Our program includes a variety of ways to get connected to and love the art of tap dancing – and further enhance your own unique voice, style and artistry. You can find out about what’s on right now on our website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Below is a summary of what opportunities we offer (programming varies throughout the year, and year-to-year). Whenever we can, we work with live music, and we welcome partners for program delivery:

Classes:  A focus on rhythm, music, history, culture, rooted jazz dance movement and musicianship, scheduled at different times and venues throughout the year.

Workshops:  Special classes instructed by local, national and international guest dance and music artists to inspire you and take your rhythmical awareness and dancing to new heights. We offer sessions on traditional rhythm tap repertoire, tap talks, seminars, film screenings, etc.

Tap Jams:  Community events for dancers and musicians of all ages and levels to gather, share rhythms, and create new ones.

Artistic development: Committed to developing Ottawa’s tap dance artistry, the ORI offers opportunities for local dancers (selected via an interview and audition process) through the ORI Ensemble to further enhance and deepen their own artistic practice and voice. Through this unique professional development opportunity, the ORI Ensemble collaborates with other artists, musicians and educators to deepen their practice and produce new work, perform and support community outreach.

We also celebrate Tap Dance Day (May 25) with community programming for the public.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for our up-to-date programming.

For more information:  ottawarhythminitiative@gmail.com.