Tap Festival

Hotel Accommodations

Rate: $139.00-2 Queen beds (4 occupants)
Code: Vancouver International Tap Festival
Hotel Toll Free: 800-663-9151 (Canada & US)
Holiday Inn: 800-HOLIDAY (toll free)
Phone: (604) 623-6866
Fax: (604) 684-4736
E-Mail: reservations@hivancouverdowntown.com
Location: Hotel is located at 110 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC 1 block from the Scotiabank Dance Centre where the classes are held. Limited block of rooms guaranteed to August 1, 2011.

A Few Words About The Classes

CONTINUOUS CLASSES

Classes scheduled at the same time, with the same instructor, for all 2 or 3 days will be delivered with the intent of covering continuous work over the 2 or 3 days. All single classes that may repeat an instructor, level or narrative are individual classes that are uniquely different - none of these classes are continuous or repeated.

ADULT CLASSES

DIANNE WALKER:
Leon Collins' "Routine Two" (Nine hour residency)
Intermediate/Advanced
Collins danced with disarming ease and shimmering speed. He not only taught his students well, he also provided them with exciting opportunities to develop their careers. Dianne recalls: "Leon gave me my foundation." About Routine Two she simply says: "It swings and although all Leon's routines swing, Routine Two, really swings!" There are textured layers to this complex work which are developed as the speed builds.

Here is one of our favourite quotes about Lady Di: "Barely lifting her shoes off the floor, she cast perfect pearls of sound across the waters. So delicate, so sweetly rhythmical, a musical masterpiece," Constance Valis Hill (Tap Dancing America), on Dianne's CHRP '06 performance.

JAKARI SHERMAN:
STEP (3-day, continuous)
All Levels
"Stepping is tap dance without tap shoes, James Brown without the music of the JBs, Cab Calloway sans piano, a marching band without John Philip Sousa. It is jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, and rap without instruments. Stepping is lean and mean. The music comes from the synchronized interplay of hands and feet, from chants and hollers. It is a way to make music using the body as instrument." Jakari is thrilled to share his choreography at his inaugural Vancouver festival visit.

Gum Boot
All Levels
It If it werent for your gum boots where would you be? This high energy full of laughter and fun class will allow the artistic lens to stretch into another realm of dance-a gum boot dance.

Step as a Tool
Professional Development
Integrate the energy and appeal of stepping with English language. Use stepping as a tool to demonstrate the universal life skills of teamwork, discipline, and commitment. Part Class, Part lecture we will delve into the history of stepping and its ties with similar percussive dance traditions in Africa, as well as its place in the long line of African American cultural traditions, including hambone, ring shout, and tap dance.

JASON SAMUELS SMITH:
Rhythm Intricacies (2-day, continuous)
Advanced Choreography
Here is your opportunity to learn from one of the most in-demand Tap Choreographers working today. Expect to be challenged with an amazing abundance of complex rhythmic intricacies.

In Honor of Gregory
Advanced Beginner
Jason was directly inspired by Gregory and has many times paid tribute to the master. It seemed fitting that Jason present a class to share the deep respect he has always had for Mr. Hines by offering some insight into what continues on through his legacy.

The Finish
Advanced, Advanced, Advanced
Bring water, a towel, an extra t-shirt and be ready to push yourself beyond your comfort zone! This class won't finish you, but it will give you a fine finish...

CHLOE ARNOLD:
Choreography - Flare that Hits (3-day, continuous)
Advanced
Your opportunity to learn cutting-edge choreography from an industry guru with an emphasis on gaining insight into how those moves can be executed with flair and precision. Chloe's material focuses as much on the overall picture in consideration of the flow of the sequences and intention behind the steps.

Tapping the Industry
Intermediate, Advanced
Every accomplished artist has benefited from other professional artists who inspired as well as taught them ways in which they can best navigate in this industry. Learn some of the inside tips and skills as a result of relationships with some of the major artists that have inspired Chloe's path.

TERRY BROCK:
"Taking a Chance on Love"
Intermediate
Ahh....the old soft shoe and nothing else will do! Given Terry's insights to the intent of Cholly Atkins' soft shoe and her in-depth understanding of the purpose of this endearing style of dance, this will be a "perfect class."

Essence of Broadway
Advanced Beginner
Head to Broadway, for 90 minutes, and get that feel, the style and moves, from Jelly's Last Jam, 42nd Street and Chorus Line.

