Welcome to our 18thannual VancouverInternational Tap DanceFestival! These three daysin 2017 stand on ourproud history ofcommissioning new work,of producing, presenting,premiering andshowcasing the world’sfinest tap artists. And onceagain, we are providingan exciting and extensivebackdrop of intensemaster classes toeveryone who wants topractice and perfect ourbeloved art form.

Last December, I was,admittedly, feelingsomewhat complacentabout this year’sprogramming. And as theclock ticked away the all-too-familiar ‘ping’ ofincoming email caughtmy attention. It was arequest to review the

attached video. It wasCaleb Teicher andCompany (Byron Tittle,Brittany DeStefano,Gabriel Winns Ortiz).I was mesmerizedwatching “Variations,”and I knew I had thecatalyst to drive our 2017festival! Revitalized, I contacted Jason Janasregarding his one manshow about his life andtap dance. He agreed topresent his work reflectinghis current life experiences- in “Resonance,” withChanning Cook Holmes.

With these two majorcreative works confirmed,we topped up this festivalwith the likes of DianneWalker, Terry Brock, ChloeArnold, Joseph Wiggan,Dayna Szyndrowski andSusan Nase who willshare the presentationsover both nights, with

Caleb Teicher and Co (Fri.)and Resonance, withJason Janas andChanning Cook Holmes(Sat).

Thanks to Caleb andJason, for their support.And a very big shout outto Dianne Walker andTerry Brock. Theirinvaluable advice andfriendship has beenunwavering; both havepaved our path withgrace and generosity.

To the community whichkeeps coming to thefestival: we hope youcontinue to receive valuedinspiration. Please knowthat you are so appreciated.After all, it is you whomake our unique festivalreally happen! We lookforward to celebrating Tapwith you in August 2017.

Sas SelfjordProducer

LevelsADULT CLASSES:Adv. Beginner - 1-3 years, Intermediate - 3-6 years, Advanced - 7+ yearsNote: some adult classes are designated ADULT (AO); to enrol,dancers must be 16+ years of age.YOUTH:10 to 16 years of age. Designed for the intermediate level, withthe exception of 3 classes, which are designated ADVANCED (afaster pace).

ADULT PROGRAMDianne Walker3 DAY Residency. Intermediate (6 hours)Pure Dianne-some tap, some insights, some laughter, some tap,some life lessons, some precious moments, and more tap, alluniquely Dianne, with assistance from Mika Komatsu. A0 16yr+

Joseph WigganIntermediate. Students will be encouraged and trained torefine their audible dynamic, while styling the visual shapes oftheir dance.Intermediate. Dancers will analyze the structure of several jazzstandards, and concentrate on strength in improvisation andchoreography.Advanced Beginner. We will explore traditional to moderntime steps at varying tempos.

Gabe Winns ORTIZAdv. Beginner. We will work on accents and the freedom toexpress musical thoughts as clearly as possible.

Brittany DeStefanoAdv. Beginner. Free- and groove-based, with the goal of vibingout as much as possible in an open environment.

Jason Janas2 day Intermediate. Starting with rudiments and weightchange exercises, followed by a combo focus on thoseexercises, which will continue and build each day.Advanced. Will feature “whatever is new, challenging and whatI have in my head at that time!” Advanced. How do we express varied emotions in tap dance.Advanced Beginner. Focus on fundamentals of tap dance.Swing, weight change, and building confidence.All levels. Insights into the creation of choreography – what wedo - the process, and how Channing and Jason arrived at thework they are presenting at the Festival.

Caleb TeicherInter/Advanced. Caleb and Co: what inspires, the creative pivotand who works it out. Together: some discussion, some dance,some insights for all teachers, choreographers, and everyonewith aspirations or intrigue toward this direction.Intermediate. Slides! Everybody loves them, but they’redifficult to do well. The class will be designed around a slidecombination to provide dancers with greater tools for easierslide technique.Advanced. Chance Raps, Caleb Taps. Caleb will teach materialfrom his video project on Chance The Rapper’s music.Intermediate. Three takes on the same song. Terry, Caleb andChloe put their unique stamp on one song. You, the dancer, willget three individual and invaluable dance versions of the samecomposition.

