Rhythm, Roots & Improvisation
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Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location: The Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver BC
Time: 4:45 - 6:00pm
This workshops is accessible to dancers, musicians, students and community members of any level.
Tap Dance and jazz share a common language: rhythm, improvisation and conversation.
Led by tap dancer Johnathan Morin with live music by jazz guitarist Nathan Hiltz, this workshop explores practical tools for improvising with musicians. Participants will experiment with groove, call and response, trading phrases, musical form, dynamics, space and listening. The focus is not on having the biggest vocabulary, but on learning how to make clear musical choices, how to hear what is happening, respond in the moment, and contribute your own rhythmic voice.
Come ready to listen, experiment and play.
JOHNATHAN MORIN is a 35 year old Indigenous (Nehiyaw) tap dancer hailing from Treaty 6, Edmonton, AB. Now residing in Treaty 16, Toronto, ON, he is a force in the tap dance community, known across the country and world. A Dora Award Nominee and city of Toronto 2026 Breakthrough Artist finalist, Johnathan co-produces and co-directs Rhythm & Sound Dance Company alongside Cori Giannotta. His passion for the dance has brought him across the country as well as internationally as a performer and educator. Some of his accolades include Tap Ahead Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany, Percussive Dance Festival in Paris, France, Tap Liege in Liege, Belgium, Tap City Festival in New York City, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project, Vancouver International Tap Festival, Fall For Dance North and The Toronto International Tap Festival.
With his talent, dedication and impressive list of accomplishments, Johnathan Morin is sure to continue making waves in the world
NATHAN HILTZ is a jazz guitarist and music educator. He has worked with Alex Pangman, Smokey Robinson, Sheila Jordan, Brandi Diserheft, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Toronto Concert Orchestra, The Art of Time Ensemble and in 2022 shared The Meridian Hall stage to play duets with Michael Buble. Nathan teaches at Humber Polytechnic and at Grace Church on the Hill, where he serves as the People’s Warden and leads Tiny Guitars, a non-profit program for children ages 8-12. Nathan has a bachelor of music from Humber College and a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from The University of Toronto.
Nathan is a long time musical collaborator of Johnathan Morin’s and helped bring Johnathan’s music to live in Restorative Culture: Johnathan Morin.
Location: The Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver BC
Time: 4:45 - 6:00pm
This workshops is accessible to dancers, musicians, students and community members of any level.
Tap Dance and jazz share a common language: rhythm, improvisation and conversation.
Led by tap dancer Johnathan Morin with live music by jazz guitarist Nathan Hiltz, this workshop explores practical tools for improvising with musicians. Participants will experiment with groove, call and response, trading phrases, musical form, dynamics, space and listening. The focus is not on having the biggest vocabulary, but on learning how to make clear musical choices, how to hear what is happening, respond in the moment, and contribute your own rhythmic voice.
Come ready to listen, experiment and play.
JOHNATHAN MORIN is a 35 year old Indigenous (Nehiyaw) tap dancer hailing from Treaty 6, Edmonton, AB. Now residing in Treaty 16, Toronto, ON, he is a force in the tap dance community, known across the country and world. A Dora Award Nominee and city of Toronto 2026 Breakthrough Artist finalist, Johnathan co-produces and co-directs Rhythm & Sound Dance Company alongside Cori Giannotta. His passion for the dance has brought him across the country as well as internationally as a performer and educator. Some of his accolades include Tap Ahead Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany, Percussive Dance Festival in Paris, France, Tap Liege in Liege, Belgium, Tap City Festival in New York City, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project, Vancouver International Tap Festival, Fall For Dance North and The Toronto International Tap Festival.
With his talent, dedication and impressive list of accomplishments, Johnathan Morin is sure to continue making waves in the world
NATHAN HILTZ is a jazz guitarist and music educator. He has worked with Alex Pangman, Smokey Robinson, Sheila Jordan, Brandi Diserheft, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Toronto Concert Orchestra, The Art of Time Ensemble and in 2022 shared The Meridian Hall stage to play duets with Michael Buble. Nathan teaches at Humber Polytechnic and at Grace Church on the Hill, where he serves as the People’s Warden and leads Tiny Guitars, a non-profit program for children ages 8-12. Nathan has a bachelor of music from Humber College and a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from The University of Toronto.
Nathan is a long time musical collaborator of Johnathan Morin’s and helped bring Johnathan’s music to live in Restorative Culture: Johnathan Morin.
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Where is it happening?
The Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherWest Coast Tap Dance Collective
