Youth Program Schedule
Youth Program officially begins on Monday, September 9th, 2024
Registration is processed with assistance from our reception team.
Online registration for Youth is not available to ensure students
enroll in the correct level of class).
Please contact info@tapdancecentral.org or call 646-921-9705 to register.
Note for new students with prior tap dance training:
WE STRIVE TO FIND THE BEST FIT FOR YOU. Students new to the program should contact our team
for recommendations for the best class level to enter the program.
Free level assessments are available with staff for onboarding new students, and can be scheduled now.
Please contact Susan Hebach by email shebach@tapdancecentral.org or 646-921-9705 to schedule.
Youth Program Schedule 23-24
Tuition & Fees
Our program is based on a 9 month schedule, from mid-September through mid-June.
Tuition rates are based on class length. There are 1 hour classes for younger/fundamental level classes,
and extended 1 hour and 15 minute classes as students progress to a higher level.
There is a $50 registration fee and a $100 concert fee for each student.
These fees are essential and help cover administration costs,
and production related costs for our year end performance,
which includes live music, professional lighting and sound, and more!
We plan to have a holiday showcase for all students who would like to participate, tentatively either Dec. 7/8 or 14/15.
We are negotiating a date for our end of season show, STAY TUNED!
All Ensemble groups are by invitation or audition only.
Please contact Susan Hebach directly at info@tapdancecentral.org for more information.
Tuition can be payed in one installment at the beginning of the year,
or three installments (September, January, March).
Scholarship support is available, application is required.
Please contact Susan Hebach at info@tapdancecentral.org
and place "SCHOLARSHIP" in the subject line.
Tuition
1 hour class: $1017
This includes levels:
Young Rhythm Makers
Tap FUNdamentals
Shim Sham Crew
1.25 hour class: $1,250
This includes levels:
Copasetic Club
Time Steps & Traditions
Hoofers & Hitters
TDC Jr. Ensemble:
Includes 1 class of 1.25 hour & 1.25 hour rehearsal, includes discount of $100 for 2nd class
$2400
TDC Ensemble III:
2.75 hours, class and rehearsal combined
$2200
TDC Ensemble II:
2.75 hours, class and rehearsal combined
$2156
TDC Ensemble I:
3 hours, class and rehearsal combined
$1980
Fees
All students pay $50 registration fee
All students pay $100 concert fee (date & location TBD)
Students who elect to participate in the Holiday show will contribute $20 (date TBD)
TDC I/II/III Ensembles pay $100 additional materials fee to offset select costume pieces and items related to performance
Total
For 1hr class: $1,167
For 1.25 hour class: $1400
For TDC Jr. Ensemble: $2400
For TDC Ensemble III: $2450
For TDC Ensemble II: $2406
For TDC Ensemble I: $2,230
**Note: TDC Ensemble tuitions are slightly subsidized based on the premise that many students have participated in the program for multiple years and serve as TDC ambassadors in the community through performances and events. We value our longstanding students and who add value to our program through their hard work and dedication to our mission and goals.
Description of Class Levels
Young Rhythm Makers: For our youngest dancers ages 5-7, this is a creative introduction to tap dance using creative dance, games and exercises incorporating basic tap vocabulary. Students explore tap history through books and video on a variety of dancers who have fascinating and important life histories, such as Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Peg Leg Bates, Fred Astaire and more.
Tap FUNdamentals: Beginner level dancers find the "fun" in fundamental basics! Dancers concentrate on learning the basic foundational vocabulary of tap dance, explore music concepts and beginning improvisation. Students learn how to warm up, travel across the floor, and combine different basic steps to make combinations. Students explore the a variety of tap artiststhrough video and discussion, both from the rich historical legacy of tap dance and present day tap community.
Shim Sham Crew: Students with 3 years or more of experience build upon their skills and begin to learn historical repertory of the Copasetics such as the famous "Shim Sham". Students are introduced to more complex ideas and technique including time steps, paddle and roll combinations, and more challenging choreography. Students explore the history of the Shim Sham and its creator, Leonard Reed, among others.
Copasetic Club: (4-5 years of tap experience) Students at this level have developed intermediate skills and are ready to learn tap repertory. Students progress forward in tap technique, improvisational skills and classic repertory that passed down from a rich tap legacy of the Copasetics, such as the Coles Stroll, the Copasetic Soft Shoe, and parts of "Doin' the New Low Down". Students explore more complex rhythm time steps, paddle and roll combinations, and begin working on steps such as pullbacks and wings. Students explore the history of the Copasetics and dancers most associated with this historic group, such as Bill "Bojangle" Robinson (for which the group was formed in his honor) and Charles "Honi" Coles, the choreographer of the Coles Stroll.
Time Steps & Traditions: (Intermediate Level Tap for Youth)
Syncopation and Swing are the inspiration here, and the focus is on further development of technique, learning more complicated and challenging time steps from the masters including Leon Collins, Cookie Cook, Eddie Brown and more. Students are encouraged to create time steps of their own. The classic dance "the B.S. Chorus" is explored, and exciting moves such as pullbacks, wings and over the tops and flash steps are added to our skills list. Students take a deeper look into fascinating historical pioneers of classic flash tap, the Nicholas Brothers and continue to explore modern day revolutionaries and their contributions to tap dance, such as Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, Gregory Hines and more.
Hoofers and Hitters: For intermediate/advanced teens. Focus is on a continuation of cultivating technique, improvisational skills, and learning & creating choreography. Exploration on contemporary and historical styles, use of a range of jazz and contemporary music.
Important Dates
& Holidays
