tap: world class, pre-professional training
Goals of the Tap Program From Level 1 through Level 7
MSA’s Tap syllabus is specifically designed to enable students to learn using a framework of technical progression based on Broadway Tap skills with Rhythm Tap influence, with a specific focus on rhythms, musicality and articulated footwork.
From Level 8 through Level 10
Students will have the opportunity to take specialized classes in Broadway Tap and/or Rhythm Tap.
Through participation in MSA’s Tap program, students will:
- Study Tap as a leisure and / or vocational activity.
- Experience a technical and artistic framework, age-appropriately devised taking into consideration their physical, cognitive and emotional development, which challenges students and measures the technical, musical and performance skills in the Tap genre.
- Experience fun and lively dance movements to a variety of music.
- Have the opportunity, at the advanced level, to experience a variety of Tap styles, including Broadway and Rhythm Tap.
Tap 1 (age 7 – 9)
Course Completion: Generally 1 – 2 years
Description: This course of study enables students to demonstrate an understanding of basic Tap technique, which develops an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 1 (age 10 – 12)
Course Completion: Generally 1 – 2 years
Description: This course of study enables students to demonstrate an understanding of basic Tap technique, which develops an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. While the class follows MSA’s Tap 1 syllabus, student skill acquisition will be at a more rapid rate than Tap 101. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 2
Placement required.
Description: This course of study continues to develop students’ understanding of basic Tap technique, incorporating an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 3
Placement Required
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course of study continues to develop students’ understanding of basic Tap technique, incorporating an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. While the class follows MSA’s Tap 2 syllabus, student skill acquisition will be at a more rapid rate than Tap 201. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 4
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course of study continues to develop students’ understanding of basic Tap technique, incorporating an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. While the class follows MSA’s Tap 2 syllabus, student skill acquisition will be at a more rapid rate than Tap 201. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 5
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course of study builds upon the students’ mastery of basic Tap technique and continues to develop their skills at an intermediate level. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of combinations, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more complex combinations across the floor, which incorporate specific skills such as turns and changes of direction. Rhythms are more challenging and performed at a faster speed. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 6 )
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course of study builds upon the students’ mastery of basic Tap technique and continues to develop their skills at an intermediate level. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of combinations, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more complex combinations across the floor, which incorporate specific skills such as turns and changes of direction. Rhythms are more challenging and performed at a faster speed. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 7
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course of study builds upon the students’ mastery of basic Tap technique and continues to develop their skills at an intermediate level. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of combinations, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more complex combinations across the floor, which incorporate specific skills such as turns and changes of direction. Rhythms are more challenging and performed at a faster speed. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 8
Course Completion: Generally 3 – 4 years
Description: This course of study continues to develop students’ Tap skills at an intermediate level. General concepts include: Tap aeronautics, improvisation, the mastery of syncopated rhythms and understanding Tap as music. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 9
Must be placed by instructor
Course Completion: Generally 3 – 4 years
Description: Students in this class master Tap skills at an intermediate level and are introduced to advanced technical skills. General concepts include the ability to choreograph Tap using musical principles, improvise with confidence, pick up choreography quickly and to perform complex combinations with both feet. Students study differing movement dynamics and are encouraged to develop a high level of performance skills. They will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap 10
Must be placed by instructor
Course Completion: Generally 3 – 4 years
Description: Designed for the advanced student, this course enables mastery of advanced Rhythm Tap technique. General concepts include the ability to choreograph Tap using musical principles, improvise with confidence and creativity, pick up choreography quickly and to perform complex combinations with both feet. Students continue to study differing movement dynamics and are encouraged to develop a high level of performance skills. They will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap Introduction for 13+ (age 13 -18)
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course is specifically designed for older students who are continuing their Tap training, and who are expected to progress at a faster rate than younger students at this level. It builds upon the students’ mastery of basic Tap technique and continues to develop their skills at an intermediate level. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of combinations, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more complex combinations across the floor, which incorporate specific skills such as turns and changes of direction. Rhythms are more challenging and performed at a faster speed. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Description: This course is specifically designed for older students who are learning Tap for the first time, and who are expected to progress at a faster rate than younger students at this level. Students demonstrate an understanding of basic Tap technique, which develops an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
Tap Intermediate (age 13 -18)
Course Completion: Generally 2 – 3 years
Description: This course is specifically designed for older students who are learning Tap for the first time, and who are expected to progress at a faster rate than younger students at this level. Students demonstrate an understanding of basic Tap technique, which develops an awareness of different sounds, rhythms and actions of the feet. Classes begin with an energizing warm up, followed by a series of steps, which are performed in-place and focus on rhythmical, articulated footwork. These exercises develop into more coordinated movements across the floor. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour
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