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

10th Anniversary "Surprise"
Yep, this is a very special treat for everyone: several faculty members in this singular opportunity will share their all-time favourite combination! It's our way of saying "Thanks" (only $10) and also a tribute to one of the legendary festivals that started it all: The Portland Festival, which included a surprise class. We thought it fitting to include this bit of memorabilia to our celebration.

Dianne Walker Residency Leon Collins' Routine 53 (9 hours) Inter/Adv (3 day continuous)
Technique, shading, phrasing, tone, clarity, rhythm, are just a few of the elements that make up the legendary Collins' Routine 53. This nine-hour residency with "Lady Di" is our anniversary feature with the only artist who has participated in all 10 of our festivals. Says Dianne Walker: "Leon gave me my foundation. He talked about being on time, about money and expression. He taught me everything that I know." Collins approached his compositions with a clear and understandable phrasing of crisp straight eighth notes, accented and syncopated by clapping sections, quick turns, and sharp angular movements. "The air is free, and so is my tap. All I'm really trying to do is put a smile on your face," Collins explained.

Arthur Duncan Insight into a Tap Icon! Inter (3 day continuous)
This experience with a grand master of tap should not be missed. You will be immersed in his illustrious career that includes an 18-year stint with the Lawrence Welk show; appearances in the movie Tap; touring  with Tommy Tune's My One and Only, and Acia Gray's Souls of our Feet and so much more. Quite literally: a rare and unique tap privilege!

Lane Alexander Brazil Meets Funk, Classical & Swing Inter (3 day continuous)
Lane says: "Fernanda Takai sings a truly original arrangement of the classic Insensatez. A version of How Insensitive has a gentle sensuality with a beautiful groove.
During the third class, we will transpose the material over a different musical selection with a completely different feel and see how that changes the physical approach to the steps". Advanced - "Would a classical class be popular?" he asked. "It sure will be, when delivered by you Lane," Sas replied. Adv. Inter - "Swing slow to Nicole Henry's rendition of My Love. Some practical and wonderful vocabulary for a laid-back, but heavy swing feel."

Johnson & Peters "Lucky Numbers" Inter/Adv (3 day continuous)
This famous Nicholas Brothers' routine was filmed when Harold was 15 and Harold, 22 years of age. J&P have been privileged to consult directly with Harold and Fayard and get their personal feedback on the intricacies of this cherished choreography.
 

Lisa LaTouche Move in the Groove Adv/Beg (3 day continuous)
Fine tune dancers' sense of musicality while setting their rhythm in motion. Experience different ways to articulate ideas over different grooves and pulses and understand rooted and dynamic approaches to enhanced phrasing. "We will encompass technical exercises with a composition of melodies in a given combination," says Lisa whose classes will have you speaking in time and moving in the groove! 

Heather Cornell - Highland Fling Advanced (2 day continuous)
Heather spent many hours in private sessions with Eddie Brown and counts him as one of her strongest influences. Come and learn the material of his rhythm tap version of this traditional Scottish Folk Dance. You have to experience it to believe it! It will give you a small insight into the mind of the man who was called Mr. Scientific Rhythm.

Travis Knights "A Tribute to Ethel" - Adv/Beg
A tribute to Ethel Bruneau, one of Montreal's foremost teachers, who has spent more than 50 years influencing countless students. Travis will teach her Base 2 tap technique to the advanced beginner class. "It's a comprehensive A, B, C tap routine that I used to learn how to write tap with" he reports. Inter - an a capella class is designed to expand the musical minds of students.

Anthony Peters Riffs - Adv./Beg Walking riffs:
There is an almost endless variety of walking riffs and they can be performed in a variety of different rhythms, counts, accents, feelings, etc. Learn a short routine that incorporates a host of them.

Cheryl Johnson Samba! - Adv/Beg
Learn a short tap dance routine that can be applied to Jazz performed in a Samba style or to Brazilian music. The most famous Brazilian musical form, Samba attained world renown in 40's Hollywood films, starring Carmen Miranda, and in the 50's and 60's, within the Jazz genre through artists such as Stan Getz and Sergio Mendez.

Terry Brock - R-E-S-P-E-C-T - All Levels
One of the most memorable moments from our nine previous festivals was having Dr. Cholly Atkins grace us with his presence. Sadly, the Vancouver festival was Cholly's last professional commitment and he is missed. Terry will pay her R-E-S-P-E-C-T with one class dedicated to Cholly's vocal choreography, which was integral to the music of Motown. Adv. Beg./inter. class will transport students to the "Golden Era of Tap in Hollywood."

Tasha Lawson Human Orchestra - All levels
This class will explore body percussion through rhythm exercises, vocals and grooves. Tasha will have you creating your own music and jamming to your very own body beats. Bring your tap shoes or tennis shoes and get ready to connect and play! Advanced - Tap into Your Musicality! - will provide you with poly-rhythmic exercises to awaken your senses. Work your technique while gliding through space and delve into the melody of an Oscar Peterson tune. Open your eyes and ears on a journey through phrasing, shading, musical structure and more.

Jason Janas - Fancy Footwork Advanced class
"I want to spread the love, passion and history, share what I know and have developed. The advanced class will include my love of fancy footwork." Students in the Adv. Beg. & Inter class will serve up some new time steps with traditional work designed for each level.

Gene Medler - Insight Inter/advanced
Gene is a master at teaching improv. You may not know that he is teaching improv, but suddenly you'll just be improvising. Just for Teachers - Gene's unique methodology has made him one of the most respected in North America. Teachers will be enlightened and enriched after spending 90 minutes with Gene, gaining insight into his very successful approach to teaching rhythm tap dance. Adv. Beg - a master of technique-get some tips you will continually put to use.

YOUTH CLASSES    All intermediate levels - ages 9-15 years

Gene Medler
Youth class students will learn technique and short combinations that allow them to experience "finding the dance". This is a life time opportunity to study with one of the most respected and talented teachers in North America-seize this moment!

Danny Nielsen - Keeping It Real
This is an opportunity to share an infectious passion for tap dance with a rising star. Join Danny for two days of high energy instruction that will challenge the mind and body, but also feed the soul.

Matt Shields - Slip, Slide and Swing
Another dancer who has studied with the masters and represents the bright future of tap, Matt will lead a class that will challenge students to both move and groove. 

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