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
Program Outcomes
Participants will gain:
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A professionally performed soloist piece, documented for portfolios or promotional reels.
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Practical experience in proposing, developing, and potentially producing a pilot project in tap or related performance arts.
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Enhanced skills in choreography, performance, and collaboration, guided by expert mentorship.
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A deeper understanding of tap’s cultural legacy and its intersections with theatre, musical theatre, and screen dance.
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Connections within VTDS’s extensive network of performers, choreographers, and industry professionals.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
VTDS is dedicated to equitable access and cultural diversity, welcoming participants from BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, First Nations, Urban Indigenous, and low-income communities. Flexible payment plans and limited financial assistance ensure the program is accessible to all qualified applicants, honoring VTDS’s 30-year legacy of inclusive artistry.
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Tuition and Application
The program tuition is $1,500 CAD, covering mentorship, studio access, workshops, and production costs for the Orpheum Annex Showcase. To apply, candidates must submit a short audition video (demonstrating their discipline), a statement of intent, and a preliminary idea for their pilot project. Applications open in [November], with the 6-month program running from [February] to [August].
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Join Us
Amplify your artistry with the Vancouver Tap Dance Society’s Scholarship Program in Percussive and Performance Arts. From tap to musical theatre, stage to screen, create work that resonates and perform it at the Orpheum Annex. For application details, visit www.vantapdance.com or contact admin@vantapdance.com.
