In this series Tristan (our TAPography columnist) helps you find the ideal tap shoes, let you know when it’s time to buy a new pair, and give hands on reviews of the top shoes in the industry.Bloch, SoDanca, Capezio, Leo’s…whose shoe will come out on top? STAY TUNED!
tap dance
Chloe Arnold’s ‘My Life, My Diary, My Dance’
Chloe Arnold is confident in her life’s journey, as is evident in her one woman show, “My Life, My Diary, My Dance”. Through entries of Chloe’s ‘diary’ we come to understand the relationships and circumstances that developed her into the powerhouse performer that she is today. While the style and flow of the evening was uniquely Chloe Arnold, she makes it very clear that this show is not just about her. In this article Chloe Arnold speaks with columnist Tristan Bruns on tap, her influences, and new directions in this review and interview.
Spring Fever Giveaway 2011: Dance Dot
Today’s giveaway comes from Dance Dot. Dance Dot is an individually handcrafted, portable practice floor featuring a fun, lightweight, personalized design, perfect for tap dance students of all ages that want to Keep Dancing! Dance Dot owners, Jackie and Codey would like to give away a Medium Dance Dot to TWO Dance Advantage readers.
Tools for Tap Improvisation: The Time Step
Improvisation is an absolutely essential part of dance education and perhaps more so in tap than in other styles. Tap dance is a very virtuosic art form and the ability to ‘think on your feet’ is absolutely necessary in order to experience everything that tap has to offer. Learn how to use a time step structure as a starting point to hone improvisational skills and express individuality.
Giving Thanks Giveaway: PortableTapFloor.com
Terrence “Taps” wants to giveaway one of his Portable Tap Floors to a Dance Advantage reader. Leave a comment at this post, answering the question: Why would YOU like to own a tap floor from PortableTapFloors.com?
Teaching Tap Improvisation: Exercises for Beginners
Begin with a very structured 4/4 song that does not have any strange segues or extra measures. Have all students beat their hands on their legs, clap or snap to the beat. Continue their time keeping, but have them now count out loud – “1..2..3..4”. Be sure you do not have them count “5..6..7..8”. This is a cardinal sin in the music world, as you’ll find out if you dance with live musicians! Explain to your students that each set of four counts is a measure, or a bar. I often use this with my elementary students who are learning addition and/or multiplication.
