Van Tap Scholarship Program in Percussive and Performance Arts
Program Overview
For over 30 years, the Van Tap (Vancouver Tap Dance Society or VTDS) has been a beacon for preserving and innovating tap dance and its vibrant cultural heritage. The Scholarship Program in Percussive and Performance Arts is a dynamic, 6-month, tuition-based intensive that invites dancers and performers to explore tap and related disciplines—percussive dance forms (e.g., step, clogging, body percussion), theatre, musical theatre, and dance for stage and screen. Designed for self-motivated artists, this program fosters creative risk-taking under the mentorship of Van Tap’s Executive Director and guest professionals, culminating in a signature performance at Vancouver’s Orpheum Annex.
Program Structure
This program welcomes intermediate to advanced performers (ages 18+) who specialize in tap, percussive dance, theatre, musical theatre, or dance for stage and screen, and are eager to innovate within these forms. Over 6 months, participants will:
Create a Soloist Piece: Each student will choreograph and perform an original solo, tailored to their discipline (e.g., a tap routine, musical theatre number, or screen dance piece), presented in the VTDS Scholarship Showcase at the Orpheum Annex.
Develop a Pilot Project Proposal: Participants will propose a pilot project inspired by tap or related performance arts—such as choreography, interdisciplinary works, community engagement initiatives, or screen-based dance films. One exceptional proposal, selected by the VTDS Director, will receive a minimum $2,500 CAD budget to produce the project, casting fellow program participants as collaborators. (This budget has the potential to be increased, upon the director’s discretion)
Receive Mentorship: Personalized guidance from the VTDS Director and guest artists (choreographers, directors, or filmmakers) will support students in refining their creative vision, production skills, and professional practices.
Participate in Workshops: Masterclasses with leading figures in tap, percussive dance, musical theatre, and screen dance will explore historical contexts (e.g., tap’s African-American and vaudeville roots) and contemporary innovations, equipping students to create bold, culturally resonant work.
The VTDS Scholarship Showcase at the Orpheum Annex (August of the calendar year) is the program’s highlight, featuring each participant’s soloist piece and select collaborative works.
The funded pilot project, produced with the cohort as cast, will debut either within the Showcase or as a standalone VTDS presentation, offering hands-on experience in professional production for stage or screen.
The Annex’s versatile space amplifies the program’s commitment to showcasing diverse, boundary-pushing performances that captivate Vancouver’s arts community.
Performance and Production
Our Commitments
The Vancouver Tap Dance Society is dedicated to the following actions to uphold our DEI principles:
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Equitable Access: We provide inclusive opportunities for participation in classes, workshops, and performances, with subsidized programs for low-income and underrepresented dancers.
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Zero Tolerance: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, bullying, or micro-aggressions in our studios, performances, and community spaces.
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Cultural Education: We offer workshops and events that explore the historical and cultural roots of tap dance, particularly its African American origins, to foster understanding and respect.
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Community Engagement: We partner with local organizations to expand access to tap dance for First Nations, Urban Indigenous, and other equity-deserving communities.
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Accountability: Our leadership and community members are committed to upholding these principles, with regular reviews to ensure progress toward our DEI goals.
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Vancouver Tap Dance Society
Our Board of Directors
Tracy Chamzuk
Board Chair