Zurich Tap Festival 2012, 5–8 April 2012
Let's celebrate tap dance and rhythm!
The festival 2011 was a big success, and Regine Ochsner and Daniel Borak are looking forward to welcoming you again to Zurich for the second and bigger international Tap Festival 2012.
Featuring Tap Artists
Barbara Duffy, Danny Nielsen, Derick Grant,
Jason Janas, Karen Callaway Williams,
Maurice Chestnut
Six of the world's most exciting and amazing tap artists will be in Zurich for four days. We are very fortunate that the sensational Karen Callaway Williams, Jason Janas, and Maurice Chestnut are back, and we have the great privilege that another three spectacular tap artists will join them: Barbara Duffy, Danny Nielsen, and for the very first time in Zurich, Derick Grant!
Workshops
Workshops for all levels, classes for kids, improvisation and technique classes
> Read all details
> Program and online Registration
> Download Complete Festival Program
Student Showcase, Jam Session, and big Party
A public student showcase, an exciting Jam Session to live music. Then.. let's party!
> Read all details
«Rhythm Tap Live»
Zurich Tap Festival Concert
Featuring Jojo Mayer [drums]
We are incredibly thrilled to announce that Jojo Mayer, one of the most virtuous and innovative drummers, will be part of the festival this year. Joining him will be the extraordinary musicians John Davis [bass] and Romain Collin [keys]. Come and enjoy this spectacular concert featuring our six inspiring tap artists, and these incredible musicians.
> Read all details
> Purchase tickets
> Locations
> Hotels
> Contact: [email protected], Tel. +41(0)43 311 68 68
> Newsletter
The Artists of Zurich Tap Festival 2012
We give a warm welcome to our wonderful international guests.
Bio of Barbara Duffy [New York]
Barbara is a renowned teacher and an outstanding performer. She holds regular classes in New York City at «Broadway Dance Center» and «Steps», and has taught at numerous festivals around the world. Barbara was a featured dancer, actress and choreographer on the CBS sitcom «The Gregory Hines Show», and performed with Gregory Hines in «Dancing for the President» before President Bill Clinton. As a Dance Captain she worked for ten years in Brenda Buffalino's «American Tap Dance Orchestra». Barbara is the Artistic Director of «Barbara Duffy & Company». She received the «Rhythm World Award» for preserving and passing on the legacy of Leon Collin. According to the late Gregory Hines: «Barbara is one of the most inventive tappers around……».
Bio of Danny Nielsen [Vancouver]
Danny Nielsen is one of the brightest rising young tap talents. His rhythm career began at «M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada» under the direction of Lisa La Touche, studying with Bril Barrett, Martin Tre Dumas III and Jumanee Taylor. He has taught and performed at the big Tap Festivals, such as «Chicago Human Rhythm Project», «L.A. Tap Fest», «Calgary Tap Festival» and «Brasil Tap Jazz». He is an excellent teacher and his performance at last years's «Chicago Human Rhythm Project» earned him a standing ovation from the audience. Danny currently dances as a member of Heather Cornell's «CanTap» and teaches and produces Tap Events in Canada.
Bio of Derick Grant [New York]
Derick Grant is one of the most amazing and inspiring tap artists. He began his training at the age of two and by the time he was eight he has learned the «hoofing» style from tap master Diane Walker. As an original company member and Dance Captain in Savion Glover's Production «Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk» he received the «Princess Grace Award» for Upcoming Young Artists as well as the «Helen Hayes Award» for Outstanding featured Actors. His recent Production «Imagine Tap» had a very successful run in Chicago's Harris Theater and «A Night Out: Tap!» toured the country for three months. Of his latest choreography and performance at the Joyce Theater in NYC the New York Times said «Mr. Grant let gusts of rhythm propel him with remarkable velocity!».
