 What is Tap?
Tap dancing is a lively, rhythmic dance performed with small metal plates attached to the heels and toes of a pair of shoes to make a tapping sound. It is the creation of sounds as well as movement through space, where soles and heels amplify the rhythmic sounds of the dance.
There are many styles of Tap, from "Hoofing" to Broadway. With our Tap classes, you will build good technique and foundation while exploring the differences between these styles. Clean and clear sounds executed with rhythmic precision ... you're on the way to being the next Astaire or Gregory Hines!
A bit of history ...
Tap Dance was created by combining elements of African drumming and dancing with the techniques of European clog and step dancing. The unique rhythms of jazz music help distinguish American tap dance from all other kinds of dancing based on percussive footwork.
Danced primarily by enslaved Africans, this blend of jig and juba was transferred to the minstrel stage, and there it was polished into something identifiable as "American tap dance." With vaudeville, great individual talents like Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and John Bubbles helped to refine rhythm tap dance, and later Hollywood popularized tap dance worldwide with films featuring Fred Astaire, the Nicholas Brothers, and Eleanore Powell, among others.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, interest in tap dance underwent a resurgence. The public's interest in watching tap dance has produced several Broadway hits, including the recent "Black and Blue," and "Jelly's Last Jam," and films such as "The Cotton Club", "Steppin Out" and "Tap."
Groups like Tap Dogs and dancers like Savion Glover, with their hip and funky styles have made tap dance here to stay.
Tap 1 (8-week course)
An 8-week course that introduces and covers tap basics and techniques to strengthen and loosen your ankles. A great way to start off your feet for tap dancing.
Tap 2 (On-going classes)
For students with a little experience in Tap or graduates of Tap I. Students remain in Tap II until they reach a degree of competency with the set exercises taught at this level. For some students, this process takes more than a year. The teacher will recommend when a student should proceed to the next level. Classes are on-going.
Tap 3 (Advance; by audition only)
These classes assume a student's ability to correctly execute material learnt in Tap II, working for speed and complexity as well as proper technique. More intense practice and independent creation of rhythm will be encouraged. Classes are on-going.
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