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Description: Why take a tap class? Why NOT? Anyone at any age can learn how to tap dance!!!! It’s fun, challenging, and great exercise for your body and your brain.
Tap dancing is an enjoyable way to get your heart rate up and work your core. With proper weight placement you can improve balance, coordination and control all while having fun.
Tap dancing consists of learning and memorizing rhythm patterns. Repeating, reversing and counting the rhythm patterns are mental exercises that promote healthy brain activity and can help ward off disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Tap dancing can be a uniquely satisfying physical and emotional release because of its ability to produce sound. Not only will you be listening to music in class you will be making music with your feet!
Two sessions will be offered:
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS! Just what it sounds like. Adults (18+) with no experience at all. This class will start with a tap warmup and the most basic moves, progressing naturally to meet the needs of the students.
ADVANCED BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE: Adults (18+) must have some tap training and basic knowledge of steps such as shuffle, flap, waltz clog, cramp roll. This class will progress to meet the needs of each student. There may be multi skill-levels in the class. Everyone will be encouraged to work at their own pace and will be given attention to ensure each individual is feeling comfortable but challenged.
Class Requirements:
Tap Shoes
Comfortable clothing
Water Bottle
Towel
At home practice is encouraged but NOT MANDATORY so don’t stress!!
This class is meant to be fun!
Steps will be repeated weekly and if you don’t understand something just ask. Students will be permitted to record sections of their class for at home practice so have your phone handy but silenced during class.
But remember - Practice = Progress!
Tuition: $120, Walk-ins: $25
Looking for tap shoes? You can purchase tap shoes at the following locations:
IN STORE:
Dancingly Yours - 125 East St, Plainville, CT 06062
Dance Village - 171 Spencer St, Manchester, CT 06040
ONLINE:
Discount Dance
Absolute Beginners!
Ages: 18+
Location: Simsmore Square
Advanced Beginners/Intermediate
Ages: 18+
Location: Simsmore Square
Darlene is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Playhouse on Park where she has directed PIPPIN, NUNSENSE, CHICAGO (Best Director of a Musical/Broadway World,) PINKALICIOUS, ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE,SWINGING ON A STAR and THAT HOLIDAY FEELING, SAY THINGS FUNNY, and choreographed; PIPPIN, INTO THE WOODS, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, IN THE HEIGHTS, A CHORUS LINE, HAIR, CABARET, PASSING STRANGE among others. She is the founder, director and choreographer of stop/time dance theater, the resident dance company of Playhouse on Park, now in its twentieth year. She was voted Best Director of a Musical/Broadway World for I’D RATHER BE DANCING. CT Critics Circle nominee for Best Choreographer for HAIR, ROCKIN’ THE FOREST and IN THE HEIGHTS. She IS Mama D of MAMA D’s OUTRAGEOUS ROMP; a grown ups only music, dance and comedy event-exclusive to the Playhouse. Social media followers know her as "the driveway lady" for having taught 450 consecutive days of WE'RE BETTER WHEN WE'RE DANCING dance classes online during the pandemic where she gathered a loyal following. Darlene is a former adjunct professor at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School where she directed and choreographed CHICAGO and did the choreography for ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, SMILE, CURTAINS and NUNSENSE. She also teaches dance classes for adults at The 224 ECOSpace and is a dance/fitness instructor at Big Sky Fitness in Vernon.
