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At the heart of our Michelin award-winning resort experience is our empowering, expert-led events.
Discover what resonates with you and gain fresh perspectives on physical, spiritual, and mental wellness.
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Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Gotta Dance at the Ranch™
With Guest Choreographers
Reserve your spot now for this limited capacity event.
Unleash the dancer in you. Experience doesn’t matter–this is all about expression, movement, and the magic of music. Gotta Dance is always one of the most popular events at Canyon Ranch Tucson. Guests return year after year to our Arizona wellness center for the pure joy of this uplifting retreat set in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the serenity of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Guest choreographers offer inspired classes for all levels. Jump into hip hop, ballet, jazz, Bollywood, and much more. If you have dance shoes – ballet, tap, or jazz, please bring those with you.
In addition to this event, you can enjoy all of the daily activities that Tucson, AZ offers. Explore our sample schedule.
For everyone! Whether you’re an experienced dancer or a first-timer, classes are fun, exciting, and a great workout.
- Some guests call this their “Dance Camp” and swear that this wellness retreat takes them back to childhood. Others say it’s about overcoming fears. Many see it as living a lifelong dream. Everyone calls it fun, exhilarating, and unforgettable!
- Guest Choreographers help you to unleash your inner dancer through a series of fun, exhilarating dance classes.
- Jump into hip-hop, ballet, jazz, Bollywood, and much more.
Tera-Lee Pollin
Tera-Lee is a professional dancer/choreographer, registered yoga teacher-500 hours, and a NASM certified personal trainer. She trained at Jacob's Pillow, The Joffrey Ballet School, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and David Howard Dance Center. She studied acting at The Lee Strasberg Institute and American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Some of her favorite performing credits are Mamma Mia! on Broadway (Dance Captain), Urban Cowboy and Hot Feet (Kalimba u/s) on Broadway, American Dance Machine 21 at The Joyce Theater, AEA National Tours of Spamalot (Dance Captain), and Fame. She has also enjoyed being part of The Wiz at La Jolla Playhouse, The Apollo Theatre's Club Harlem, Swing!, and working with David Parsons on the Festival di San Remo in Italy. Film/Television credits include Dark Horse (Dancing Bride), Old Dogs, The Smurfs, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Fashion Rocks. Tera-Lee has performed live with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kanye West, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Marc Anthony, Gloria Gaynor, The Lonely Island Boys (Featuring Akon), and Brian McNight.
Tera-Lee is on faculty at Marymount Manhattan College, Steps on Broadway, and The Joffrey Ballet School. She choreographed for Musiktheater Bavaria in Germany, CAP21/Molloy College, and is at guest choreographer for the exclusive Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, AZ, and Lenox, MA.
Eboni Adams
Originally from Austin, Texas, Eboni currently lives in Los Angeles, California. She has had a successful dance career in the commercial and concert world. Eboni has danced for Celine Dion to Cirque du Soleil to the Los Angeles Opera, to name a few. She considers herself an action figure...she keeps it moving. Not only does she have a love for dance but she’s also an actress and filmmaker. Her award-winning short film Grace was featured in over 10 film festivals and aired on local TV stations in over 25 cities. More recently, Eboni has transitioned from dancer to choreographer, working as a choreographer with the Fort Worth Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Atlanta Opera. Eboni is excited to be one of the guest teachers for “Gotta Dance” week.
Tamara Dyke-Compton
Tamara Dyke-Compton is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at The University of Arizona School of Dance in Tucson, Arizona. She teaches jazz technique, modern technique, choreography and dance ensemble. In addition, she also teaches a section of Dance History and Teaching Methods. She earned her MFA in dance with an emphasis in choreography and performance from the University of Arizona in 2013.
