Twelve dancers from across Canada will be selected to learn group pieces of Leon Collins repertoire to be performed as part of Ms. Walker's set on August 19, at the 2022 Toronto International Tap Dance Festival.
In addition to this performance opportunity, residency dancers will work with Artistic Director Allison Toffan, and festival co-producer Juliana Kelly for 25 hours in preparation for Ms. Walker's arrival, followed by 25 hours in studio with Dianne and assistant Ian Berg (Boston).
The fundamental objective of this residency program is for professional development; to learn classic tap dance repertoire through oral tradition, observe Ms. Walker's process to orchestrate her set, gain feedback, ask questions, and create community by developing personal relationships with fellow residency participants, festival directors Allison & Julie, assistant Ian Berg, and course with Ms. Walker.
Expectations:
-dancers are required to be in Toronto from August 7 - 22, 2022.
-dancers are required to be available and present for all rehearsals from 10am-3pm for duration of residency program dates, band rehearsal in the evening on Thursday August 18 (time TBD), and tech/dress rehearsal and show all day on Friday August 19.
-dancers must arrive at each rehearsal with a clear understanding of the previous rehearsal’s choreography.
-dancers may be asked to develop solo work as well as collaborative assignments (in placed duo/trios) on their own time outside of allotted residency rehearsal hours.
-residency dancers are not allowed to register for Dianne Walker's masterclass on Saturday August 22 (due to capacity restrictions).
-residency dancers will not receive discounts on any festival masterclasses, workshops, or tickets for additional festival shows.
Submission Requirements:
-Cover letter addressed to Artistic Director Allison Toffan, stating interest in program, and why you feel you’d benefit from this opportunity/how this will impact your development. Please also indicate if you have previously learned Leon Collins material including the date, location, and artist you learned it from.
-Headshot (jpeg format)
-Biography (150 words max)
-Performance CV (2 pages max) Please include:
-professional dance work
(list show title, your role, choreographer/director, date/run, venue)
-tap dance training
(specialized or post-secondary programs, studios, teachers, mentors, festivals, intensives, workshops, etc)
-complementary training
(music, acting, singing, additional dance styles)
-recognition (Awards, scholarships, accolades, etc)
DO NOT INCLUDE COMPETITION PERFORMANCES/AWARDS ON YOUR RESUME
-video selection of 32 bars of your own original choreography. (youtube or vimeo links only)
Written components must be submitted in pdf format only.
DIANNE WALKER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
August 8 - 19, 2022
Esmeralda Enrique Academy of Spanish Dance
B104, 401 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON
10am - 3pm, Monday - Friday
$300 + HST
General Eligibility:
-Dancers must be Canadian, between 18-30 years old
-have a history of professional work, and/or pre-professional work (performance credits other than local/regional/national competitions - history can be as little as one non-competition related performance, for those who are new to the professional dance landscape)
-minimum of 8 years of tap dance training
-general understanding of music theory and jazz form
-experience with choreography and improvisation
-previous learning of Leon Collins repertoire is an asset, but NOT a requirement
Submissions will be accepted until June 15, 2022.
Please email Artistic Director Allison Toffan to submit your application as well as with any questions you may have: toffanrhythmprojects@gmail.com.