Bio of Jason Janas [New York]
Jason Janas is one of the most exceptional rhythm-artists of his generation, and gets invited to festivals worldwide. He began his rhythm tap career as a charter member of «The New Jersey Tap Ensemble» under the direction of Mrs. Deborah Mitchell. He performed with Adrienne Canterna in Washington, DC for Vice President Dick Cheney, and was a featured dancer in Ayodele Casel's «Wonderland – A Tribute to Stevie Wonder» and «Diary of a Tap dancer», which played at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York. He was member of Derick Grant’s «Imagine Tap». Recently he collaborated with Rasta Thomas («Rock the Ballett») for the new production «Tap Stars, Bad Boys of Dance», which he co-choreographed. The show very successfully launched in Hamburg in August 2011. Jason is a National spokesperson for Capezio Tap shoes appearing in ads in every major dance magazine. To Jason, «Sound is rhyhtm. Rhythm is life.»
Bio of Karen Callaway Williams [New York]
Karen Callaway Williams has established herself as a prominent tap instructor. She teaches at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan and at many international tap festivals. Karen was Dance Captain in «Riverdance-the Show» and «Riverdance-on Broadway». Her Broadway credits include the Tony Award nominated Duke Ellington musical «Play On». She is a founder and original member of «New Jersey Tap Ensemble». At Lincoln Center she was on stage together with Jimmy Slide, Lon Chaney, Chuck Green and Bunny Briggs. As a soloist she danced with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. As a special guest choreographer for Cincinnati Pops Orchestra she performed for President Bill Clinton and Paul Newman. New York Times called her «a gifted traditionalist with laughing eyes».
Bio of Maurice Chestnut [New York]
Maurice Chestnut dances with thruth, soul and power. At the age of nine he became an original member of the «New Jersey Tap Ensemble». As one of the brightest young tap stars he was featured in «My Kids's a Star». In 2003, Maurice was recruited by tap master Savion Glover to join the national touring company of the Tony Award winning «Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk». He has continued to work with Savion as a member of his productions «Improvography», «Bare Soundz», «Classical Savion», as well as «Invitation to the Dancer». He is often invited to perform with prominent jazz musicians such as Christian McBride, Cyrus Chestnut, Thelonius Monk III and the Geri Allen Trio. Maurice sparked the audience at the Zurich Theater Spectacle in summer 2010, where he performed together with Savion Glover and Marshall Davis, Jr. in «Bare Soundz». Presently, the wonderful sound of Maurice Chestnut can be enjoyed as the penguins happy feet in the movie «Happy Feet 2».
Bio of Jojo Mayer [Drums]
Jojo Mayer (born in Zurich), lives in New York City. At the age of 2 he got his first drum set, and his first performance took place when he was only 3 years old. With 18, he joined Monty Alexander's group, and toured all over Europe, playing the major jazz-festivals including the North-Sea-Jazz Festival, Montreux, Nice, Antibes, Athens. This lead to gigs with other jazz-greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Nina Simone, and introduced him to an international audience. He appeared at most of the important Industrial Events and Drum Festivals. Jojo has been venturing into New York's Avantgarde club scene with his own weekly event «Prohibited Beatz», and his first solo project «Nerve». He has created a reputation that already goes way beyond «a serious buzz». He has received rave reviews: Jojo Mayer «...destined for "Drum God" status !» (Modern Drummer magazine).
Bio of John Davis [Bass]
Bio of John Davis will follow soon.
Bio of Romain Collin [Keys]
Bio of Romain Collin will follow soon.
Tap Workshops, 5–8 April 2012
Enjoy four high-intensive workshop days with the six extraordinary teachers. Choose from 46 exciting classes and 3 different levels, ranging from beginner to advanced «plus». New in the program are classes for kids and special classes with focus on technique and improvisation.
Put together your individual festival «tap-menu». You can attend the same class over four days or pick only a single class, it's your choice. The price per class decreases when you register for more classes. We offer a reduced rate for students (student identification card must be shown at the welcome desk), and for all attendees living abroad.
Tap Workshop Levels and recommended tap experience
The following levels are offered: Beginner/Intermediate («BEG/INT»), Intermediate/Advanced («INT/ADV»), and Advanced «plus» («ADV+»). To get the most benefit out of the classes, we recommend the following minimum tap experience: «BEG/INT» between 1–2 years, «INT/ADV» between 3–5 years, «ADV+» 6 and more years, and performing tap dancers.