In 2003, she earned her BFA from the Juilliard School, under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy and Lawrence Rhodes. Tamara has been on faculty at many dance schools, community colleges and dance conventions across the U.S. and Canada. She has been on faculty for Dance Masters of America, Domain Forget in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and The Dance Project in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tamara has also subbed for David Marquez at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and The Alvin Ailey School in NYC. During the summers Tamara is the co-director of dance, with her husband Christopher Compton, at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Tamara has performed principal roles for Twyla Tharp, in her Broadway first national tour of Movin’ Out, from 2003-2008, and toured with the first national Broadway tour of “Fame” the musical from 1998-2000. She has appeared in various industrials, music videos, commercials and benefits performing with stars such as Paula Abdul, Patti LaBelle, Mary Kate and Ashley Olson and Ted Danson and working for choreographers such as Michael Rooney, Marguerite Derricks, Jimmy Locust and Joe Lanteri. Tamara has been a company member with NOVA Ballet and Convergence Ballet in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dancing with The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, Tamara was proud to perform the works of choreographers such as Robert Battle, Aszure Barton, Peter Chu, Darrell Grand Moultrie and Jose Limón. She was one of Aszure Barton’s first company members with Aszure Barton and Artists, at the Joyce Soho in NYC, Tamara also performed with Robert Battle’s Battleworks at City Center Studios in NYC. Her choreography has been seen at The Clark Studio Theatre in Lincoln Center, The Juilliard Theatre, Ballet Jazz De Montreal, Jazz World Congress, Tokyo Japan, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, Domain Forget Performing Arts Camp, The Stevie Eller Theatre, Scottsdale Community College, Glendale Community College and many dance schools across the USA and Canada.
Her choreography was chosen to be performed at The Benjamin Harkarvy Memorial at The Juilliard Theatre in 2002. During Tamara’s education at the University of Arizona she was able to choreograph the musicals “Nine” and “Batboy” the for University of Arizona School of Theatre Film and Television. Also, during her graduate degree she served as an adjudicator for The Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase. In 2013, Tamara was the recipient of The Ralphie Spirit Award from The University of Arizona School of Dance.
Sunday, April 21st
9 am Rockin’ Retro
Get your heart pumping and spark nostalgia in this low-impact class featuring fun and easy choreography set to music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
11 am Zumba
Feel the energy and move your body to fun and easy-to-follow Latin rhythms.
1 pm Let’s Tap
Unleash your inner dancer as you learn basic tap steps and fun choreography. Tap shoes not required; tap/dance sneakers recommended.
2 pm Desert Drumming
Burn calories, release stress, and feel the joy by drumming on a physio ball in this fun, invigorating class.
3 pm Buti Yoga
Primal movement, cardio dance, and conditioning are seamlessly woven throughout balanced yoga sequencing to give you an all-in-one workout that helps you transform your body and soul.
6 pm Choreographer Meet & Greet
Monday, April 22nd
8 am Choreography: Jazz
Learn a full jazz dance routine for four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin and end with a performance on the last day of class.
9 am Ballet
We will start at the barre and dance to classical music with exercises inspired by Tera-Lee Pollin’s classes at the Joffrey Ballet School. Ballet shoes or socks are recommended.
10 am Aqua Zumba
Join the Zumba® pool party. Splash, laugh, twist and shout in this fun, challenging cardio water workout that will leave you exhilarated and wanting more!
11 am Modern Dance
Begin by learning traditional modern dance floor work and progress to phrases based on Tamara Dyke-Compton’s training at the Juilliard School, where she studied the technique of Jose Limón and Martha Graham. Bare feet or socks are recommended.
1 pm Choreography: Disco
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton's choreography class and immerse yourself in the electrifying world of disco! Dance to a timeless tune as you learn original choreography that will transport you back to the glamorous era of disco fever.
2 pm Slow ‘n’ Steady
This feel-good jazz class led by guest choreographer Eboni Adams will have you gliding across the floor.
3 pm Bollywood
Learn Bollywood inspired choreography with guest choreographer, Tera-Lee Pollin.
