Youth Tap Ensemble Conference

The third annual YTEC program will continue to focus on the development and performance of repertory for youth tap ensembles from around the world. YTEC choreographers this year are Heather Cornell, Brazil’s Valeria Pinheiro, Derick Grant and Lynn Dally – each with distinct concepts.YTEC students will continue to have daily classes in technique, improvisation, related seminars and new opportunities to interact with members from the other ensembles and festival attendees. Of course, YTE’s will also have an opportunity to perform alongside our master faculty on one of three weekend concerts. This unique program sells out every year so register early.

YTEC Choreography Projects

Lynn Dally (must enroll 5 dancers)
This fast moving, full-bodied tap quintet really uses the music and all 5 dancers moving in 3-D space and is original choreography by JTE's Lynn Dally made especially for CHRP's Youth Tap Ensemble Project. (music: Track #1 on "Swamp Sally" Kenny Barron/ Mino Cinelu on Verve; length: approx 4 minutes.) (Kenny Barron is the preeminent American jazz pianist; Mino Cinelu is the extremely talented Brazilian guitar, percussion, vocalist.)

Valeria Pinheiro Brazil
Valeria’s historic works combines authentic Brazilian grooves, vernacular movements and cultural subtexts. Polyrhythmic composition and full body involvement will take the dancers to a different world and level of expression. Her choreography has been described as “ historic . . . the equivalent of Vaslav Nijinsky’s Right of Spring.” (Chicago Tribune)

Derick Grant
Derick found inspiration for this choreography project in the chasm – perceived or real – that exists between rhythm tap and show tap. This choreography will bring the two worlds together and will prove that they can coexist on stage. The music will be Happy Feet and the rhythm will be all Derick.

Heather Cornell
Steve Condos' "Grounded" (Must enroll 4 dancers)
Manhattan Tap commissioned Steve in 1990 to create a choreography for the company. During the fifty hours of sessions, the company warmed up on Steve's "rudiments" -- exercises based on drum technique -- for three hours a day. After a week of Steve's "boot camp", their technique had never been better. In this workshop, Heather will pass on the choreography "Grounded" which is set to an original piece of music also composed by Steve Condos.

What is a “Course”?

A course meets once a day, Monday through Thursday for one and a half hours each day. Courses are cumulative, that is, they build from one day to the next and allow students and teachers to present material in a more comprehensive contaxt. If you are unsure about what your “level” is, we suggest that you talk to your teacher or look at our teachers’ bios on CHRP’s web site to find the right fit. Feel free to contact our office, but please realize that it may be difficult to assess your skill level if we haven’t seen you dance. Courses fill quickly and space is limited so register early to save your space.

What is a “Masterclass”?

Our masterclasses meet on Saturday and Sunday and are intended to offer dancers a feast of teachers, styles and techniques. Some have specific focuses and others are simply identified by the teacher and level. If you have a specific question, please feel free to call us!

Course/ Masterclass Levels

Open Appropriate for all levels.
Next Step More than “advanced” because the teachers are given permission to explore “different” ideas, both rhythmic and/or spatial and the students are expected to be ready to go along for the ride!
Advanced Need to have your chops in your pocket.
Intermediate Advanced Strong technical base
Intermediate Work in Progress (3-5 years experience)
Fast Beginner Should have command of the basics. (2-3 years experience)
Teachers These courses are not specifically about how to teach, but to be in a room with your peers and in a safe environment for learning and replenishment.

Course Descriptions

Open

Dr. Jeni LeGon
Living in a Great Big Way
Jeni is teaching our only “Open” course, and the real experience is to be around this legend of our community.

Next Step

Sam Weber
“Technique, Swing and Double Time”
Based on the tune "But Not For Me," played by Ahmad Jamal. It's a medium swing that goes into double time and has “interesting*” turns. * Sam’s own choice of words. Remain calm.

Valeria Pinheiro
“Brazil”
That’s it. Tap and Brazilian rhythms. Tap and Brazilian movements. Tap and the Brazilian soul. Valeria is making incredible new work blending American tap with Brazilian culture – according to the Chicago Tribune it is as revolutionary as Vaslav Nijinsky’s Right of Spring.

Bril Barrett
“MADD Rhythms”
Bril will do what he does best . . . make music through rhythm. Students will be challenged to drop labels and create rhythms inspired by Mozart and Miles, Rakim and Santana, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and B.B. King. You might want to bring a towel.

Lane Alexander
Choreography Project
Designed for dance tappers, students will dance to the exquisite music of Chick Corea's "Children's Songs." Dancers will collaborate in small groups within the class to create work utilizing the specific strengths of each dancer.

Advanced

Dianne Walker
“Slides and Rhythm”
Dianne will teach material based on Leon Collins’ “Slide” routine - never before taught in Chicago – embellished by her own strong sense of rhythmic phrasing and individual style.

Idella Reed-Davis
“Rhythm”
Continuing the tradition of the Sammy Dyer School of the Theater and Dance, Idella will teach her own inimitable rhythmic style. Everyone who has experienced her teaching comes back for more as she perfectly balances the achievable with the challenge.

