Tap Program Description

An art form, which has its roots in African, Latin, Irish, and English percussive folk dance traditions. It is focused on pattern, musicality, and fine articulation of the body and feet. At each level students learn proper strength and stretch techniques, exercises to train them in speed, timing, and articulation (called rudiments) as well as gaining a foundational knowledge of musicality. History will be shared with students throughout the year. If you have ever wanted to become part of the music or play an instrument with your body, tap dancing is for you.

Tap 1: This class is designed for students ages 6 and up. It is supported by a two-year curriculum. Students meet for one hour each week for the class. Students can enter this class with no experience. Students will learn foundational single and double sound manipulations, and basic rudiments, begin a relationship with music, and explore improvisation.

Tap 1-2 (Beginning Tap): This class is designed for students aged 6 and up and meets for 1 hour every week. This class is supported by an ongoing curriculum. Students require no tap experience to join this class. Students will develop their basic tap vocabulary, manipulations, and rudiments, explore musical phrasing, and explore tap improvisation.

Tap 2: This class is designed for students ages 8 and up. It is supported by a two-year curriculum. Students meet for one hour each week for the class. Students must have completed Tap 1, Tap 1-2, or audition for this class. Students will continue to extend their Tap vocabulary, master more advanced rudiments, explore musical phrasing, and continue exploring improvisation.

Tap 3: This class is designed for students ages 10 and up. It is supported by a two-year curriculum. Students meet for one hour each week for the class. Students must have completed Tap 2, Tap 1-2, or audition for this class. Students will continue to extend their Tap vocabulary, master intermediate rudiments, explore Tap Repertoire, engage with counterpoint, and begin developing their unique improvisational voice.

Teen Tap: This class is designed for students aged 12 and up and meets for 1 hour a week. Students are required to have taken tap 1, tap 1/2, tap 2/3, or audition for this class. Students will continue to develop their tap vocabulary, manipulations, rudiments, musical phrasing, and tap improvisation, and explore counterpoint manipulations, and tap repertoire.

Tap 4: This class is designed for students ages 12 and up. It is supported by a two-year curriculum. Students meet for one hour each week for the class. Students must have completed Tap 3, Teen Tap, or audition for this class. Students will continue to extend their Tap vocabulary, master advanced rudiments, focus on Tap Repertoire, engage in more complex counterpoints, analyze musical structures, and continue developing their unique improvisational voice.

Tap 5: This class is designed for students ages 14 and up. It is supported by an ongoing curriculum. Students meet for one and a half hours each week for the class. Students must have completed Tap 4, Teen Tap, or audition for this class. Students will continue to extend their Tap vocabulary, master advanced rudiments, focus on Tap Repertoire, engage in more complex counterpoints, begin the use of accenting, analyze musical structures, and continue developing their unique improvisation voice.

Adult Tap: This class is for students ages 18 and up. It has an ongoing curriculum. Students meet for one hour each week for the class. Adult Tap incorporates technique, musicality, and performance elements to meet students at their level. Students will learn common rhythms and sequences as well as unique choreography. Typically, this class participates in both the winter and spring recitals (optional).

Official Dress Code for Tap Classes
Female: For these classes, we will measure and order students a black tank leotard and black v-waist pants to be worn during all Watch-Week Classes and during the Winter Recital.
Male: For these classes, we will measure and order students a black short-sleeved T-Shirt, and black straight-leg pants to be worn during all Watch-Week Classes and during the Winter Recital.

Appropriate Shoes: Tap classes (black flat-heel tap shoes), high heeled tap shoes may also be used. Advanced Level Dancers (Levels 4-5) are requested to get higher-end tap shoes.
Hair: Pulled up away from the face in a low ponytail. If hair is too short then please have it pulled back in clips.