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Brianna Maltais
Brianna Maltais (she/her) is a tap percussionist from Toronto whose work explores the intersection of tap dance, percussion, and instrument design. Through collaborative research, she creates tap-based instruments inspired by the design and sounds of drum instrumentation. Her research has been presented at Shoe Dreams (DanceMakers) at Nuit Blanche, Foot34: Encountering the Threshold 2026 at The University of Toronto’s Centre for the Performing Arts, Cool New Instruments Night and on CBC Radio with Michael Palumbo. She is co-founder of Haut Haus, a cross-border collective of tap percussionists and instrumentalists currently developing original compositions for a full-length show premiering in Toronto in February 2027.

Echoes of the Drum: The Tap Kit

New Music/Research
New Music/Research PresentsLive

What if tap had developed its own family of instruments alongside the modern drum kit? This presentation explores that question through the creation of new instruments for tap dance that expand the possibilities of foot percussion. Featured works include the Tap Kit (Canada Council for the Arts), designed in collaboration with Joe Adamick, an instrument inspired by the modern drum kit that incorporates low, mid, and high toms alongside snare, and kick inspired components. Also presented are Brush Shoes (Shoe Dreams, DanceMakers), developed in collaboration with Sophie Moynan, which extend bristles beneath the toe to create sustained, sweeping textures inspired by drum brushes. Together, these instruments expand tap’s sonic palette beyond its traditional vocabulary. Through live demonstrations and discussion, this session explores how new approaches to instrument creation can open new directions for percussion through performance and interdisciplinary collaboration, positioning tap as an evolving musical instrument.