Colburn’s Tap Dance Program is an embodied music education. Students are taught to read percussion music and then physically manifest those rhythms, cultivating their bodies as articulate musical instruments.
Young tap dancers begin to produce tap rhythms by stepping on the balls of their feet for toe notes and pressing their heels into the floor for heel notes. This continues with learning some of the basic tap rudiments, like step-heel and cramp rolls. They will practice shuffles, scuffles, hops, and leaps for weight change and balance. Moving across the floor using their arms in opposition as well as traveling backwards. Tap terminology is introduced and used in class. Music study begins with counting quarter notes in 4/4 time and staying on the beat while producing taps. This class meets once weekly.
Building on the knowledge gained from Tap 1A, students will be introduced to proper tap technique by lifting their knees and relaxing their ankles for the best sound production. Tap terminology builds as new steps are introduced to practice in place and across the floor. Pull backs will be introduced as well as flaps and flap-ball-change. Students will practice tapping quarter and eighth notes in 4/4 time. This class meets once weekly.
More advanced steps, flaps and time steps are introduced. While continuing to review established skills and terminology, the class will practice the connection of the steps to the music for clarity of sound. Sixteenth notes and eight note triplets in 4/4 time are introduced. Turns, arm placement and more movement are emphasized. At this level, students are challenged by more advanced combinations and dances. This class meets twice weekly.
Three years of previous tap study are needed for this ensemble. Students will receive instruction from three different teachers weekly and expand their technique and music skills. Tap Dance Artists will continue to practice their basic steps and rudiments, giving them vocabulary to explore and develop their improvisation. More advanced and challenging choreography is introduced, demanding dance movement and performance quality. Continued music study and tap history are crucial for this ensemble. Learning how to work with fellow dancers on stage and in class is key to building our tap community and allowing the best outcome for our Tap Artists.
As the most advanced tap level offered, Tap Dance Artists will have added performances and master class opportunities. This ensemble advances serious and committed artists to their full potential and skill level. Group and solo dancing are explored. Traditional and original choreography is taught by master teachers and our state-of-the-art faculty. Tap Artists will also be encouraged to create their own choreography. A full understanding of music and percussion allows students to improvise with confidence and tap accurately in unison or individually. Tap history is included through Artistic Inquiry sessions. This class meets for four tap sessions per week and a full dance class weekly.
This once weekly class is designed to give dancers who want to deepen their tap study or increase their versatility in dance. It is essential for serious Musical Theatre students who need tap training to be competitive and gives those who love to tap a weekly class. Basic Technique, terminology and music skills are practiced weekly. All levels are welcome in this class.