HEATHER CORNELL

Heather's Tap Labs are a place for focused, independent learning in a supportive community environment.  The classes are kept small to encourage one on one communication between musicians and dancers and to nurture an understanding of the collaborative nature of music and dance.   Heather strongly believes that artists should learn in the process of creativity, not imitation, and so supports the students in developing their own unique voice through discovery and listening. 

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“After spending some 40 hours of interviews and countless hours in the studio I can say that Heather’s tap labs is a must for any tap dancer looking for a formative, challenging, and inspiring experience.”   Anthony Morigerato - Dancer, Choreographer, Director, Producer

 

And here is what happens:

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We start the morning with a musical tap technique class.  This is not just a regular technique class, it is one that connects your tap technique directly to the many styles of music that we'll be working with.  We'll discuss the way that we practice and draw inspiration and new approaches in collaboration with musicians. Live music.  You'll be working on nuances of phrasing, tonality, time and groove - in the music and the dance.

 

At noon we take a break, talk tap, eat some lunch on campus or downtown Holland, which is a few blocks away, or just take a walk, go for a swim or work out in the gym.  On the weeks in collaboration with a musician, there will be a music session once or twice, where you can ask specific questions directly of the musician.  On the other days, the studio is open and available and the students are encouraged to further their work as a community, or just play together.

 

In the afternoon/early evening there is a 3 hour session where we focus on the theme of the week in our "Tap Lab". 

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During the evening we have many options.  We can seek out music jams in the Holland/Grand Rapids clubs and bring our shoes.  We may spend a few evenings watching videos from Heather's private collection.  Or we may meet for a drink and talk tap.  And then there is always the beach as we are just a short walk to Lake Macatawa and a short drive to Lake Michigan.

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Info will be up soon about the weekly themes and musical collaborators.  Just click on the the "classes" link.

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