Sas (Sandra) Selfjord is the Executive Director of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. She began the first phase of her career in the investment industry as head stock trader for several leading brokerage firms. She also developed and delivered the successful “Women and Investing” courses designed to empower women with financial and stock market knowledge. Sas then became engaged in board development, volunteer support, program delivery, and risk management and governance best practices with BC’s largest non-government social service agency. The non-profit sector matched Sas’ values and she earned a degree in Non-Profit Management at Simon Fraser University. As long as she can remember, Sas has loved tap dance and at age 39 decided it was time to take some tap lessons! In 1995, Sas co- founded the Vancouver Tap Dance Society, and in 1999 assumed the role of Executive Director. Under her leadership the organization received charitable status and now receives funding from all 3 levels of government. VTDS’s mandate includes the annual Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, community outreach and TapCo- a youth performance ensemble that tours BC and has entertained over 150,000 people. The engine of the Society is the Tap Academy that provides a comprehensive program for all ages and skill levels and attracts over 200 students each year.VTDS provides highquality studio rental, and access to masters of tap through workshops and the Academy’s Artist in Residence program. As an advocate for the arts, Sas’ life is richer because of tap dance and values those relationships. She is dedicated to the individuals and organizations that strengthen community arts development in general and tap dance in particular.
We need Wood! 14
Dance Central March/April 2016
Central November/December 2015
12 Dance