Class Descriptions

Beginning Tap:
No prior training is required. Perfect for the student who wants to become familiar with the art form of tap dancing and learn how to comprehend rhythms, gain musicality, and get assistance in maintaining a healthy physique! Introductions to basic tap steps will be presented such as shuffles, flaps, paddle and rolls, cramp rolls, crawls, etc.
 
Tap 1:
In this class some tap is required. The student should be familiar with basic steps such as shuffle and flap, and be working on their rhythmical abilities at a faster speed than the beginning level. Improvisation is introduced to help the child find their own style and their own comfort zone in the classroom. Combinations and new steps will be introduced weekly to enhance their knowledge of the art form.
 
Tap 2:
Prior knowledge of tap dancing is definitely required for this class. One should be familiar with all tap steps taught in the Beginning and Tap 1 and be ready to focus on adding more steps to their tap vocabulary. Improvisation, rhythmical patterns, and combinations will be taught weekly.
 
Tap 3:
Tap 3 involves a similar layout to Tap 2, just at a faster pace. The student should be familiar with all basic steps and have knowledge of everything taught in the Beginning tap through Tap 2. Wings, pulls, and other steps of that manner will be taught in this level and include everything that is involved in Tap 2.
 
Tap 4:
In Tap 4, as in all classes, we focus on cleaning our sounds and executing proper body placement for all steps. Tap 4 is taught at a very fast pace, and the student is expected to know all information through out the lower levels of the tap classes. At this point in our tap, we should be familiar with improvisation, have decent choreography pick-up, and have a substantial tap vocabulary. Rudiments and drills are taught to preserve our technique and maintain it to its best ability.
 
Tap 5:
This is for the student who is ready to move forward at a very fast pace with their tap dancing and is willing to have a good work ethic in the class room. The purpose of this class is to conserve our clean technique, challenge ourselves to do more difficult steps each week, and carry on with our knowledge of tap, and our style. Finding our own style is something that will be expected. Rudiments and drills are executed to preserve our technique and maintain it to its best ability.

Frequently asked questions:
Q:What are drills?
A: Drills are a group of exercises that we do repetitively to gain muscle strength in our legs, ankles, feet, shins, calves, and upper body as well. Drills involve pulls, flaps, and wings. I also incorporate shuffles, and others steps into the mix every week just to give the students a different feel and various workout program. Drills are mandatory in order to keep in shape with our body, but our sounds as well!!

Q: What is a rudiment?
A: Well, rudiments were introduced to me by the late and great Steve Condos (via video). He was famous for doing his rudiments and passed it on to many of the young tap dancers today. Rudiments are exercises involving cramp rolls, paddle and rolls, crawls, etc. Tap dancing is not only about dancing, its about making music too, and just like any other musician we have to keep our skills up to par. Pianists, vocalists, and many other musicians do scales, drummers use rudiments (where we got our rudiments from, similar patterns and rhythms), etc. If you keep up with your rudiments, your "chops"(clean and good feet), will get recognized!!! I once was told from a drummer, "You've got amazing chops!!!", and I realized it pays off to work hard!!

**If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Megan directly. Thank you!!