HEATHER CORNELL

"...a feather in the cap of Columbia University. Heather is a 'living link' to the original rhythm tap masters." Lisa Jo Sagolla, Ed. D. Columbia University 

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Ms. Cornell has taught tap technique and history, choreography, pedagogy, improvisation, musicality and collaboration, vernacular jazz, and movement and dance for actors at universities throughout North America and Europe.  The blend of original material from her mentors, the development of her own style of concert tap, and her extensive work in collaboration with top musicians results in a teaching style that is rich with tradition, experience, musicality, and inspiration.  She lives in the world of multi-disciplinary art, equally comfortable collaborating with musicians, dancers and actors.   Her goal is to nurture individual artists to develop unique personal voices, as well as to encourage multi-discipline work, collaborative ease and fearless improvisation.  Her passion is in working with pre-professional dancers and she has decades of experience in mentoring emerging artists.

 

EXPERIENCE
Ms. Cornell has been a full time faculty member of Hope College's Dance Department in Holland, MI since 2020.  She has taught as faculty, adjunct, guest artist or in residence at Manhattanville College, Capilano University (CAN), Marymount Manhattan College, University of Alaska, Oklahoma City University, Dennison University, Simon Fraser University (CAN), Winstanley College (UK), British Theatre of Performing Arts College (UK), the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (UK), Saiford City College, (UK) and Columbia University Masters Program.  Since 1986, she has taught master classes at numerous universities, colleges, theater and dance companies, and music and dance festivals around the world.