Advocating for Tap Dance Through the Study of Tap Dance Pedagogy

Department

Theatre and Dance

Authors

Lindsey Simpson, Western Kentucky UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

In private dance studios today, less importance is placed on students learning tap dance technique compared to other genres of dance, which is likely due to a lack of available teachers with the proper training and understanding of the tap dance technique and pedagogy. As a result, students in many private dance studios are left with limited training opportunities in tap dance, and older dancers that lost the chance to train in tap dance at a young age often become discouraged and uncomfortable with the genre. Because of this, older students need an opportunity to train in tap dance at a beginning level.

After researching and studying tap dance pedagogy through the Karida Griffith Tap Teacher Training Program, I developed a tap dance lesson for older beginner tap dancers. Additionally, I incorporated elements of my advertising major to promote and spread awareness for the course by using the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite to design a logo, flyers, and social media posts. I contacted studios in the Kentucky/Tennessee area and was successful in scheduling my class with four private dance studios. In teaching these classes, I found that students were initially hesitant, but as the class progressed they became more engaged and eager to learn.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Amanda Clark, M.F.A.

Disciplines

Advertising and Promotion Management | Dance | Other Theatre and Performance Studies

Recommended Citation

Simpson, Lindsey, "Advocating for Tap Dance Through the Study of Tap Dance Pedagogy" (2024). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 1023.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/1023