Australian Tap Dance Festival 2020

9th Annual Tap Dance Fest Comes to You!

Adapted for In Studio and Online Classes | Sept 26 – 28

This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Australian Tap Dance Festival (ATDF). Usually tappers descend on Melbourne each year for the ATDF, but due to Covid19 this year’s event will be presented with a combination of both in-studio and online events which can be accessed by everyone, everywhere!

The Australian Tap Dance Festival (ATDF) is looking forward to connecting with the community and dancing together again. Being surrounded by like minded people who love tap as much as you do will really give you a sense of belonging and family at the festival and everyone is welcome.

The ATDF is the only one of its kind in Australasia.

For 2020, ATDF are bringing a taste of the festival direct to your home ⏤ being committed to supporting the tap industry and bringing you amazing tap experiences. Come and join ATDF for a special event where there will be a range of masterclasses, choreography and showcases online and in person to offer something for all levels and ages, no matter where you are located.

The event brings together the tap community from across Australia and New Zealand and the public to learn, share, meet and enjoy all things Tap. In 2020, ATDF have combined live and pre-recorded classes online to provide access to everyone.

2020 will see in-studios sessions held in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane; with additional online masterclasses offered for Australian and New Zealand dancers.

What makes this special? The ATDF has selected a high calibre faculty from across Australia and around the world to conduct a series of tap masterclasses and special events, ensuring there is something for everyone. Teachers will include: Christine Denny, Sam Marks, Nathaniel Hancock, Winston Morrison, Sarah Reich, Fiona Scott, Leanne Driel, Peta Anderson, Tania Chodasewicz, Thomas Egan, and Dein Perry. The online schedule for Australia and NZ include even more great tap names! Check them out at australiantapdancefestival.com.au/schedule/

The festival is a once-a-year chance in Australia to experience something different and expand your style and techniques at an accelerated rate, in a high immersion environment, in a short span of time. The intensive nature, and access to faculty artists at the top of their field, at this one place and time, plays a big part in the amazing experience you will enjoy at this festival. Connecting with like minded people who love tap as much as you do will really give you a sense of belonging and family whether in person or via the online classes.

FAQs

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
The event is an all-ages event and there are no restrictions on any of the scheduled events – everyone welcome! Participants range from 6 – 80 years of age, there are no limits!

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
The location of all the venues are conveniently near tram and train lines. There is limited parking in the area but there is all day parking available. We recommend using public transport during the weekdays.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Once purchased, tickets are transferrable.

What is the refund policy?
If the event is required to be cancelled, refunds will be available or a transfer of credit to the following year. Outside these circumstances there are no refunds. You can transfer your tickets to another person.

What if one of my classes are cancelled?
If cancellation or change of teacher occurs, you will be notified and have the option of booking an alternative class or obtaining a refund.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No you do not required a printed ticket, you can download the EventBrite app to store your tickets electronically. You will receive instructions on this with your ticket that is sent once purchased.

How do I know what level to register for?
If this is your first festival experience and you are unsure which level to register for, please contact the organisers www.atdf.com.au and they can assist. Please note the level of classes at the festival are higher than regular studio dance classes you may take. We do encourage you to challenge yourself to get the most benefit from the experience. Please note, for residencies, if on the first day you find you have registered for an incorrect level (too easy/too hard), you can switch on the first day to an available alternative. Places are limited so book early.

What is a 5 day Choreography Residency?
By registering in residencies, you will do a progressive, intensive 90 minute classes everyday for 5 days with the residency teacher/s of your choice.
Technique and drills will also be covered at the beginning of each 90 minute class. At the end, students will have the opportunity to perform this routine on stage at the 2020 Australian Tap Dance Festival Show on Saturday 3 October.
At the end of the five days all students will have a polished routine – something memorable to walk away from the festival with, in addition to enhanced technique and relationship building.
Due to the consistency and intensity of these residencies you will enjoy building strong connections and relationships with your teachers and fellow dancers in these residencies.
To get the most out of the festival, we encourage you to take as many residencies as possible (maximum of 3 per dancer) so that you can benefit from a range of teachers, each with their own gifts, inspiration and style you can incorporate into your own tap style and repertoire. Residency experiences are something you will remember the most, long after a festival is over. If you get to perform your residency piece in the Festival Show, you will be backstage for the duration of the concert so please do not purchase a show ticket for yourself.

What are Masterclasses?
In masterclasses you will learn from our selected tap masters on the faculty who will share with you tap warmups, techniques, new steps and combinations and their approach to the dance which is quite diverse across the faculty. Each masterclass is totally separate from each other, and all run for a jam-packed 90 minutes each!
Taking place all week during the festival, choose which teachers you would like to learn from. When registering for Masterclasses (maximum 4 per day available), choose no more than one per time slot and according to your level. Places are limited so book early.

Where can I learn more about the faculty and their style of Tap?
We encourage you to check out the Faculty page on the website: www.atdf.com.au for biographies of each faculty member including video footage.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
The organisers can be contacted anytime via email and between the hours of 9am – 5pm on 0403 138 275.