Dayna SzyndrowskiMixed levels. 3-Day Improv. We start with understanding thisessential perspective: audiences may not remember your

footwork, but won’t forget how you make them feel. Movingthrough some tools to set yourself up, to actively finding yourvoice in the band and in the music, we will finish by experimentingon the closing night jam at Frankie’s Jazz Club, with live musicaccompaniment. A0 16yr+

Susan NaseAdv. Beginner. Tap Dance Musicality. Explore the musical sideof what your feet are doing, with exercises in subdivisions, tone,poly-rhythms, swing vs straight and most of all... groove!

Channing Cook HolmesIntermediate. Not only will we explore a routine, but also shareinformative insight into development of understanding music. All levels. What we do: insights into the creation and processof choreography, and how Channing and Jason arrived at thework they are presenting at the Festival. Advanced. More then a master class, designed so you takesome exercises home with you.

Chloe ArnoldIntermediate. Three takes on the same song; Terry, Caleb andChloe put their own unique stamp on one song. You, the dancer,will share three takes on it. Advanced. Fast, quick, sharp, eloquent....and moreAdvanced 3 day. The flair, style and uniqueness of“Syncopated Ladies.”A0 16yr+

Terry Brock2 day Intermediate.16 YEARS+ (AO). Essences of Ellie. Terryis the conservator of Ms. Eleanor Powell’s timelesschoreography. Ellie was the Queen of Taps, a stylistic andtechnical original, whose essence in embodied by Brock.Intermediate. Hear what your Taps should be saying.Intermediate. Three takes on the same song; Terry, Caleb andChloe put their own unique stamp on one song. You, the dancer,will share three takes on it.

YOUTH PROGRAMJoseph WigganAthletics. Students will test their athleticism and ear dancing,alone, or in pairs, across the floor, and introducing andincorporating slide and wing variations into their vocabulary.Improv Games. Play around with ease when improvising.

Brittany DeStefano2 Day- Free and groove-based with the goal of vibing out asmuch as possible in an open environment

Bryon TittleMovement. What is the movement you need to reach yourdesired rhythm? Lightness. How to stay light on your feet-ADVANCED

Kristina LindenBridging the gap between Broadway and the Rhythm tap worldand becoming versatile in the industry today. Kristina willexplore all aspects of performing, including audition techniques.

Gabe Winns ORTIZWe’re gonna swing all class long

Caleb TEICHERSlides! Everybody loves them, but they’re difficult to do well.The class will be geared around a slide combination designed toleave dancers with greater tools for easier slide technique.ADVANCED

Chloe ARNOLDBeyonce! ADVANCED

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE CLASSES

FACULTY BIOSDayna SzyndrowskiDayna’s experiences in dance have all been informed by this connection, and her pursuit of rhythm. She has primarily studied tap dance and its rich history in jazz music and improvisationas a means of communication

Brittany DeStefanoAfter many years training locally, she began studying in NYC under the mentorship of Derick K. Grant. She began her professional career as a company member of Tap Kids under the direction of Lisa Hopkins and has worked with numerous New York-based choreographers.

Joseph WigganA native of LA, he began tap dance with Paul and Arlene Kennedy. Joseph is a 2003 Music

Center Spotlight Award winner, 2004 PresidentialScholar in the Arts, and winner of the 2005

Princess Grace Award for outstanding artistic achievement.

Byron TittleStarting with tap and ballet, he soon grew to

enjoy the different genres and aesthetics in the entire realm of dance. He began tapping with

the American Tap Dance Foundation’s Tap City Youth Ensemble, meeting Michelle Dorrance

through workshops and classes held there.

Caleb TeicherKnown for “mixing super-charged energy with tossed-off charm” (The New Yorker), Caleb is an acclaimed choreographer, performer, and teacher based in New York City, and is a foundingmember of Michelle Dorrance’s celebrated company, Dorrance Dance.

Jason JanasHis first professional company was TapestryDance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray as a principal dancer for 5 years. Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! and changed his life.

Dianne WalkerTap resurgence pioneer, Dianne ‘Lady Di’ Walker’s

distinguished 30-year career spans Broadway, TV, film and festivals. Dance captain in the

iconic Black and Blue in Paris, and Broadway, she appeared in the movie TAP, and is the only

female in the famed Hoofers Line.

