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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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Dec 8 - 13, 2024
Gotta Dance at the Ranch™
With Guest Choreographers
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 resort for the pure joy of this uplifting five-day retreat in the scenic Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the serenity of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Guest choreographers offer inspired classes and workshops 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.
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 Chirstopher 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.
Elijah Gibson
Elijah Gibson is a teacher and choreographer in demand from San Diego, California, where he attended San Diego School for the Performing Arts. Mr. Gibson is overjoyed to have joined the faculty of his Alma Mater at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Mr. Gibson joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in 2000, where he performed for eight years. He has worked with or performed the works of the late Gus Giordano, Margo Sappington, Christopher Huggins, Jon Lehrer, Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, Randy Duncan, Tony Powell, Ron De Jesus, and Davis Robertson, among many others.
Elijah also had the privilege of guest performing with Instruments of Movement, Cirque River Dance Theater, and Specialty Tap Chicago, to name a few. He has performed and taught throughout the United States, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Latvia, Spain, Ecuador, Canada, and Mexico. He has served on the faculties of the American College Dance Festival Association, Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Leon Dance Arts NY, and Key West Modern Dance, to name a few.
Dance companies have performed his choreography nationally and internationally, such as Nomi Lamad, Inaside Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, Jayson Tisa Dance Company, City Dance Company of Houston, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago II, and Naway Dance Company, as well as university dance ensembles throughout the country. Upon his transition into teaching in higher education, he has been on faculty at Shenandoah University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been fortunate to dabble in every aspect of the arts, from dance to theater to film.
Sunday, December 8th
10 a.m. 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 a.m. Zumba
Feel the energy and move your body to fun and easy-to-follow Latin rhythms.
2 p.m. R&B Line Dance Groove
Join this energetic line dance class set to classic and modern R&B hits! No partner needed—just step, slide, and spin to smooth beats. Perfect for beginners and experienced dancers of all fitness levels.
4 p.m. Hula
Join us to learn a hula ‘auana from the islands of Hawai’i, where we’ll tell a story through graceful movement and dance.
5:30 p.m. Gotta Dance™ Choreographer Meet & Greet
Stop by the community table in Vaquero to meet the guest choreographers of Gotta Dance at the Ranch™: Tera-Lee Pollin, Tamara Dyke-Compton, and Elijah Gibson.
Monday, December 9th
8 a.m. Choreography
Jazz Dance: Learn a complete jazz dance routine over four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin, culminating in a performance on the final day of class.
9 a.m. Ballet
Start at the barre with exercises set to classical music, inspired by Tera-Lee Pollin’s study at the Joffrey Ballet School. Ballet shoes or socks are recommended.
10 a.m. Hip-Hop
Move and groove to the latest hip-hop jams as you learn the basics with guest choreographer Tamara Dyke-Compton.
11 a.m. Gus Giordano Jazz
Explore the Gus Giordano technique with guest choreographer Elijah Gibson, through warm-up, across-the-floor exercises, and a culminating combination.
1 p.m. Choreography: Fosse Style
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton to learn Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. Master his iconic jazz style with intricate moves, isolations, and dramatic flair. Groove, twist, and express like never before!
**2 p.m. Country Jazz
Learn some line dancing and two-step with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin.
3 p.m. Let’s Tap
Unleash your inner dancer with choreographer Elijah Gibson as you learn basic tap steps and fun choreography. Tap shoes are not required, but tap or dance sneakers are recommended.
4 p.m. Choreography
Ease on Down: Learn choreography from a well-known musical, taught by choreographer Elijah Gibson, that brings an uplifting, soulful twist to the classic story of the young girl from Kansas, celebrating resilience and joy.
Tuesday, December 10th
8 a.m. Choreography Jazz Dance
Learn a complete jazz dance routine over four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin, culminating in a performance on the final day of class.
9 a.m. Hip-Hop Style
Take your workout to the next level and get funky as you learn a fun hip-hop routine with choreographer Elijah Gibson.
10 a.m. 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.
11 a.m. 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 p.m. Choreography: Fosse Style
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton to learn Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. Master his iconic jazz style with intricate moves, isolations, and dramatic flair. Groove, twist, and express like never before!
2 p.m. Bollywood
Learn Bollywood inspired choreography with guest choreographer, Tera-Lee Pollin.
3 p.m. Modern Dance
Begin with traditional modern dance floor work and progress to phrases based on choreographer 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.
4 p.m. Choreography
Ease on Down: Learn choreography from a well-known musical, taught by choreographer Elijah Gibson, that brings an uplifting, soulful twist to the classic story of the young girl from Kansas, celebrating resilience and joy.
Wednesday, December 11th
8 a.m. Choreography Jazz Dance
Learn a complete jazz dance routine over four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin, culminating in a performance on the final day of class.
9 a.m. Ballet
Start at the barre with exercises set to classical music, inspired by Tera-Lee Pollin’s study at the Joffrey Ballet School. Ballet shoes or socks are recommended.
10 a.m. Hip-Hop Style
Take your workout to the next level and get funky as you learn a fun hip-hop routine with choreographer Elijah Gibson.
11 a.m. 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.
1 p.m. Choreography
Fosse Style: Join Tamara Dyke-Compton to learn Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. Master his iconic jazz style with intricate moves, isolations, and dramatic flair. Groove, twist, and express like never before!
2 p.m. Afro-Haitian Dance
Embrace the joy of dance and improve your fitness as you move to the infectious beats of Afro-Caribbean music.
3 p.m. Jazz Basics
Discover the basics of jazz dance technique and master a lively, upbeat combination with choreographer Tamara Dyke-Compton, leaving you feeling energized.
4 p.m. Choreography: Ease on Down
Learn choreography from a well-known musical, taught by choreographer Elijah Gibson, that brings an uplifting, soulful twist to the classic story of the young girl from Kansas, celebrating resilience and joy.
Thursday, December 12th
8 a.m. Choreography: Jazz Dance
Learn a complete jazz dance routine over four days with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin, culminating in a performance on the final day of class.
9 a.m. Gus Giordano Jazz
Explore the Gus Giordano technique with guest choreographer Elijah Gibson, through warm-up, across-the-floor exercises, and a culminating combination.
10 a.m. Mambo Style
Have the time of your life in this upbeat class with guest choreographer Tera-Lee Pollin.
11 a.m. 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 p.m. Choreography: Fosse Style
Join Tamara Dyke-Compton to learn Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. Master his iconic jazz style with intricate moves, isolations, and dramatic flair. Groove, twist, and express like never before!
2 p.m. Let’s Tap
Unleash your inner dancer with choreographer Elijah Gibson as you learn basic tap steps and fun choreography. Tap shoes are not required, but tap or dance sneakers are recommended.
3 p.m. 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 p.m. Choreography: Ease on Down
Learn choreography from a well-known musical, taught by choreographer Elijah Gibson, that brings an uplifting, soulful twist to the classic story of the young girl from Kansas, celebrating resilience and joy.
Friday, December 13th
9 a.m. Lyrical
Let the music move you and dance from your heart with guest choreographer Tera Lee-Pollin.
