2015-2016 SEASON
Rehearsals
Tuesdays 7:00-8:30pm
Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm
1st Saturday of the month 1pm-4pm.
Parent Meetings
1st Tues of the month 7-8:00pm
Performances
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Trail of Lights
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Of Mice and Music - The Long Center
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VIR/VIM/JVIR Showcase March - Zilker
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May Choreography Showcase
Guest Master Classes & Lectures TBA
Visions In Rhythm
WHAT IS VIR?
Visions In Rhythm is Tapestry’s Pre-Apprentice Youth Company. VIR operates under the umbrella of Tapestry Dance Company’s Founders: Artistic Director Acia Gray and Tapestry Educational Director Deirdre Strand. This junior level company is directed by Caitin McGee (see bio below). VIR explores the Tapestry philosophy through the rehearsal process and public performance. The VIR members rehearse with guest and resident choreographers in the development of multi-form works in genres such as ballet, modern, jazz, tap and body percussion. VIR has presented works at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Youth Tap Conference (Chicago, IL), Third Coast Rhythm Project’s National Tap Day Celebration (San Antonio, TX), Texas Youth Dance Festival (Austin, TX) and the Soul to Sole Tap Festival Showcase (Austin, TX). Numerous VIR alumi have attained professional dance careers including companies such as Tapestry Dance Company, STOMP, Doug Varone & Dancers and more.
WHAT ARE VIR REQUIREMENTS?
Members of VIR are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 4 hours of technique classes per week in addition to the VIR technique classes totaling 7 hours of technique (proficient in three disciplines) and 3 hours of rehearsal. Although 4 hours are required, 4-6 hours are highly encouraged, with at least one technique class to include ballet and 1 class to include tap. VIR dancers rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:30pm and the 1st Saturday of the month 1pm to 4pm.
Additional rehearsals may be called at the director’s discretion to prepare for performances. There will be a VIR spring performance with additional performances opportunities throughout the season, including outreach shows. VIR dancers will perform in at least three stage performances during the season.
HOW DO I BECOME A PART OF VIR?
Auditions for VIR are held at the beginning of September each year (See Schedule at right). Dancers MUST arrive 30 minutes prior to the audition to complete paper work and warm up. Auditions include a ballet, modern, jazz, tap and improvisation section. There is a $15.00 audition fee for all dancers. Dancers ages 12-18 (with considerations made on a case by case basis for exceptionally strong 11 year olds) who are enrolled in Tapestry youth academy classes are eligible and are encouraged to audition!The students will be evaluated by a panel of highly-qualified instructors, including the VIR director and Tapestry co-founder Deirdre Strand. If chosen for membership, they will be selected as either a full member or an apprentice, based on their technical and artistic strength and potential for growth.
VIR DIRECTOR - CAITLIN MCGEE
Caitlin McGee hails from Little Rock, Arkansas. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Alabama, Caitlin became Dance Captain on Disney Cruise Line. After two years with Disney, Caitlin made her move to New York. Since then she has been featured on many New York stages, such as, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Highline Ballroom, Paul Taylor Studios, S.O.B’s, and Symphony Space, to name a few. Performance credits include: Featured promotional performer for Nike, principal role in the Andrea Torres Dance Company, the “Upfronts” with USA Network, where she shared the stage with the cast of the hit television show, “Psych,” as well as, a featured dancer for China’s Got Talent. Caitlin has been a long time performer in Carnival Choreographers Ball, as a featured dancer for accredited choreographers, Robert Taylor Jr. and Deborah Wilson. She has also performed in Jared Grimes “Run the Night.” Caitlin was Co-Choreographer and Director for “Pieces,” a NY performance benefiting women with breast cancer. She was also dance captain for Italian music sensation, Simona Rodano, in the CBS Columbus Day parade. Caitlin has been featured in a number of national commercials, including AOL and AT&T, as well as music videos with such artists as Robert Taylor Jr. from So You Think You Can Dance. Caitlin was the Assistant Choreographer to Deborah Wilson for the Off-Broadway musical, “Futurology,” and the assistant to Lane Napper for the hit children’s musical tour, “Freckleface Strawberry.” Caitlin taught through out the NY area, including Broadway Dance Center. She continues to travel the country teaching at conventions, master classes, workshops, and intensives. Caitlin is thrilled to start a new chapter in Austin, where she hopes to create and inspire in an already thriving community.