Channing Cook HolmesDancer, drummer, actor, singer and fashion entrepreneur has traveled the world leaving huge footprints. Credits consist of appearances in A Showtime Original: Bojangles, Martin Scorsese’sGangs of New York, Jazz Tap Ensemble and Riverdance.

Terry BrockHer background includes multiple choreographicworks, an international performing career and teaching internationally. Terry has shared the stage with the likes of Gregory Hines, The Nicholas Brothers and Ben Vereen. She has also appeared with majorsymphonies.

Chloe Arnold Kristina LindenKristina was seen as a principle tap dancer in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter

Olympics and has been an opening act for pop singer, Mya. Her television credits include: Hellcats,

the X-Files and Psych.

Gabriel OrtizHe has toured worldwide with the critically-acclaimed stage show, Tap Kids, and since moving to New York City he has worked with various companies including RumbaTap, Dorrance Dance and Swing FX.

Susan NaseSusan has traveled to international festivals in

the France, Spain, Turkey, Italy, USA, Brazil and Greece to perform and study tap, world and

body music. She has presented many master dance/music workshops in Canada and the US.

Chloé Arnold was seen on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance as the winner of the dance

crew battle with her company, Syncopated Ladies Syncopated Ladies recently had sold-out concerts in

Dubai, New York City and Washington, DC. As a leading lady in the Art Form of Tap, Chloé has wooed

audiences in over 28 countries and 35 states.

“Listen to my feet and I will tell you the story of my life”

- John Bubbles

This year we're creating beat–all events, staged within ashort shuffle of each other, expressing rhythmic vibes inVancouver's downtown core!

August 25/17 - 8:00 pmAct One: VARIATIONS - Caleb Teicher and CompanyBach’s clever and lively Goldberg Variations utilize thesame harmonic foundation and chord progression foreach variation, but stretch the capacity for expression with renowned melodic variations, counterpoint, andrhythmic invention. In Variations, four dancers make thecompositions leap from their pages, creating new, playfulinvention and interpretations.

Dancers: Caleb Teicher, Brittany DeStefano, Gabriel Ortiz,and Byron Tittle.

"These days, a choreographer with a new angle on Bachis startling: Mr. Teicher has a will and a way." Gia Kourlas,NY Times

Act Two: Innovators-Festival FacultyWhile top innovators of tap – Dianne Walker, Terry Brock,Joseph Wiggan, Dayna Szyndrowski, Chloe Arnold, andSusan Nase- are gathered for the festival, we're presentingtheir diverse and exciting expertise, presenting some onFriday, and then on Saturday night. Accompanied by theequally accomplished and innovative Michael Creber Trio.

August 26/17 - 8:00 pmAct One: RESONANCE

Reflects the solid dedication and understating that hastaken Jason to where he is today. He will share insightsthat ring true and ring loud, ring true and ring soft. Thisrhythmic story delves deep into the past, never forgettingwhat's come before, yet also ringing joyfully andexpressing gratitude for what is yet to come.

Featuring: Jason Janas with Channing Cook Holmes

Act Two: Innovators -Festival Faculty (see narrative Aug. 25)

BOTH SHOWS at Orpheum Annex 832 Seymour St, Level 2Tickets: $32 adult, $28 Senior (65+)/Youth (under 16)(prices incl GST). Buy at vantapdance.com

August 27/17 - 8:00 pmFrankie’s Jazz ClubFOOD (Italian Cuisine) DRINKS, JAZZ and TAP

Don't miss our Festival social event at Frankie’s Jazz Club.It's the ideal venue, featured in Downbeat magazine’s“Great Jazz Venues of 2016.” The Jazz Club serves upexceptional musicians and for this special evening willadd tap dancers, in a rare, highly entertaining andinspiring combination.

MC: Dayna Szyndrowski - with tap artists and musicians.Frankie’s Jazz Club-765 Beatty Street (across the street from BC Place)Tix $15 –directly online:frankiesitaliankitchen.caThere is a $10 minimum food and beverage charge, in addition to admission.

SPECIAL EVENTS