I know from experience that taking adult dance classes is tough.
It can feel awkward to be learning a new skill as a grownup - especially one that uses your body, and especially when there might be a lot of baggage there. Many adult tap dancers and other adult dance students don't have what people think of a "dance body" (though I always argue that any body that dances is a dance body).
Maybe you haven't taken a class in a while, and you won't know anyone else in the class. You don't know when walking into a new dance class for the first time how experienced your fellow students will be. And the levels can differ at different studios, so what's considered basic beginner tap at one studio might be another studio's slow intermediate.
But taking adult tap classes shouldn't be a stressful experience! Here are my tips for adult beginner tap dancers who want to get the most out of their dance classes:
1. Relax! You're headed to tap class because you love the art form or you've always wanted to learn, so mentally prepare yourself to have fun. Will you mess up? Probably! But I've been dancing forever and I still hit my ankle bones with my taps now and then and flub a step here and there. We are all of us works in progress, no matter what level we're at. Strut into tap classes with a growth mindset and don't worry about missteps.
2. Let your teacher know if you don't understand something. I used to be very shy about asking questions whenever I was learning something new (dance or otherwise) so I'd keep quiet and my progress would stall. Eventually, though, I grew out of my shell and now I'm the first person to raise my hand and say, "I have no idea what's going on. Please show me that again?" Chances are, if you don't get something, someone else in your tap class doesn't get it, either. Your tap teacher will be glad you spoke up!
3. Don't obsess about gear. You could go to the nearest dance supply store and drop a lot of cash on dancewear and tap shoes... or you can buy a basic pair of Blochs or Capezios (full sole, please) and wear a t-shirt and some yoga pants to class. If there is a dress code for adult dance students at your studio, absolutely adhere to it, but chances are that students in adult dance classes just need to show up with tap shoes and wearing something easy to move around in.
4. Learn from other dancers. Adult tap classes are often mixed level, but a good teacher will be able to handle that. Don't be discouraged if some students in your tap class have more dance experience than you do. Think of those more experienced dancers as a resource you can tap. Need a combo broken down, but the teacher is helping another student? Want to know how someone else finally mastered a step? Ask your fellow tappers!
5. Commit to your class. Tap dance is a funny thing. Some people take to it like a duck to water, while other people will tell you it's THE hardest dance form to learn. If you've never tapped before, it could be a few weeks before you start to see progress and to feel comfortable in your shoes or with the rapid weight shifting that is a HUGE part of tap dancing. You may find your tap class to be very challenging at first, but stick with it.
6. Remember, practice makes progress. I absolutely understand how hard it is to carve out time for dance practice when you're a grownup. And practicing tap in particular can be tough if you live in an apartment or you don't want to mess up your floors. I tell my students that they can practice in socks. It won't feel the same, but it's better than not practicing at all. Just drill the basics for speed and cleanliness a little bit each day. I tap in the grocery aisles, in bathroom lines... pretty much anywhere other people are standing still, I'm tapping.
7. Don't be afraid of improv. You have NO idea how much I hated improving in my early adult tap years. I was so scared and overwhelmed every time it was my turn to jam. But I got through it! Your classmates will be supportive, not judgy during tap improv sessions so go nuts! Or if improv is not a part of your adult tap classes, you can put on music and improv at home. Improvisational tap is so valuable when you're learning because it helps you feel more comfortable not only with the footwork, but also with counting, tuning into the music, and letting go.
Are you taking an adult tap class? What have your biggest challenges been? How did you overcome them?
Happy dancing!
Want to tap dance? Christa T. teaches kid, teen, and adult tap classes at Dance Enthusiasm in Salem! More info on our upcoming summer schedule: http://www.danceenthusiasm.org/summer/
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!
It can feel awkward to be learning a new skill as a grownup - especially one that uses your body, and especially when there might be a lot of baggage there. Many adult tap dancers and other adult dance students don't have what people think of a "dance body" (though I always argue that any body that dances is a dance body).
Maybe you haven't taken a class in a while, and you won't know anyone else in the class. You don't know when walking into a new dance class for the first time how experienced your fellow students will be. And the levels can differ at different studios, so what's considered basic beginner tap at one studio might be another studio's slow intermediate.
1. Relax! You're headed to tap class because you love the art form or you've always wanted to learn, so mentally prepare yourself to have fun. Will you mess up? Probably! But I've been dancing forever and I still hit my ankle bones with my taps now and then and flub a step here and there. We are all of us works in progress, no matter what level we're at. Strut into tap classes with a growth mindset and don't worry about missteps.
2. Let your teacher know if you don't understand something. I used to be very shy about asking questions whenever I was learning something new (dance or otherwise) so I'd keep quiet and my progress would stall. Eventually, though, I grew out of my shell and now I'm the first person to raise my hand and say, "I have no idea what's going on. Please show me that again?" Chances are, if you don't get something, someone else in your tap class doesn't get it, either. Your tap teacher will be glad you spoke up!
3. Don't obsess about gear. You could go to the nearest dance supply store and drop a lot of cash on dancewear and tap shoes... or you can buy a basic pair of Blochs or Capezios (full sole, please) and wear a t-shirt and some yoga pants to class. If there is a dress code for adult dance students at your studio, absolutely adhere to it, but chances are that students in adult dance classes just need to show up with tap shoes and wearing something easy to move around in.
4. Learn from other dancers. Adult tap classes are often mixed level, but a good teacher will be able to handle that. Don't be discouraged if some students in your tap class have more dance experience than you do. Think of those more experienced dancers as a resource you can tap. Need a combo broken down, but the teacher is helping another student? Want to know how someone else finally mastered a step? Ask your fellow tappers!
5. Commit to your class. Tap dance is a funny thing. Some people take to it like a duck to water, while other people will tell you it's THE hardest dance form to learn. If you've never tapped before, it could be a few weeks before you start to see progress and to feel comfortable in your shoes or with the rapid weight shifting that is a HUGE part of tap dancing. You may find your tap class to be very challenging at first, but stick with it.
6. Remember, practice makes progress. I absolutely understand how hard it is to carve out time for dance practice when you're a grownup. And practicing tap in particular can be tough if you live in an apartment or you don't want to mess up your floors. I tell my students that they can practice in socks. It won't feel the same, but it's better than not practicing at all. Just drill the basics for speed and cleanliness a little bit each day. I tap in the grocery aisles, in bathroom lines... pretty much anywhere other people are standing still, I'm tapping.
7. Don't be afraid of improv. You have NO idea how much I hated improving in my early adult tap years. I was so scared and overwhelmed every time it was my turn to jam. But I got through it! Your classmates will be supportive, not judgy during tap improv sessions so go nuts! Or if improv is not a part of your adult tap classes, you can put on music and improv at home. Improvisational tap is so valuable when you're learning because it helps you feel more comfortable not only with the footwork, but also with counting, tuning into the music, and letting go.
Are you taking an adult tap class? What have your biggest challenges been? How did you overcome them?
Happy dancing!
Want to tap dance? Christa T. teaches kid, teen, and adult tap classes at Dance Enthusiasm in Salem! More info on our upcoming summer schedule: http://www.danceenthusiasm.org/summer/
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!
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