Tap - Happendance
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Tap Class Descriptions
Dance Basics - ages 3-6
These classes are developmentally appropriate introductions to dance.
Creative Percussive Dance - ages 3-6
A special class for a special age! Children will enjoy the use of music, props, and poetry to develop basic motor and locomotor skills with emphasis on rhythm and basic music theory concepts. Curriculum is based on the National Standards of Dance in Education.
Beginning Level Tap Classes – ages 5 and above
These classes are for the students who are ready for more formal training in a chosen technique(s).
Introduction to Tap – ages 5-6
This class is a basic one-year class that focuses on using the two taps of the shoe to articulate single-sound movements in straight quarter note time, integrating the hands, head, and voice into rhythm making, and introducing basic tap vocabulary. Work is done at the barre, center floor, and across the floor. Basic call and response, and improvisation exercises are introduced.
The technique emphasizes the Three Rs:
Release: transfer of weight fully so that there is always a foot in the ready position.
Relax: keep knees soft, ankles loose, weight over arch, and skeleton stacked naturally.
Ready: hang one foot loosely from the knee, which is lifted.
Tap 1 - ages 6-8
This one to two-year class is a more in-depth version of material covered in Introduction to Tap. The basic rudiments and series are strengthened and expanded. Solidifying the basic tap skills covered in these first two levels lays the groundwork for efficient and confident growth in all levels that follow.
Tap 2, 3 - ages 7-10
This two to three-year class focuses on learning more advanced tap movements, classic tap steps, vocabulary, and triplet/swing rhythm while working to execute straight and swinging eight note rhythms; strengthening timing and integration of hands, heads, and voices; and gaining an increased understanding of the Three Rs. Work continues to be done at the barre, center floor, and across the floor. Call and response, and improvisation exercises are continued.
Dress Code
- Hair is neatly secured up and off the face.
- Dancers wear fitted or loose knit shorts, capris, or pants that don’t go extend past the ankle, and a leotard or shirt.
- Dancers wear Mary Jane or Oxford style tap shoes.
Intermediate Level Tap Classes – age 10 and above
Tap 4, 5 – age 10 and above
This two to three-year class focuses on continued learning of more difficult tap movements and concepts, continued progression through rudiments and series, learning more classic steps, executing and distinguishing between straight and swinging eighth and sixteenth note rhythms while also adding syncopation, continuing to gain strength in full-bodied shifting of weight, improvising with more confidence, and using the Three Rs technique during all movement. Work continues to be done at the barre, center floor, and across the floor.
Tap 6, 7 - age 12 and above
This two to three-year class focuses on continued learning of more difficult tap movements and ideas, continued progression through the rudiments and series, learning more classic steps while expanding technique, expanding rhythmic knowledge and execution with counterpoint, continued strength development in fullbodied shifting of weight, improvising with more confidence and clarity, and using the Three Rs technique consistently in all movement. Students develop improved listening skills, timing, and the ability to self-correct. Work continues to be done at the barre, center floor, and across the floor.
Dress Code
- Hair is neatly secured up and off the face.
- Dancers wear fitted or loose knit shorts, capris, or pants that don’t go extend past the ankle, and a leotard or shirt.
- Dancers wear Oxford style tap shoes.
Advanced Tap Classes – age 14 and above
For the serious tap student, dancers progressing to this level will be expected to execute significantly quicker and more complex movement. Placement and approval of instructor is required.
Advanced Tap – age 14 and above
This class is focused on the technique and skills gained in previous classes, but the knowledge and execution of the rhythms, phrasing, and musicality within the rudiments, series, classic steps, combos, and across the floor are significantly more complicated, advanced and faster. Increased improvisation is incorporated into choreography. Listening skills and sense of timing continue to be honed and strengthened. Most work is done center floor and across the floor, however, complicated tricks may be worked at the barre. Tappers should be able to float tap sequences across the floor, almost as if they are skating, and demonstrate mastery of the Three Rs. The complete relaxation of the feet for most movements is essential at this level. In addition, students should also demonstrate the ability to catch up quickly when absent from class.
Dress Code
- Hair is neatly secured up and off the face.
- Dancers identifying as girls wear pink/skin tone ballet tights, and pink ballet slippers.
- Dancers wear fitted or loose knit shorts, capris, or pants that don’t go extend past the ankle, and a leotard or shirt.
- Dancers wear Oxford style tap shoes.
Tap Shoe Recommendations
- Black Capezio brand tap shoes are preferred.
- Full sole tap shoes are strongly preferred over split sole.
Split sole tap shoes offer poor sound quality because of their construction. Full sole tap shoes provide better clarity and tonality, creating a stronger and louder sound.
Split sole tap shoes make it very easy to point one's toes while dancing, which is the opposite of the relaxed and neutral foot that is ideal for tap dancing.Split sole shoes do not properly support the foot, encouraging improper use and tightening of the ankle, increasing the risk of injury.
- Suggested Tap Shoes - Introduction to Tap, Tap 1, and Tap 2, 3
Capezio Mary Jane N625 - patent leatherCapezio Mary Jane 3800 - leatherCapezio Oxford 443 - PU synthetic leatherCapezio Oxford CG17 - PU synthetic leatherPlease note that wide feet tend to do better with an oxford style shoe.
- Suggested Tap Shoes - Tap 4, 5, and Tap 6, 7
Capezio CG17 can still be used, but keep in mind it is not real leather, and is a cross between full and split sole.Capezio Oxford CG19 - leatherCapezio Oxford CG09 – leather
- Suggested Tap Shoes - Advanced Tap
Capezio Oxford CG19 - leatherPricing is available on the shoe company websites. If your dancer already owns tap shoes that do not fit this description, please talk to your instructor.Capezio Oxford CG09 – leatherBloch SO313L “Jason Samuel Smith” - leatherThis leather shoe is an amazing option for dancers who want a substantially stronger and richer sound from their tap shoes. This is a more affordable option for a professional grade tap shoe.Miller and Ben Triple Threat and Capezio K360 with build upThese tap shoes would be a suitable splurge for a very serious tapper who is going to continue to tap for years to come.