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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

Thursday, November 12, 2026·9:40 AM – 9:50 AM·Room 120
New Music/Research
New Music/Research PresentsLive

What if tap had developed its own family of instruments alongside the modern drum kit? This research 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. In this session, tap percussionist Brianna Maltais will be joined by Detroit-based bassist Dylan Sherman to perform compositions that explore the sounds, textures, and creative possibilities of these tap instruments.