2026 Residencies for RIFF!!!

 

RIFF Dallas 2026 Residencies

We are excited to offer 2 unique residencies this year at RIFF Dallas 2026!

  • Charles Renato Live Band Experience - Back by popular demand, Charles will premiere his second RIFF Dallas residency work on our concert stage at the TAPN2TAP Concert, Sunday, January 18, 2026 at the Eisemann Center. Experience the excitement of Charles Renato and his amazing rhythms, along with his creative point of view on the art of tap dance.

  • Maddie Murphy Youth Residency - Created specifically for high level tap dancers aged 10-13, this piece will perform at the TAPN2TAP Concert, Sunday, January 18, 2026 at the Eisemann Center. Experience a professional work environment where you can practice your performance skills while bonding with other dancers and the choreographer. Three days packed with learning, growing, and performing!

 

Residencies are opportunities for students to work closely with leading industry professionals and to experience being a part of the choreographic process of each artist.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • Submit an online application using the “APPLY FOR RESIDENCY” button.

  • Send an email to riffdallastap@gmail.com with a video demonstrating level and ability.

  • Register for a trac at RIFF Dallas 2025. Only applicants that have registered for RIFF will be considered for placement.

  • Check your email for information on acceptance. Space is limited for each residency.

 
 

THE CHARLES RENATO RESIDENCY

About Charles…

Charles Renato was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At age of 14 he began teaching tap dance and traveling all over the country.

Charles moved to the United States in 2014 and since then he has been working all over the world teaching in festivals and workshops. He taught and performed in over 15 countries in Europe, North, Central and South America. He also performed with Apt 33 directed by Chloe Arnold, Dorrance Dance directed by Michelle Dorrance and Caleb Teicher and Co. directed by Caleb Teicher. Currently he is part of DANCE ONE, the largest holding company of dance brands in the world, as part of 24 Seven Dance convention judging and teaching TAP. Since 2015, Charles is the Artistic Director of Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble and a faculty member of Metropolitan School of the Arts. He is also a former faculty member at Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway.

Charles’ Live Band Experience will begin on Friday morning, January 16, 2026 and his piece will perform in the TAPN2TAP Concert on Sunday, January 18, 2026

Rehearsal times:

Friday, January 16 2026 8:30am-12:00pm & 12:30pm-4:30pm

Saturday, January 17, 2025 TBD

Sunday, January 18, 2026 Tech Rehearsal TBD; Concert 7PM

*For dancers 14+

maddie murphy youth residency

About Maddie…

Maddie Murphy is a NYC based performer, teacher and choreographer originally from Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Booker T Washington High School of Performing and Visual Arts, and was named a YoungArts finalist. In 2021 Maddie achieved her BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University training in multiple styles of dance, and is an alumni of the 2019 Jacob’s Pillow tap program. Some of her credits include: The Nutcracker Suite, Untitled Waveforms, Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude with Dorrance Dance, understudy for What is This Thing Called Love directed by Derick K. Grant, Lucid Dream and Ser Humano choreographed by Max Pollak, and Dance Lab New York. Maddie is also on faculty at the tap dance festival, RIFF Dallas, and the tap summer workshop, Woodshed Experience.

Maddie’s Youth Residency is designed for dancers 10-13 years old. We are excited to premier this work at our TAPN2TAP Concert!

Rehearsals will begin on Friday morning, January 17, 2025 and this piece will perform in the TAPN2TAP Concert on Sunday, January 19th, 2025

Rehearsal times:

Friday, January 17, 2025 9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm

Saturday, January 18, 2025 8:00am-8:45am

Sunday, January 19, 2025 - Tech Rehearsal time TBA; Concert 7:00pm

 
derick grant live band experience

D Grant presents…After Dark

A new creation especially for RIFF Dallas More information to be announced!

About Derick…

Derick K. Grant is a native of Boston, where he trained with his aunt Andrea Herbert Major at The Roxbury Center For the Performing Arts. At age 8 that training led to a mentorship by tap greats Dianne Walker and Jimmy Slyde.

At 18 he joined The Jazz Tap Ensemble, directed by Lynn Dally, where he won the Princess Grace Award for outstanding young performer. He was an original member of Bring In Da Noise Bring In Da Funk, created and directed by George C. Wolf, and choreographed by Savion Glover, where he became dance captain and later the lead for the first national tour. Mr. Grant is also the creator, director, and choreographer of Imagine Tap, a show that featured the world’s best tap dancers, co-creator of The Blues Project, winner of the Bessie Award with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Michelle Dorrance, and Toshi Reagan. He was also choreographer and featured performer in And Still You Must Swing, featured at Jacob’s Pillow and the Joyce Theater. He is one of the directors at The School at Jacob’s Pillow and is also on staff at Boston Conservatory. Mr. Grant is a highly sought after teacher who continues to teach at festivals and workshops worldwide.

ALREADY ACCEPTED?

See the info below and register if you have received your acceptance letter.