So you've decided you want to sign up for adult tap classes (or adult jazz classes, adult ballet, or some other dance class) and you're feeling kind of nervous because you know all of the dance studios nearby have recitals.
Maybe you're nervous because there is just no way in heck you want to get up on stage with a bunch of kiddos and perform for an audience of parents and grandparents. Or maybe you're nervous because you actually do want to perform, but you've never been in a show before or you've had a tough time finding a studio that includes its adult dancers in the end of season recital.
Whatever the case may be, I have good news. If you want to take adult tap classes and have been wondering whether you should dance in the recital, here's what you need to know:
1. You should ask about recitals before you sign up.
Some studios don't include their adult students in the recital or only certain adult classes perform. At other studios, all classes are expected to take part in the recital and most classes after mid-season will involve a lot of running choreography and very little tech work. If you have strong feelings about performing (or not performing), asking before you sign up lets you rule out the local dance studios that won't give you the experience that you want.
2. Dancing in the recital is almost never required.
For adults, that is. Dance teachers know that there are a lot of adult dance students out there who want to learn great technique but would rather eat a bug than tap dance in front of friends and family. Dance is about more than just performance and there are lots of reasons to take an adult dance class. That's many if not most studios either have tech-only dance classes for adults or make the recitals optional for adult students.
3. Dancing in the recital means making more of a commitment.
If you do have a chance to perform with your studio in the end of season recital or in a showcase, be ready to attend as many of the regularly scheduled classes as you can. Committing to a dance class as an adult can be tough - especially if you have kids or your job is stressful - but if you're going to get up on that stage, you should be prepared. Attending as many classes as possible also helps your fellow dancers because having everyone present makes it easier for everyone to stay in formation.
4. Performing is actually a blast.
I'd never, ever pressure one of my adult tap students to dance in the recital, but I do make sure I tell them that it can be an amazing experience. Here's a secret: At various points in my life, I have been plagued by stage fright... but I always got up on that stage anyway because there is nothing like the feeling of having people cheer for you during and after a dance. The recital is not a competition! The audience coming to your local dance school's show is there to see you (and all of the other dancers) succeed.
5. Committing to the recital can motivate you to grow.
Learning something new as a grownup is HARD because there is always something getting in the way of practice. Chores. Work. Kids. Life! It can seem like everything else is supposed to come before dance when you're an adult learning tap or ballet or jazz. All that changes when you decide to dance in the recital because suddenly dance isn't just another drop-in fitness class - it is prep for a performance. Life will still get in the way sometimes, but chances are you'll find a way to carve out more time for practice when you have a show on your calendar.
6. You'll feel more like a "real" dancer.
Before I go on, let me just clarify that if you dance, you're a dancer. It doesn't matter if you've never set foot on a stage. Love dance? Take dance? Then in my book, you're a dancer. That said, if you feel drawn to dance as an art form because you love not only the movement and the music but also the theatricality, then consider looking for a studio that will give you opportunities to perform. Personally, I love it all... the costumes, the makeup, the hair, the choreography, the bright lights... all of it. I like to take technique classes, but I like to learn and show off choreography even more, sequins and all.
In the end, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether you should be in a recital. If you love the idea of putting on a cute costume and getting up on stage with your fellow dancers, then look for a dance studio with adult classes that perform at the recital. And if you'd rather not? Look for a dance studio that has straight technique classes for adults so there's no chance you'll feel pressured to perform. There are so many ways to take dance classes as an adult!
Want to tap dance? Christa T. teaches group and private tap lessons for adults and kids at various North Shore venues, and is now teaching adult tap classes at Dance Enthusiasm in Salem on Thursdays! More info: http://www.danceenthusiasm.org/contact/. She’s also available for classes wherever students want to hold them around Beverly, Salem, Peabody, and anywhere in the North Shore. Whether you've never put on a pair of tap shoes or you want to get back into tap dancing, whether you're 8 or 80, tap instructor Christa knows you can do it! Email me: youcantapwithchrista@gmail.com
Maybe you're nervous because there is just no way in heck you want to get up on stage with a bunch of kiddos and perform for an audience of parents and grandparents. Or maybe you're nervous because you actually do want to perform, but you've never been in a show before or you've had a tough time finding a studio that includes its adult dancers in the end of season recital.
