Rhythm World 32
July 8 - 24, 2022
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Jumaane Taylor
Artistic Director

Photo by Kristie Kahns Photography

America’s oldest and most comprehensive festival of tap – is BACK and under the direction of Jumaane Taylor, a visionary and accomplished teacher, performer, choreographer and producer. Taylor has reimagined this year’s festival to offer three weeks of rhythm bending, in-person education and performance programs by a new ensemble of teaching and performing artists. Attendees may take as few as ONE class or as many as four classes per day over three weeks.

Classes will return to Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building with concerts at Navy Pier’s Lake Stage, Jazz Showcase, the Black Legislator’s Theater a the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Beverly Arts Center and the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

Students will be asked to verify that they have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their first class. CHRP will comply with all City, State and Federal mandates related to vaccination status, room and theater occupancy as well as cleaning protocols.

Please contact us at registration@chicagotap.org or 312-542-2477.

Masterclasses

8 Classes each day
July 8, 10, 17, & 24

Masterclasses are 80-minute, one-time classes with a single teacher. Choose 4 different advanced or 4 intermediate classes each weekend, but it’s all up to the “master” in the room. The masterclass is an audition style setting. Meaning, you pick up whatever they put down. Faculty will share their masterful ideas with warm-ups, traveling phrases, a combination, or all of the above but particularly structured for the students in that room. Be aware of the artistry these tap masters share with you . . . It will take you a step closer to understanding this art form. Masterclasses begin with Victoria Jones, Sean Kaminski, Maria Majors and Anthony Russo.

Fees: $25 per master class

American Tap Conservatory

July 8 & July 10
or
July 13 - 15 & July 17
or
July 20 - 22 & July 24

Attendees of CHRP’s American Tap Conservatory will have the opportunity to experience it all. ATC attendees may choose to enroll for the first, second, or third week of Rhythm World. ATC students will have the opportunity to jam with live musicians, engage in discussions with treasured members of the tap community, and perform works learned throughout the ATC program – displaying the brilliance of this year’s invited teachers, choreographers and improvisers. This is an invitation into the life of a professional tap dancer, consistently learning while sharpening knowledge and history of tap.

Choreography Residency

Wednesday, July 20 - Friday, July 22

Four classes per day for 3 consecutive days to understanding... What does it mean to choreograph tap? When we are choreographing, is it tap or something accompanying the tap? During this residency, students will be “in the room” with 4 of the most defining voices of our field. These powerful voices arrange rhythm for the feet, so that the body and spirit can be fulfilled. Here we teach you how to compose or choreograph for tap, strategically creating a rhythmical flow that compliments the music, but also exemplifies a full range of vocabulary. Within the works shared this week, you will learn how to build for this dance, fitting for the concert stage.

Introducing to our final festival week is the Leon Collins’ Institute and the Condos Salad. Shared this week by the legendary Dianne Walker, a student of Leon’s and the torch-barrier of his genius work and virtuoso Sam Weber.
Fees: $300

Kids Program

The Kids Program will include technique classes with drills that embed muscle memory in young tap dancers for more next level technical work. This particular program invites serious beginning to intermediate level tap dancers to progress their skills, providing the next set of necessities for tap training. Improvisational strategies, strengthening warm-ups and short combinations will be shared.

Fees: $100 per master class

July 9

Intermediate & Advanced Courses

Spend three consecutive days with four teachers of your choice. Each leveled course runs nine hours over the three days. Learn something to stay with you on your tap journey. The classic festival ‘course’ where you are guaranteed to take something home. Maybe it’s a phrase that catches your ear or a longer rhythmic composition that will become helpful for your eternal rhythmic experience. Building off those artists’ ideas, rather than just memorizing routines would be the focus here. With Ali Bradley, Christina Carminucci, Christopher Broughton and Jumaane Taylor.

Fees: $90 per course

July 13 – July 15

Teacher Certification

Wednesday, July 20 - Friday, July 22

What should teachers teach in tap? There are some technical standards that most tap dancers agree on. There are also certain advancements in the techniques that may be new or less well known to many teachers. The week of the ‘Teachers Certification’ will update you on where we are in tap. Technically and rhythmically. Incorporating and connecting with those important standards, while also learning how to incorporate some historical references into our lessons. Discussing how they can apply what they’re learning to their curriculum. This year’s faculty includes Dianne Walker, Sam Weber, Jason Janas and Karissa Royster.

The Teacher’s Certification Program, now in its 4th year, can be attended regardless of attendance during previous years. Teachers attending a single year receive a Certificate of Completion and those attending four consecutive years receive a Master Teacher Certification.

Fees: $300