Are You a True Tap Teacher?
…Or do you just demonstrate a tap combo for your class? These are the "musts" that I believe make a true tap teacher.
True tap teachers:
– Use their smiling mouth, not just their feet when teaching.
– Use a graded tap syllabus to keep the progression of the students on track.
– Know there is no such thing as pre-tap. Tap is tap regardless of how old the student is.
– Are able to instruct students from 3 years through 73 years of age while keeping their enthusiasm, interest and energy up without problems.
– Know when to use and when not to use music in class.
– Use a wide selection of music when teaching, always keeping the volume set at medium in order for the students to hear the teacher’s tap sounds and vice versa.
– Create class plans and keep notes for all classes taught.
– Are familiar with and use proper tap terminology while teaching, thus familiarizing the students with the correct name of each technique.
– Know that a good tap warm-up includes the entire body and mind, not just the feet and ankles.
– Know that beginner tappers should start with single sounds and progress through doubles, triples, quads and so on as their level advances.
– Know that good balance and proper body alignment are key ingredients in creating a good tapper. The placement and correct use of arm movements also helps through this progression.
– Know the importance of teaching rhythm patterns to students through clapping and/or hand props before executing them with the feet.
– Know how to count tap moves and use these tap counts for each sound or hold when teaching technique and combinations.
– Understand that being able to write and read correct tap notes, with counts, is a great teaching aid for them and their students.
– Should always have an open mind for learning new, improved and proven teaching methods, regardless of how long they have been teaching.
– Know the importance of being able to recognize, as well as teach syncopation, accents and shading.
– Know the importance of ballet classes when training students who want to “go pro.”
– Are comfortable “mixing it up” in terms of their choreography. Tap routines are not just about the feet; the top of the body is very important in selling the performance.
– Recognize the importance of the correct style and proper fit of tap shoes for dancers of all ages and levels.
– Know that it is important to have students demonstrate their work, one at a time, at least once a month. This allows you, the teacher, to hear if the sounds they are making are right or wrong.
– Know that their older intermediate to advanced students should be able to work in heel tap shoes, especially those who want to become professional dancers.
– Should be able to choreograph to varied musical genres including soft shoe, jazz tap, waltz, clog, military, rhythm tap and so many more.
– Realize that their work only comes alive with good talent and great staging.
– Are passionate about their craft and are a valuable asset to any studio for many years. As your age grows and your knees go, you can still teach with your mouth, mind and mannerisms.
So, do you incorporate these "musts" into your classes? Are you a true tap teacher or are you just a demonstrator? I know there are still many "musts" that I did not have room to list here. Do you have a special "must" that you’d like to share with me and our readers? If so, please send it to me at daniebeck@dancersuniverse.com. Until next time… Thanks for chatting!