From cleaning routines or class drills, here's how.

First, lemme tell ya Kassie: I've got one Tap class of 7-10-year-olds that is tough...In part because it's my 4th consecutive Tap class of the day but also because they are new to dance classes in general, and are learning how to BE in dance class. (they usually whine more than my 3-4-year-old class )

Their stamina is low, so I have to be REALLY creative every week in terms of how I keep them engaged and motivated. 

In my earlier days of teaching I put my Tap students through the process without explaining it. Or maybe I'd talk about it once or twice, and well...we all know how that goes. 

So here's the thing...I intentionally teach my students ABOUT the nature of process.

If you're thinking "OH I'VE DONE THAT / I'VE TRIED THAT ALREADY" then keep reading. 

If you've "done" it or "tried" it, chances are that means that you may not be teaching this consistently, in an...

At about 0:35 seconds in to the video (below), I start the 3 minute clock, where I tell you 3 tips in 3 minutes to "fitting more in" to your Tap classes...and...GO!

Bored and Overwhelmed students in the same class?

How we respond to these challenges can truly be "make or break" for our Tap program, so as Tap Teachers, we need to be prepared to support our students in tangible, meaningful ways. 

Here are 2 keys to doing just that (at around 3:15). Check out this short video blog BELOW to learn more. 

Interested In Online Tap Teacher Training? Click here to learn more! 

In your mind, Tap Teacher Training might go in that "would be nice" section of your never-ending to-do list.

But might Tap Teacher Training really be a "MUST" for you? A "NEED"? A "GAME-CHANGER"? 

Since I started the Tap Teachers' Lounge in 2018, I've seen first-hand that Tap Teacher training is the most powerful way for a Tap teacher to bring out fresh enthusiasm for Tap dance in their students, and a deeper sense of accomplishment, inspiration & confidence in the Tap teacher who truly commits to the training process. 

So, if you're wondering if Tap Teacher Training might help you,

here's a quick checklist for you to help you answer this question. 

1) You have a hard time clarifying the MUSICALITY aspects of your lesson planning.

If your current lesson plans are too "step-focused", then you're missing the other wing of the bird. Without the "musicality wing" of Tap class, you'll find that you're constantly hitting several walls. The depth of Tap...

CHECK OUT THE SHORT VIDEO BELOW   to help you navigate the options when it comes to Tap Teacher Certification, Tap teacher training, and Tap class curriculum options. Click here for more info on the Tap Teacher's Lounge program. 

Sure, when families visit class you can have them quietly observe a usual class and tell them their kids are doing great. 

But if you leave it there, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Huge. 

Think of it: you actually have the parents in your class as a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE. They’re watching, they’re listening! This is a fantastic chance to reinforce an expanded view of Tap dance and Tap dance study, so grab this chance! 

I just had a family observation day in my classes a few days ago, so I’ll share with you some of the main ideas I put out there that left the parents excited & impressed by what their kids are learning. 

WHAT You’re Teaching

I broke down a few key fundamental parts of the class - the history component, the musicality instruction, the footwork/technique, the improvisation, etc. 

I took each of the components and shared some detail about them. 

History: I shared the broad strokes of the...

Many teachers briefly use the ballet barre or chairs in their Tap classes to help students work on wings, pullbacks, etc. It’s not the only way to teach those kinds of steps, but definitely a common approach. This is a quick and temporary use of the barre.  

In this article, I am more focused on the use of the ballet barre for more significant amounts of time in Tap class - for warmups, etc. 

If you use the barre in this more extended way, I want to offer this food for thought that might challenge the way you think about barre use, or it might make you feel more confident in your use of it! 

Here are several factors to consider, for Pre-K students, adults, and everyone in between. 

The Class Structure & Management Factor

Tap classes can feel especially tough to manage, especially when dealing with a class full of kids just straight-up making noise with their shoes!

And if teaching Tap isn’t the dance teacher’s strong suit, it...

In the world of dance, is race really that important? 

We now know that scientifically speaking, there is no such thing as race. Humanity is one. 

But we also know that race as a social construct has been woven into the policies and practices of our society for centuries…these things have had, and continue to have, a deep and profound impact on the dance world. 

There are issues including (but not limited to):

Looking forward to the next in-studio workshop, convention, or festival? Let's think about how the student experience can be enhanced with dance history!

Looking for age-appropriate strategies for introducing dance history in your dance classes? Click here for info on my Roots, Rhythm, Race & Dance program for Dance Educators!

Since we turned 3 years old, we all had the question: WHY????? 

It seems to be a part of human nature as we grow. And as educators, it’s important for us to remember that the WHY question doesn’t go away, and it WILL show up in our classes in more ways than one.

In both the Tap Teachers’ Lounge training program & my Roots, Rhythm, Race & Dance course for dance history, I offer a concept called “framing”.

How do we “frame” any lesson or exercise?

To “frame” is to answer the WHY question, before it is even asked. 

What’s the point of this warm-up? 

What’s the point of this drill & repetition?

What’s the point of improv? 

And of course…

What's the point of learning dance history? 

If we aren’t able to effectively answer the WHY question, then our students can start to 

- disengage, 

- doubt the value of the lesson,

- doubt the training as a whole,...