Tap
This has evolved as an American dance form, popularised throughout the world, with debate about its origins coming from African dance, Irish dance and/or clog dancing.
The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out different rhythms, with dancers wearing tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound.
Tap dance is a theatrical art form often seen on stage in musicals.
Tap Class Timetable
Hot Tap Dance School provides Tap classes for all standards from Primary through to Intermediate. To book a space on a class fill out the form below.
Primary Tap
This is the first of the graded classes and is suitable from age four. In the Primary tap class the emphasis is on musicality and rhythmic awareness and coordinated movements. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 1 Tap
The grade 1 class is generally suitable from age six. In this grade the emphasis is on musicality and rhythmic awareness and coordinated movements, an appreciation of varying musical styles and their interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 2 Tap
The grade 2 class is generally suitable from age eight. In this grade the emphasis is on musicality and rhythmic awareness and coordinated movements, an appreciation of varying musical styles and their interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 3 Tap
The grade 3 class is generally suitable from age ten. In this grade the emphasis is on musicality and rhythmic awareness and coordinated movements, an appreciation of varying musical styles and their interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 4 Tap
The grade 4 class is generally suitable from age ten. In this grade the emphasis is on encouraging a sense of self-expression, an appreciation of varying musical styles and their interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 5 Tap
The grade 5 class is generally suitable from age twelve. In this grade the emphasis is on encouraging a sense of self-expression, an appreciation of varying musical styles and their interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses.
Grade 6 Tap
The grade 6 class is generally suitable from age thirteen. In this grade the emphasis is on encouraging a sense of self-expression, an appreciation of varying musical styles and interpretation. The grades build up progressively, ensuring that steps and skills learned at lower levels prepare for more complex movements as the dancer progresses. Examinations taken at this level also qualify for UCAS points.
Intermediate Tap
This is a vocational grade which develops the dancer's expertise in such a way as to provide the basis for either professional employment as a dancer or further training as a dance teacher. This level of dance requires a high level of commitment and with an increasing emphasis on safe dance practice. Dancers at this level are expected to show virtuosity in performance, a high standard of technique and a sound knowledge and understanding of the Tap genre. Examinations taken at this level also qualify for UCAS points.
Adult Tap (Intermediate)
Adult Tap Intermediate: The Intermediate class is geared towards adults who have had some previous experience tap dancing, looking to continue learning new skills and improving on existing ones. It is a fun class and all members are welcome to participate in our bi-annual dance shows!
Adult Tap (Beginner)
The Beginner class is geared towards the adult who has had little or no tap dance training, looking to learn new skills and develop a sense of rhythm and balance. It is a fun class and all participants are invited to take part in our bi-annual dance shows, if they wish!.
