Vancouver Tap Dance Society's Tap Co and North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble
Canada and America's best young tap stars join rhythmic forces
in one electrifying performance January 10, at the Norman Rothstein Theatre
Vancouver Tap Dance Society (VTDS) is delighted to present Maple Leaf - Stars & Stripes - an exhilarating two-hour presentation by over 30 of North America's most talented young tap dancers. VTDS's youth troupe Tap Co will be hitting the floorboards with 12 of North Carolina's Youth Tap Ensemble dancers, the pre-eminent youth tap group in the United States. As David Hinckley, of The New York Daily News noted after a performance, "Anyone who thinks tap is a curiosity from Fred Astaire movies just hasn't been listening."
These seasoned young professionals will jointly present the legendary works of the masters, such as Coles Walk Around, the Chair Dance, Shim Sham, and B S Chorus and commissioned choreography by such luminaries as Josh Hilberman, Keith Terry, Brenda Bufalino, Dianne Walker and many more.
Tap Co, formed in 2001 by VTDS, is a professional youth ensemble comprised of 16 dancers ranging in age from 9-18 years old, under the artistic direction of Mika Komatsu. Tap Co dancers have all trained at VTDS Tap Academy, and have entertained over 100,000 school kids through B.C.'s premiere artists-in-education program Artstarts.
North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) was founded in 1982 in Chapel Hill, NC by dance master Gene Medler, and continues under his direction.
Both troupes have performed locally, nationally and internationally. The passion for tap is evident among these young dancers. They have earned their chops and are headed for promising dance careers - carrying forward the history of tap and making it their own. They have taken the best from the masters and added their own style and energy.
The creative forces of NCYTE's Gene Medler and Tap Co's Mika Komatsu, present a heady mix of East meets West; America joining forces with Canada to offer a sneak preview of the next generation of tap. Gene Medler's illustrious career has included years of award-winning international performances and international teaching credits. He is VTDS's artist-in-residence January 5-14, 2009. Mika Komatsu was born and trained in Japan, and her elegant, fluid style has been an influence on hundreds of young dancers.
Performance is Saturday, January 10 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre (41st & Oak) at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20.00 at the door, or call 604 257 5111 (box office) VTDS-604-253-0293, or check out tapinfo@vantapdance.bc.ca
Contact:
Sas Selfjord, Executive Director
Vancouver Tap Dance Society
2775 E. Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z8
604 253 0293
www.vantapdance.bc.ca
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