TRAVIS KNIGHTS:
Interpretation & Presentation
Intermediate
Through the choreography process, Travis will focus attention on how to center interpretation and presentation of the steps.

Musicality
Advanced Beginner
Musicality is not something reserved only for advanced students. Travis can't wait to share this introduction that will develop all-important musicality in your Tap dancing.

DANNY NIELSEN:
Feel Good, Rhythm Feel (3-day, continuous)
Advanced Beginner
A Two Chorus piece with a great rhythmic feel. Smooth. Smooth. Smooth!

Canada's Oscar
Advanced
Musicality is not something reserved only for advanced students. Travis can't wait to share this introduction that will develop all-important musicality in your Tap dancing.

SARAH REICH:
Exploring Basics
Advanced Beginner
Experimenting with the basics by taking basic steps and exploring their endless possibilities.

"Swingin' Out"
Intermediate
You will actually sense the swing as you work on basic traditional tap steps with style and a feel for the 1930s.

Latin Rhythms
Intermediate
Incorporating Latin dance moves with tap. Sarah's commitment to exploring and promoting tap with a Latin flare comes to her naturally and is presented with passion and love.

GENE MEDLER:
Back to Basics
Advanced Beginner
Experience, wisdom, patience and humility are the foundations of Gene's unique teaching methodology. This opportunity to hone your technique with Gene is a privilege, exploring pathways, strokes, dynamics, and more.

Gettin to Improv
Intermediate
Gene has several methodologies that make this FUN but NOT INTIMIDATING. The great Jimmy Slyde observed: "Tap improvisation and the ability to swing is a spiritually enlightened conversation."

Instilling Passion
Professional Development
Gene is a master at finding the dance and instilling the passion. His teaching is legendary, the methodology is his very own, and his wonderful insights seem endless.

JASON SAMUELS AND THEO HILL:
Clefs and Taps - Theo on piano, Jason with taps
Advanced/Intermediate
Join the duo of masterful musical forces that shaped the sounds and rhythms for ACGI. Develop your musicality and musicianship, and explore phrasing and communication with these two renowned musicians.

YOUTH ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (YEP)
This year we have introduced a new layer of programming to our festival. By special invitation, Tap Con Sabor and North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble will join VTDS's TapCo to participate in a training session that has been designed specifically for these 30 or so dancers. These talented dancers will also present Tap Trilogy, on Saturday night.

ACGI COMPANY CLASS
Intermediate
Count them: FIVE stars of Taps, all in the studio, at the same time, sharing their remarkable talents. This unique company class will move fast, with a great many flashes that will capture the uniqueness of these amazing artists.

YOUTH CLASSES    All classes - intermediate levels - ages 9-15 years

MATT SHIELDS:
Flash Moments
A little flash goes a long way, featuring some Trenches, Over the Tops and a Slide or two.

LEE HOW:
Fusion
Lee How has performed along Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of legendary hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest. Combining his work as a professional tap dancer with music and dance genres, Lee creates a unique and definable sound. A special festival class - which is so relevant in the modern music industry - is waiting.

Positivity
The class centers itself around positivity and growth. Starting with drills that build endurance as well as strengthen technique followed by intense choreography, students will be pleasantly challenged to reach. Anyone willing to share, grow, and have fun is welcome.

TERRY BROCK:
Let's Dance
With her widely recognized technical prowess and sophisticated style, Terry has trained hundreds of Broadway-bound students and will continue this important work here in Vancouver.

DANNY NIELSEN:
"3-S's"
Speed, Stamina and Sound - here is a class that will whip you into shape, pronto!

MELINDA SULLIVAN:
"So You KNOW You Can Dance"
Overview of having 'stage presence' and incorporating it into your tap dancing. Melinda demonstrates and teaches pointers on transitioning steps into a theatrical performance by using storytelling, musicality, and style. Melindasullivan.com

CHLOE ARNOLD:
"Move It"
Join Chloe in a fast-paced all out Tap Workout that will focus on developing your stamina and endurance as well as focus on the intricacies of the steps. This is an opportunity to learn some of the secrets behind Chloes talent and how she develops the ability to execute her trademark moves.

TRAVIS KNIGHTS:
"LeTang" 2-day continuous
Travis will share the work of tap legend Henry LeTang, whose celebrated choreography was acclaimed in the Showtime film Bojangles, starring Gregory Hines.