journey; she co founded the Vancouver Tap Dance Society in 1995 and in 1999 assumed the role of Executive Director. Under her leadership the organization received charitable status and now receives funding from all 3 levels of government. VTDS’s mandate includes the annual Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, a newly formed professional tap dance company, a youth performance ensemble, “TapCo”, which has entertained over 150,000 with the wildly successful “Just in Time”, touring  with BC premiere artists in education program “ArtStarts”.  VTDS reaches out to the community by packing up bins of used tap shoes teaching the tap rudiments to novice tap dancers. The engine of the Society is the Tap Academy that attracts over 200 each year to further their tap studies providing a comprehensive program for all ages and skill levels. The academy’s tap program is known for its technical prowess and innovative choreography.  VTDS provides a friendly wood space to the tap community for creative and rehearsal pursuits; access to masters of tap through workshops and the Academy’s Artist in Residence program. VTDS is recognized as an innovator leader in the promotion of tap dance and is dedicated to developing awareness of the art form.

As an advocate for the arts Sas has been dedicated to individuals and organizations in the development of processes that strengthen community arts development.  Her life is richer because of tap dance and she values the relationships within the tap community.

Anna Kramer, Manager