Boulder, CO •April 2026
Tineke & Maurits van Geel
teach International Dances
This year BIFD’s annual workshop will feature TINEKE van GEEL and MAURITS van GEEL presenting Roma, Armenian & International dances April 24-26, 2026.
Online registration is now available!
Below, you’ll find the opportunity to register for the full workshop (with or without the Sunday Morning Review session).
You can also sign up for individual sessions.
If you prefer to send in a check, please download and print our paper registration HERE.
We will be accepting walk-ins, as always, but encourage you to register in advance if you know you’ll be attending.
About the teachers
TINEKE specializes in the teaching and choreography of Armenian dance and conducts workshops for students at various levels, from beginner to professional.
Her main focus is to break down complicated steps and movements to basic elements and slowly rebuild them into the original dance form. This skill is part of her worldwide success and is combined with a vast knowledge of Armenian dance and culture. She also discusses the history and background of each dance she teaches. She has taught folk dance workshops in Austria, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States. In addition to Armenian dance, Tineke has taught international and Dutch dances.
She started folk dancing in 1975. In 1977, Tineke received her degree in the Netherlands as folk dance instructor.
Since 1985, Tineke has spent much time in Armenia, regularly studying at the Pedagogic Institute and Choreographic School in Yerevan. She has danced with the village folk as well as learned alongside the performers. A part of each of her research trips to Armenia has been devoted to wrking with several amateur dance groups. She also has done extensive research on Armenian costumes. So far, two of her trips to Armenia have been sponsored by the Dutch government. Moreover, she has done research in the Armenian communities in the United States.
MAURITS holds a degree in Arts and Crafts and Art History. He graduated as a folk dance teacher in 1977 and received his degree at Dance Academy level from the Ministry of Culture in 1986. He taught at folk dance clubs in Amsterdam and worked as a dance consultant for the City Council 1986-1988, initiating dance projects in schools in combination with setting up dance projects and festivals. Also in the 1980s, he specialized in the Appalachian Clogging, worked as guest teacher in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany, and was invited to be a guest teacher at the Rotterdam Dance Academy.
He was employed by Het Internationaal Danstheater, a professional dance company in Amsterdam, first as choreographer and later as artistic director for 23 years (1988-2011). During his career, he produced over 47 theatre programs in the field of world dance for this company. Part of this job involved several months of dance research each year in order to prepare for these programs. His travels have included India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Cherkassy, among many other countries. His archive consists of almost 900 DVDs, with research material from all over the world, most of it recorded by himself. He has also choreographed folk dances, among them Syrtos Kitrinou.
Workshop Schedule
Friday, April 24, 2026
7:30p.m.-10:00p.m. Workshop Session
10:00p.m.-11:00p.m. Open Dance
Open Dance included in Friday session cost
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:30a.m.-12:00p.m. Workshop Session
2:00 p.m.-2:30p.m. Cultural Corner
2:30p.m.- 5:00p.m. Workshop Session
7:30p.m.- 10:30p.m. Dance Party
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Dance Party features run-through of workshop dances.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
10:00a.m. Review Session
Workshop Costs
• BIFD Members - $17/Workshop Session
• Non-Members - $20/Workshop Session
• Students with valid ID - Half price
• Dancers over 90 - FREE
Saturday evening Dance Party is FREE for those attending all workshop sessions;
$10 for all others.
Workshop Dance Notes and Music
Dance notes and music will be available from the van Geels at the workshop.
Shoes, Water, & Snacks
Please bring dance shoes with non-marking soles and heels to protect the dance floors. We have nice hardwood sprung floors!
Boulder, CO is a dry, high-altitude town - you’ll want to be drinking plenty of water! BIFD will not be providing snacks and beverages (water available). Please bring your own.
Contagious Illnesses (COVID & more)
Masks are no longer required at our events but are welcome. Please monitor your own health and remain at home if you have symptoms of a contagious illness (COVID or otherwise) or are sick.
How to Register Online
• Find the session(s) you wish to purchase
• Indicate whether you’re a BIFD Member or not
• Click “add to cart” and fill in the workshop attendee’s name
• When ready, click on the cart icon in the lower right of the page to check out
Prefer Mail-in Registration? Download & print the registration form. Fill out & mail with a check. DOWNLOAD FORM
SIGN UP FOR THE FULL WORKSHOP
If you are attending the FULL WORKSHOP and are not yet a BIFD Member for 2026, consider becoming one!
Attending the Sunday Review? You’ll save a couple of dollars even with the price of the membership!
Skipping the Sunday review? It’ll only cost you an extra $1 to become a member!
Add the 2026 BIFD Annual Membership to your cart
Add the workshop item to your cart making sure to select “2026 BIFD Member” in the dropdown.
Review your cart & check out
SIGN UP FOR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Select individual sessions for purchase. If you’re attending several sessions, simply add each session separately to your cart before checking out.
Review your cart & check out
Out of Town Visitors
The Avalon is located on the East end of Boulder and at a distance NOT typically considered walkable from downtown or most accommodations.
Please make rental car arrangements or plan on using Lyft/Uber for transportation from the dance space to your hotel or other visitor activities. (Buses are scheduled infrequently during the weekends here) .
Nearby Lodging Options (5-mile radius)
Fairfield Inn and Suites
(720) 673-8900
5397 S. Boulder Rd
Serves a hot breakfast.
HYATT PLACE Boulder/Pearl
(303) 442-0160
2280 Junction Pl. (Pearl and 33rd)
Serves a hot breakfast.
Boulder Guest House (B&B)
(303) 442-3007
2151 Arapahoe Ave.
Includes Breakfast
More about The Avalon
The Avalon is operated by the Boulder Dance Coalition of which BIFD is a member.
During our workshop we will be dancing in the Ballroom and Sodal Hall.
Both spaces have sprung hardwood floors that are a delight to dance on!
If you’re staying longer than the workshop, you may want to explore other dancing events at The Avalon.
More about Boulder & Surrounding Areas
Boulder: The Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
City of Boulder website.
Colorado Tourism Office website.
Things To Do in Denver Denver Convention & Visitors Bureau website
Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, approx 1 hr North of Boulder
