TRI SUMMER YOUTH INTENSIVE
SAVE THE DATES:
July 21-25, 2025
Location: Performing Dance Arts, 331 Cityview Blvd, Vaughan, ON
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FULL DETAILS IN THE SPRING!
In the meantime, see below to take a look at our 2024 program.
Intermediate, Advanced & Pre-Professional Dancers Age 12 - 25 (minimum 6 years of training)
*please note there are absolutely no age exceptions; the youngest dancers permitted to participate must be turning 12 in 2025 with birthdates in 2013*
40 hours of intensive training over 5 days jam packed with:
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intention focused classes from our esteemed tap faculty accompanied by live music!
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historical tap dance footage
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tap chats - group discussions on the who's, what's, and where's of today's international tap scene
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styles workshops - dancers will get the chance to try new percussive and historically aligned genres of dance throughout the week!
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improvisation - develop solid ideas & confidence
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music theory, jazz form, and creating arrangements
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professional development
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original choreography with offsite performance opportunity
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live music session
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student showcase
Our intensive is an excellent chance to collaborate and share with dancers from studios across Canada - an integral part of tap dance culture we feel passionate to promote! This opportunity has been built to create a multi-generational element of the Toronto Rhythm Initiative, providing youth with the inspiration to move forward with their development and expression within the art form - contributing to the future of the professional Canadian tap dance platform.
Most sessions will be split into groups. This is based on age, experience, skill level and maturity, and is subject to change at the discretion of the TRI Faculty, to best place dancers in a learning and performance environment that suits each student's respective aptitude. Due to varied experience, all participants will be challenged on an individual basis with regards to the material and class subject matter, and groupings may get changed up, so no need to worry about level variety. We'll find the right challenges and balance for every dancer to ensure a well rounded and fulfilling experience. All dancers will come together for tap chats, footage & history, styles classes, professional development, and our live music session.
The original choreography sessions will set by Allison Toffan, Juliana Kelly, David Lafleur, and Star Dixon. These pieces of repertoire will be featured in our TRI show on Sunday, July 28, at The Great Hall in Toronto. All participants are invited to perform alongside TRI professionals, and special guests with live music.
Closing up the week, dancers will experience a professional development session in the morning, and our live music session in the afternoon. Friends and family are invited to join us from 5:30-6pm where we'll showcase some of the work covered over the week, celebrate the triumph of new challenges, as well as special announcements!
2024 FACULTY LINE UP
TRI co-producer; morning sessions, history, choreography, music theory, improv
Morning sessions
TRI co-producer; morning sessions, history, choreography, music theory, improv
Morning sessions
Morning sessions
Morning sessions, improv, choreography
FEATURED GUEST ARTIST
STAR DIXON (Chicago)
An assistant director, choreographer, and original principal dancer of world renowned tap company, MADD Rhythms, Star has taught and performed at the most distinguished tap festivals in US, and has performed internationally in Poland, Japan, and Brazil to name a few. Performance venues include Jacob’s Pillow, Kennedy Center, and the Lincoln Center. Outside of MADD Rhythms, she's performed as a guest with such companies as Michelle Dorrance's Dorrance Dance and Savion Glover’s All Funk’d Up. Most recent awards include 3arts Make a Wave 2019, Chicago Dance Makers Forum lab artist 2022, Chicago Reader Best Dancer 2021 and Best Choreographer 2022.
Star will be with us all week teaching morning sessions for all levels, improv sessions for the advanced track, professional development for all levels, and will set original choreography for the pre-pro track! You can also catch her performing with us all on July 28! We couldn't be more excited to welcome her to this year's faculty!
STYLES FACULTY
African
Jazz
Samba
Jazz
Click below to take a look at our schedule:
Our intensive week closes with a show featuring TRI participants, faculty, live music and special guests! This year's TRI show will take place on Sunday, July 28th at The Great Hall in Toronto.
All intensive participants are invited to perform alongside TRI professionals, and special guests with live music.
OUR 3PM SHOW IS SOLD OUT!
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR OUR NEWLY ADDED
7:30PM SHOW BELOW:
TRI EXPLORES THE MUSIC OF:
MOTOWN
REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 1!
Our registration app will launch live on this webpage at 12:01am on May 1.
Register early to guarantee your spot, and take advantage of our early bird rate!
PRICING:
$550 + HST
EARLY BIRD:
Price sits at $500 + HST (save $50) for the month of May.
*Early bird discounts do not apply to teachers' rates or scholarship recipients.
WE ARE SOLD OUT!
Please click the button below to be added to our waitlist:
ATTENTION STUDIO OWNERS & TEACHERS!!!
If you bring 3 or more students, you can attend free of charge!
We'd love teachers, adjudicators, and studio owners to join us for the week!
Whether you're looking for some new ideas, broaden your philosophy, or learn more about the art form to add to your experience as an adjudicator, you're more than welcome to join us!
TEACHERS RATE:
$300 + HST
Please email Allison & Juliana to register as a teacher.
*Teachers' rate applies to teachers with 5+ years of professional experience, and are over the age of 25. For dancers/teachers between age 18-25 who would still like to attend the intensive, you are not alone and are more than welcome!
Regular student price applies.*
