The 5th annual Australian Tap Dance Festival stomps into town these September school holidays as a cavalcade of world class dancers arrive in Melbourne from across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the U.S.A. With an action-packed week of tap and choreography master classes, jam sessions, dance-offs and special events, the ATDF offers something fun for all ages and levels and is the only festival of its kind in Australasia.
“The ATDF is about bringing the tap community and the interested public together to learn, share, meet new people and most of all, have fun!”, says Creative Director and Founder of the Festival and Melbourne Tap Dance school, Winston Morrison. “We select the highest caliber faculty from across the world to deliver a truly unique immersive festival experience for our guests. Many of our festival sessions book out quickly as there is no other chance for Aussie tappers to learn from the best in one place!” he added. Morrison is himself highly regarded in the tap world as the Australian representative for the International Tap Association, experienced teacher and an in-demand performer across Australasia and the U.S.A.
One of the most sought after tap dancers in the world today, Michelle Dorrance, will be headlining the festival this year. A 2015 MacArthur Fellow and multi-award winner, Dorrance has been labeled “one of the most imaginative tap choreographers working today” by the New Yorker magazine.
Sample sessions at this year’s ATDF include a free beginners class for all ages and abilities, learn the Shim Sham – the anthem of tap dance, Cutting Contest – the ultimate tap battle, and Talking Tap – a Q&A with Michelle Dorrance and faculty. The festival culminates with the Rhythm Warriors gala on Saturday 1 October featuring an eye and ear-popping performance array of the crème de la crème of the tap world and live music.
Visit australiantapdancefestival.com.au for more.
