Tap dance, the dance form that uses the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor, is one of the most unique and captivating styles of the dance arts. Most dance is set to music, but in tap, performers actually create some of the sounds with their dancing. If you’re looking for a tap class for kids in Toronto, then there are several stylistic factors you may want to consider before you decide.
Styles of Tap Dance
Several different styles of tap dance exist that all evolved from unique time periods, vantage points, and cultural roots. Here is a brief list of the different styles of tap dance.
Classical Tap
Also going by the name flash or swing tap, classical tap was popularized through 20th century movies. Consisting of a combination of jazz dance, ballet, and acrobatics, famous tap dancers include the Nicholas Brothers, who are credited with making significant contributions to promoting and publicizing classical tap.
Rhythm Tap
Tap dancing shoes create their own percussion on the floor. This is the focus in rhythm tap, as the shoes themselves are instruments. Sounds can be made by striking the heel, among other techniques. Usually, rhythm tap dancing is performed without musical accompaniment.
Musical (or Broadway) Tap
This style combines both traditional tap dancing with Broadway, and is suited to musical theater-style show dancing. The visual aesthetics of the dance are given more focus here, with an emphasis on using the upper body and arms.
Funk Tap
Taking cues from both hip hop and funk, this is a new, evolved contemporary dance form that is a lot of fun. This is a great style for keeping classes interesting while building jazz dancing skills.
Why Should Your Child Learn Tap Dance?
Learning to dance teaches children about the arts, athleticism, aesthetics, and work ethic. Tap dance provides an environment for learning with a structured method in a fun, creative way. Furthermore, there are benefits to a child’s outlook, self-esteem, self-confidence and social life that can all be gained by taking tap dance classes.
Join Us at Performing Dance Arts
Are you looking for a fun learning environment that offers instructive and informative dance classes for your child? If so, Performing Dance Arts is a great place to enroll your child in tap dance classes. Our longstanding commitment and passion for dance has created one of the best places in the Greater Toronto Area to learn to dance. We are proudly celebrating our fifth year in our Vaughan location, with a new dance studio that opened in Etobicoke this year. Other programs we offer include our competitive dance teams, as well as beginner lessons in jazz, ballet, hip hop, and acro. To learn more about our jazz classes for children, as well as the other amazing programs we offer, contact us or drop by to visit our studio today.
