Class Descriptions

• Explanations
• Part I
• Part II - One day workshops
• Part II - Four day intensive courses

Explanations / Selitykset

Please note! Levels are not a matter of years, but of experience and exposure.

PART I: Intensive Program in Karis August 2-6

BEG, INT & ADV: Tribute to Carnell Lyons:
Kurt Albert & Klaus Bleis will teach steps and routines they learnt from their mentor, legendary Carnell Lyons in Berlin.

INT & ADV: Tribute to The Nicholas Brothers:
Chester Whitmore was the protégé of Fayard Nicholas until his death . He has also made a video a few years ago with him. Mr. Whitmore will demonstrate and teach steps the legendary Nicholas Brothers used to do.

INT & ADV: The Copasetics Chair Dance:
This version of the famous chair dance, originally created by the Copasetics, was passed to Josh Hilberman and the next generation by Brenda Bufalino.

PART II: One-Day Workshops Monday August 7

01 BEG & Low INT: Cornell/Rhythm Tap Technique:
A good solid technique class helping you to clean up your time and your weight shifts. Start right and your feet will be singing in no time!

02 BEG & Low INT: Albert & Bleis: Tribute to Carnell Lyons:
Kurt Albert & Klaus Bleis will teach steps and routines they learnt from their mentor, legendary Carnell Lyons from Kansas City/Missouri.The routines will be different from the ones in part I.

03 All: Max Pollak / Salsa (non-tap)
Mr Pollak will introduce you to the secrets of Afro-Cuban salsa through a couple dance called Rueda de Casino. You do not need your own couple with you for the class.

04 INT-ADV: Whitmore/Big Band Tap:
Learn fun steps to tunes from the 1930-40's swing bands for tap dancers.

PART II: Four-Day Intensive Courses in Helsinki August 8-11

05 All: Iwahori/Gumboot Dancing:
A high-energy class with its origins in dancing by South African miners and sugar cane workers. Wear sneakers or gumboots. This class might fill up quickly!

06 BEG & Low INT:Iwahori/Funk Tap:
Learn funky rhythms with an inspiring and versatile teacher that makes you feel comfortable in class.

07 All: Body Percussion/Pollak:
Stamping, your feet, slapping the body and singing in different rhythmic patterns. Wear sneakers! This class might fill up quickly!

08 BEG & Low INT: Pollak/Rhythm Tap:
Learn different ways of practising basic technique with correct weight shifts to make your feet move more fluently.

09 All: Whitmore/Vernacular Jazz:
Fun old jazz movements and steps danced in sneakers from the 1920-40's. Very useful also for tap dancers since it loosens up your body.

10 BEG & Low INT: Hilberman/Rhythm Tap:
Ms. Hilberman's teaching methods have been praised by many. He knows how to explain how to execute steps, make you feel comfortable in class and have fun.

11 INT-ADV: Hilberman/Buck & Wing Tap:
Learn the secrets to do wings and other traditional steps with an excellent teacher! This course is back because of the popularity in year 2003.

12 High INT: Albert & Bleis Aug. 8-9, Allonso & Font Aug. Aug. 10-11/TAP EUROPE:
Learn from European masters! Aug. 8-9: Steps/routines past on from the legendary Carnell Lyons taught by Kurt Albert and Klaus Bleis and Aug. 10-11: Tap with a Spanish flavour taught by Guillem Alonso and Roser Font.

13 INT-ADV: Cornell/Composition Ideas with Musicians:
As an experienced choreographer and performer with live music, Ms Cornell will give you useful hints on how to collaborate with musicians. Here is a chance to work directly with the musicians in a great learning environment. Besides tap dancing this class will include talking and discussions. English knowledge is recommendable. Limited space! The musicians will be announced later.

14 ADV: Cornell:/Tap -Visual Music:
Ms. Cornell's style is a culmination of many years of work with a number of mentors, many years of collaboration with world class musicians and hours on stage making "visual music". She is famous for her uncanny phrasing and her gentle musicality. In the class she will mix tap traditions with her own contemporary style and take you to a new level.

15 High INT: Dorrance/Funk Tap:
Learn funky rhythms with an experienced dancer, who has been dancing for many years with the big name for the new generation of dancers: Savion Glover. Ms Dorrance's own choreographic work has been highly appreciated.

16 ADV: Dorrance/Funk Tap:
See No. 15.