Jay Fagan
“Irish Roots”
Jay will create a choreography based on a piece he performs in his act, Sibling Rivalry. It is a humorous interpretation of Irish step dancing infused with Jay’s irrepressible humor and technical prowess.

Int/Adv

Julie Cartier
Time Travels
Designed for tappers who really like to move, the rhythmic voice of Especially Tap Chicago has built a series of progressions that will get you moving through your rhythms. No standing around in this course – you’ll move, jump and spin. Intermediate and above.

Dormeisha Sumbry
Fusion
Taught at a progressively challenging pace, classes will begin with an intensive warm-up that features variations of shuffles and flaps. The classes will continue with across-the-floor combinations or a lesson in which a longer combination is constructed. In terms of style, be ready for anything!

Yako Miyamoto
Rhythm Asia
Dance like drumming, drum like dancing . . . . this is Yako’s philosophy which infuses the work of her company Cobu. This class will be accompanied by a Taiko drummer who will help students understand the rhythms and dynamics of this Japanese form while Yako concentrates on translating this aesthetic into your feet.

Intermediate

Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin
with a special appearance by Ernest “Brownie” Brown
“Old Man Time”
The historic signature song and cane dance made famous by the legendary duo Cook and Brown who were part of the elite tap company called the Copasetics. Reggio will teach the first three days of the course and “Brownie” will come on the fourth day to polish and “authenticate” the work!

Sarah Savelli
“Feel It”
Let go of names – listen and watch. This course will improve your ability to process rhythm organically, not just teach you more steps. Learn syncopations that are not easily counted and get tips on how to pick up rhythms more easily. Part of the fun will come at the end of the week when different artists will teach 16 count phrases to test your new skills!

Fast Beginner

George Patterson
Rhythm

Teachers

Dianne “Lady Di” Walker
Professor Aranto Buckner
Dianne’s mentor, Leon Collins, was a native Chicagoan who studied with a man named Professor Aranto Buckner. Some of Collins work is thought to have been distilled from the Professor and Dianne continues to distill these rhythms and styles and teaches them in her own unique and mesmerizing way.

Heather Cornell
The Best of Basics
One of the best teachers in the business, Heather has steeped herself rhythm from multiple sources and cultures including Steve Condos, Eddie Brown, Harriett Browne, Chuck Green and more. There is no better place to start than at the top!

Masterclasses Descriptions

Open

Saturday
A rare opportunity to study with a true Master. Don’t miss it!
Jeni LeGon – Steps in Time

Next Step

These teachers take their own unique techniques and rhythmic aesthetics to the next level.

Saturday
Dormeisha Sumbry - Fusion
Sam Weber – Technique and Latin
Derick Grant - Rhythm
Sarah Savelli – Furious Feet

Sunday
Jay Fagan – Just Jay
Bril Barrett – MADD Rhythms
Idella Reed- Davis – Dyer Times

Advanced

A combination of historic dances, contemporary styles, American swing and other rhythmic cultures.

Saturday
Sam Weber – Begin the Beguine
George Patterson - Fusion
Heather Cornell – Eddie Brown
Dianne “Lady Di” Walker – Rhythmic Phrasing
Yako Miyamoto – Rhythm Asia

Sunday
Idella Reed-Davis - Swingtime
Sarah Savelli - Latin

Intermediate/Advanced

Every tap dancer needs to be able to differentiate between Latin and Swing as well as understand the principles of mixed meters. Here’s your chance.

Saturday
George Patterson - Swingtime
Valeria Pinheiro – Samba/ Bossa Nova

Sunday
Jimmy Payne, Jr. – Mixed Meters

Intermediate

Sample a wide variety of meters and styles specifically at the intermediate level – swing, latin, soft shoe, waltz and more. Take one, take them all!

Saturday
Derick Grant - Swingtime
George Patterson - Latin
Heather Cornell – Rudiments and more
Dianne Walker - Slides

Sunday
Jay Fagan – Soft Shoe
Bril Barrett – Easy Does It
Jimmy Payne, Jr. – Waltz

Fast Beginner

Dormeisha, Valeria and Julie will offer classes designed to go over the basics while at the same time challenging students with new material - a great way to improve your basic understanding of steps and rhythm.

Saturday
Dormeisha Sumbry – One More Time
Valeria Pinheiro – Intro to Latin Rhythm

Sunday
Julie Cartier – The Oscar Groove

Teachers

Teachers need to replenish themselves so they can continue to offer their students new ways to approach old concepts. Lynn and Julie are truly teachers’ teachers and can offer new insights that will refresh your classes.

Saturday
Lynn Dally – Fresh Perspectives
Sunday
Julie Cartier – Fresh Perspectives

Seniors

Tired of feeling out of place or ignored in classes designed for teenagers? Not anymore. Learn from the director of Syncopated Seniors at a pace that is meant for you.

Saturday and Sunday
Doris Humphries - Syncopated Seniors