Tap Workshops for Kids
We are very happy to offer classes for kids. They are for youngsters of the age of 7–12 with a recommended tap experience of 1–2 years. Tap along with an international tap star. Your teachers are Karen Callaway Williams, Barbara Duffy, and Danny Nielsen.
Tap Workshops with highlight Technique
Barbara Duffy is a highly acclaimed tap technique expert. She will show you ways to improve your tap technique very easily. Technique classes «TEC» are offered for all levels, from Beginners to Advanced «plus».
Tap Workshops with highlight Improvisation
Discover your passion for improvisation «IMP». Maurice Chestnut is a highly skilled improvisational tap artist who is «playing tap as a live instrument.». He will show you how to approach improvisation, and help you develop your skills. Beginners to Advanced «plus» students are invited to join the fun.
Please choose and register your classes online. We hope you like the «menu»!
> Program and online Registration
> Download: Complete Festival Program as pdf
> Location: Backstage Studio
> Contact: [email protected] , Tel. +41(0)43 311 68 68
Student Showcase, Tap Jam, and Party, 6 April 2012
Student Showcase, 19–20h
We invite students of the Zurich Tap Festival to present their works in this informal Showcase. It is open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Please let us know by e-mail if you would like to perform and state length of your piece you plan to present.
Tap Jam, 20–21h
An informal improvisation session hosted by Maurice Chestnut. Come and enjoy a fun time together with fellow tap dancers. We are very happy that the wonderful musicians Rainer Fröhlich [drums] and Christoph Sprenger [bass] are adding their groovy touch to the tap jam.
All levels are welcome! It is free of charge for festival attendees, no registration required.
Party
Afterwards let's party! Enjoy music, drinks, and snacks!
> Location: Maiers Theater
> Contact: [email protected] , Tel. +41(0)43 311 68 68
Locations
Workshops:
Backstage Studio, Hardstrasse 81, Zurich
All Tap Workshops will be held at Backstage Studio, Zurich. It is conveniently situated in Zurich West and can easily be reached by public transportation. From Zurich Airport take any train to Zurich Main Station (HB) or for a direct connection take train Number S16 to Zurich Hardbrücke. From Zurich Main Station take any of the following trains to Zurich Hardbrücke: S3, S5, S6, S7, S9, S15, S12, S16 or tram number 17. From Zurich Hardbrücke you may either jump onto bus number 33 or 72 to bus stop Hardplatz or take a 6-minute walk to the studio. If you arrive by car you will find a parking garage (Hardau II) at Bullingerstrasse 73.
Zurich Tap Festival Concert:
Volkshaus, Stauffacherstrasse 60 (at Helvetiaplatz), Zurich
The Concert will be performed at the Volkshaus Zurich
From Zurich main train station take tram number 3 or 14 to station Stauffacher. From Backstage Studio take tram number 8 from Hardplatz to Stauffacher.
Student Showcase, Tap Jam, and Party:
Maiers Theater, Albisriederstrasse 16 (at Albisriederplatz), Zurich
Maiers Theater in Zurich will be the location for the Student Showcase, the Tap Jam, and the Pary afterwards.
From Zurich main train station take tram number 3 to station Albisriederplatz. From Backstage Studio it is only a 5-minute walk or a one-stop bus ride with number 33 or 72 from Hardplatz to Albisriederplatz.
> Contact: [email protected] , Tel. +41(0)43 311 68 68
Hotels
The following youth hostel, B&B, and hotels are located nearby. We will also gladly assist with finding local tap dancers to stay with. Please let us know.
> «City-Backpacker» - Youth Hostel
estimated rate CHF 36.- per person
> «Pension fur Dich» - Bed and Breakfast
estimated rate CHF 36.- per person
> Hotel Etap (***)
estimated rate for a double room: CHF 103.- (double rooms with additional bed available). early booking rate CHF 87.-
> Hotel Ibis (***)
estimated rate for a double room: CHF 129.- (double rooms with additional bed available). early booking rate CHF 114.-
> Hotel Novotel (****)
estimated rate for a double room: CHF 160.-. early booking rate CHF 146.-
> Hotel Ramada (****)
estimated rate for a double room: CHF 161.-