Whatever the case may be, I have good news. If you want to take adult tap classes and have been wondering whether you should dance in the recital, here's what you need to know:
1. You should ask about recitals before you sign up.
Some studios don't include their adult students in the recital or only certain adult classes perform. At other studios, all classes are expected to take part in the recital and most classes after mid-season will involve a lot of running choreography and very little tech work. If you have strong feelings about performing (or not performing), asking before you sign up lets you rule out the local dance studios that won't give you the experience that you want.
2. Dancing in the recital is almost never required.
For adults, that is. Dance teachers know that there are a lot of adult dance students out there who want to learn great technique but would rather eat a bug than tap dance in front of friends and family. Dance is about more than just performance and there are lots of reasons to take an adult dance class. That's many if not most studios either have tech-only dance classes for adults or make the recitals optional for adult students.
3. Dancing in the recital means making more of a commitment.
If you do have a chance to perform with your studio in the end of season recital or in a showcase, be ready to attend as many of the regularly scheduled classes as you can. Committing to a dance class as an adult can be tough - especially if you have kids or your job is stressful - but if you're going to get up on that stage, you should be prepared. Attending as many classes as possible also helps your fellow dancers because having everyone present makes it easier for everyone to stay in formation.
4. Performing is actually a blast.
I'd never, ever pressure one of my adult tap students to dance in the recital, but I do make sure I tell them that it can be an amazing experience. Here's a secret: At various points in my life, I have been plagued by stage fright... but I always got up on that stage anyway because there is nothing like the feeling of having people cheer for you during and after a dance. The recital is not a competition! The audience coming to your local dance school's show is there to see you (and all of the other dancers) succeed.
5. Committing to the recital can motivate you to grow.
Learning something new as a grownup is HARD because there is always something getting in the way of practice. Chores. Work. Kids. Life! It can seem like everything else is supposed to come before dance when you're an adult learning tap or ballet or jazz. All that changes when you decide to dance in the recital because suddenly dance isn't just another drop-in fitness class - it is prep for a performance. Life will still get in the way sometimes, but chances are you'll find a way to carve out more time for practice when you have a show on your calendar.
6. You'll feel more like a "real" dancer.
Before I go on, let me just clarify that if you dance, you're a dancer. It doesn't matter if you've never set foot on a stage. Love dance? Take dance? Then in my book, you're a dancer. That said, if you feel drawn to dance as an art form because you love not only the movement and the music but also the theatricality, then consider looking for a studio that will give you opportunities to perform. Personally, I love it all... the costumes, the makeup, the hair, the choreography, the bright lights... all of it. I like to take technique classes, but I like to learn and show off choreography even more, sequins and all.
In the end, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether you should be in a recital. If you love the idea of putting on a cute costume and getting up on stage with your fellow dancers, then look for a dance studio with adult classes that perform at the recital. And if you'd rather not? Look for a dance studio that has straight technique classes for adults so there's no chance you'll feel pressured to perform. There are so many ways to take dance classes as an adult!
Want to tap dance? Christa T. teaches group and private tap lessons for adults and kids at various North Shore venues, and is now teaching adult tap classes at Dance Enthusiasm in Salem on Thursdays! More info: http://www.danceenthusiasm.org/contact/. She’s also available for classes wherever students want to hold them around Beverly, Salem, Peabody, and anywhere in the North Shore. Whether you've never put on a pair of tap shoes or you want to get back into tap dancing, whether you're 8 or 80, tap instructor Christa knows you can do it! Email me: youcantapwithchrista@gmail.com
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