Overview

IFTRA or Institute for the Rhythmic Arts, is a multidisciplinary training program and workshop series for tap dancers, percussive artist and musicians.

Its primary goal is to bring these worlds together through classes, performances, workshops, and events. To educate on the history and legacy of percussive arts and dance, and to expose the students and participants to a varied and expansive pallet of experiences and knowledge. To create spaces that spark conversation and sharing.

To allow each participant to experience how these disciplines may influence their own craft. To inspire dancers to play music, and musicians to dance.

This Summer we are excited to present a weekend workshop at the esteemed 92nd Street Y in New York City. Our faculty for this intensive is Nicholas Young, Derick Grant, Joseph Webb, Leonardo Sandoval and Greg Richardson with additional guest teachers and musicians. There will be classes in Tap Dance, Body Percussion, Music Studies and more. This workshop is geared towards advanced and professional dancers. Participants will be able to choose a single day of classes or sign up for the entire 6 day workshop.

Workshop Schedule

Monday:
10-11 am: Check in/Meet and Greet/Registration
11 am-12 pm: Warm up/Technique with Nicholas Van Young
12-1:30 pm: Master Class with Derick Grant
1:30-2:30 pm: Lunch
2:30-4 pm: Master Class with Joseph Webb
4-5 pm: Lecture/Clinic with Guest Teacher

Tuesday:
10-10:30 am: Warm up/Technique with Nicholas Van Young
10:30 am-12 pm: Body Percussion with Nicholas Van Young
12-1:30 pm: Master Class with Derick Grant
1:30-2:30 pm: Lunch
2:30-4 pm: Choreography and Performance – Choreographed by Nicholas Van Young with Improvisation by participants
4-5 pm: Lecture/Clinic with Guest

Wednesday:
10-10:30 am: Warm up/Technique with Nicholas Van Young
10:30 am-12 pm: Master Class with Leonardo Sandoval and Greg Richardson
12-1:30 pm: Improvisation with Derick Grant
1:30-2:30 pm: Lunch
2:30-5 pm: Choreography and Performance – Choreographed by Nicholas Van Young with Improvisation by participants

Thursday:
10-10:30 am: Warm up/Technique with Nicholas Van Young
10:30 am-12 pm: Master Class with Leonardo Sandoval and Greg Richardson
12-1:30 pm: Improvisation with Derick Grant
1:30-2:30 pm: Lunch
2:30-5 pm: Choreography and Performance – Choreographed by Nicholas Van Young with Improvisation by participants

Friday:
10-11:30 am: Community Body Percussion class with Nicholas Young (Open Level, all Welcome)
12-1:30 pm: Choreography and Performance – Choreographed by Nicholas Van Young with Improvisation by participants
1:30-2 pm: Break
2-5 pm: Choreography and Performance – Choreographed by Nicholas Van Young with Improvisation by participants
5:30-7:30 pm: Live Music Jam Session, Informal and open to the public

Saturday:
10-11:30 am: Community Class Open to the Public
12-5 pm: Rehearsal/Tech/Prep for performance
7 pm: Performance (Ticketed and Open to the public)