Nicholas Young

Nicholas Van Young is a dancer, musician, choreographer, and a 2014 Bessie Award recipient. He began his professional career at age 16 under Acia Gray and Deidre Strand with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, Texas, eventually rising to principal dancer and resident choreographer. Since moving to New York, he has performed with Manhattan Tap, RumbaTap, Dorrance Dance, and Beat the Donkey; he has toured as a drummer for Darwin Deez; and he spent almost a decade performing with STOMP, where he performed the lead role and acted as rehearsal director. Young tours both nationally and internationally teaching and performing at various tap festivals, and founded Sound Movement dance company and IFTRA, the Institute for the Rhythmic Arts. He is thrilled to have found a home with Dorrance Dance, co-creating and developing ETM: Double Down, and the Guggenheim Rotunda Project, both collaborative efforts with Michelle Dorrance.

Trudy Hipwell 

Calgary-based drummer and percussionist Trudy Hipwell is a specialist in West African drumming music from Guinea, primarily on djembe and dununs.  She has been fortunate to study extensively with prominent West African artists, in particular Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate.  Trudy traveled to Guinea with Mr Keita to experience the music and culture of Guinea first hand.

With 20+ years’ experience in the genre, Trudy leads dance accompaniment ensembles in Calgary’s lively West African dance community, teaches through prominent studios and educational institutions, and performs with many of her talented colleagues.

Trudy is also an accomplished conga player.  She has studied with world-class artists, including members of Los Munequitos de Matanzas in Cuba.  She plays in AfroCuban dance accompaniment ensembles, and performs with local Latin dance bands.

Her delight and joy in all of these genres – the rhythms, the energy and heart inherent in them – move her to share her skills and knowledge with others.  And as Mr Keita would always say, “This music is for everyone.”

Tasha Lawson

Tasha Lawson is an internationally recognized educator, performer, choreographer, artistic director, and festival producer with over 25 years of experience. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Tri-Tone Productions, she is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and advancing tap dance and percussive arts. Tri-Tone fosters a vibrant community of artists, musicians, and audiences through immersive experiences that inspire technical growth, creativity, and collaboration. Signature programs and events include the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble, Tri-Tone Teacher Training Program, Lawson Percussive Dance Arts Company, Rhythm, Body and Soul Festival, National Tap Day Celebration, and Tap and Percussive Arts Summer Intensive.

Respected for developing well-rounded dancers, Ms. Lawson has provided students with the foundation to pursue professional careers through training in technique, musicality, composition, and history, while nurturing creativity and discipline. Her students have been accepted into prestigious programs such as Jacob’s Pillow and Escola Luthier, and performed with renowned companies like STOMP and Dorrance Dance.

A graduate with honours in Dance Teacher Training and Performance from Grant MacEwan University, Tasha began her career as a modern dancer and educator in Vancouver before relocating to New York City to study rhythm tap and music. She has had the privilege of working with legendary artists including Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Roxanne Butterfly, Heather Cornell, Max Pollak, Barbara Phillips, Arthur Duncan, Harold Cromer, Jeni LeGon, Fayard Nicholas, and others who have influenced her creative path.

Tasha toured internationally for six years with Tapestry Dance Company, under Acia Gray, and served as Artistic Director of its apprentice company, Visions in Rhythm, creating six full-length concert works. From 2010 to 2011, she toured the United States and Japan as Assistant Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA, where she was responsible for maintaining show quality and overseeing artist integration, and has led body percussion workshops for Cirque du Soleil casts in Las Vegas.

In 2010, she was invited by Dianne Walker to join the faculty of the inaugural Jacob’s Pillow Professional Tap Program, and continues to contribute to the preservation of Leon Collins’ repertoire. Her residencies include Capilano University, University of Calgary, University of Texas, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Harbour Dance ITP, and international festivals such as Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Vancouver International Tap Festival, Third Coast Rhythm Project, Soul to Sole, Brazil’s Biennale de Dança, and Germany’s Tanzhaus Festival.

Inspired by body percussion masters Keith Terry (USA) and Fernando Barba (Brazil), Tasha developed a technique transcribing tap repertoire to body percussion, presented at the International Body Music Festival in the United States, France, and Greece.

Grateful for the mentorship she has received, Tasha remains committed to sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of dancers: “When curiosity and inspiration are ignited, work ethic, technical skills, and creative expression are elevated.”