4 pm Choreography: Country & Hip-Hop
Kick up your boots as guest choreographer Eboni Adams teaches you a line dance to hip-hop flavored country music.
Tuesday, April 23rd
8 am Choreography: Jazz
Learn a full jazz dance routine for four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin and end with a performance on the last day of class.
9 am Express Yourself
Join guest choreographer Eboni Adams as she guides you to create unique dance expressions using everyday movements.
10 am Musical Theatre Dance
Join guest choreographer Tamara Dyke-Compton in a jazz dance class and immerse yourself in a delightful blend of fun and storytelling with a captivating musical theatre narrative.
11 am DJ Dance Party
It's the can't-miss, high-energy cardio party. Dance instructors teach you to move and groove in this workout with attitude.
1 pm Choreography: Disco
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton's choreography class and immerse yourself in the electrifying world of disco! Dance to a timeless tune as you learn original choreography that will transport you back to the glamorous era of disco fever.
2 pm Popstar!
Awaken your inner backup dancer with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin, where you are encouraged to dance outside the box and bring your own personality to each movement.
3 pm Hip-Hop
Move and groove to the latest hip-hop jams as you learn the basics with guest choreographer Tamara Dyke-Compton.
4 pm Choreography: Country & Hip-Hop
Kick up your boots as guest choreographer Eboni Adams teaches you a line dance to hip-hop flavored country music.
Wednesday, April 24th
8 am Choreography: Jazz
Learn a full jazz dance routine for four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin and end with a performance on the last day of class.
9 am Ballet
We will start at the barre and dance to classical music with exercises inspired by Tera-Lee Pollin’s classes at the Joffrey Ballet School. Ballet shoes or socks are recommended.
10 am Jazz Basics
Discover the basics of jazz dance technique with Tamara Dyke-Compton as you master a lively and upbeat combination that will leave you feeling energized.
11 am Keep on Rolling
This high-energy dance class with guest choreographer Eboni Adams will have you moving and shaking… and, of course, rolling down the river.
1 pm Choreography: Disco
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton's choreography class and immerse yourself in the electrifying world of disco! Dance to a timeless tune as you learn original choreography that will transport you back to the glamorous era of disco fever.
2 pm Belly Dance
Shimmy and shake to this Middle Eastern dance as you move your hips and abs to the beat.
3 pm Disco
Dance the day away with songs from the 70's and Studio 54 Era. Freestyle and groove with guest choreographer Tamara Dyke-Compton while you tap into your inner disco queen.
4 pm Choreography: Country & Hip-Hop
Kick up your boots as guest choreographer Eboni Adams teaches you a line dance to hip-hop flavored country music.
Thursday, April 25th
8 am Choreography: Jazz
Learn a full jazz dance routine for four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin and end with a performance on the last day of class.
9 am Broadway Jazz
Learn a Broadway jazz routine with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin.
10 am Afrobeat Dance Groove
A fun fusion of traditional and modern-day African-derived movements led by guest choreographer Eboni Adams.
11 am DJ Dance Party
It's the can't-miss, high-energy cardio party. Dance instructors teach you to move and groove in this workout with attitude
1 pm Choreography: Disco
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton's choreography class and immerse yourself in the electrifying world of disco! Dance to a timeless tune as you learn original choreography that will transport you back to the glamorous era of disco fever.
2 pm Dance Funk
Groove to the music with guest choreographer Eboni Adams using jazz and hip-hop dance moves.
3 pm Fit Strip
This class takes some of the basic moves of the striptease and combines them with core-strengthening elements to create a fun and sexy workout.
4 pm Choreography: Country & Hip-Hop
Kick up your boots as guest choreographer Eboni Adams teaches you a line dance to hip-hop flavored country music.
Friday, April 26th
9am Lyrical
Let the music move you and dance from your heart with guest choreographer Tera Lee-Pollin.
11 am Zumba
Feel the energy and move your body to fun and easy-to-follow Latin rhythms.
