Vancouver Tap Dance News

Olympic Experience "Golden" For Canadian Tap Dancers

February 25, 2010

More than their feet were on fire, say the 26 elite Canadian tap dancers who performed for billions of people worldwide in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, February 12th.

But that was just the beginning - the flames, spirit and pride continue to burn.

"Above all, it was an historic human celebration," recalls Mika Komatsu, a professional tap dancer and teacher. "We were privileged to have been chosen for the massive team and faced physical and artistic challenges, right down to unique pyrotechnic shoes. But the actual performance was icing on the cake compared to experiencing the scale and dynamics of the event and the huge number of highly dedicated people behind the scenes."

As artistic director of the popular youth troupe TapCo, Komatsu also took part in several live performances at Robson Square. The unprecedented audiences and responses, she also describes as "spiritual," transcending Zamboni glitches and medal counts.

For the nation's top tap dancers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was much like those of athletes: years of training and sweat led up to being selected to a team representing their country and lives were put on hold to prepare for a few intense moments in which they fed off each other and the roar of the crowds.

The diverse group from across the country established bonds with others who share their passion and the hope that some in the audience would want more. 

"Auditions were held when Canada's top tap dancers were in Vancouver for the first-ever national conference late last year," reports Sas Selfjord, executive director of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society and producer of Vancouver International Tap Festival.  "Participation in the opening ceremonies and other related Olympic events has raised the bar and awareness of the art form, as well as strengthening a new network and opportunities, coast to coast  

Still unable to fully grasp the enormity of the experience and the audiences, Canada's tap dancers share a priceless memory and legacy that their art form has been put on the map and woven into the country's fabric and future.

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Contact: Sas Selfjord, 250-247-7197, to arrange for interviews.
sasself@shaw.ca
www.vantapdance.com