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OVERVIEW

Tap Dance is an exciting, percussive, rhythmical dance form. The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out a melody, with tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. Tap dance is a theatrical art form often seen on screen and stage in musicals.

 

DISCOVER

History of the Faculty

Tap dance is an American art form, born of the fusion of cultures on American soil. Influenced by African rhythms, Irish stepping, and English clogging, it developed in the late 19th century and by the early 1900s was firmly established in the vaudeville of America and in the music halls of Britain. Its popularity spread even more widely in the 1930s when it became a significant component of musical films.

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EXAMS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Tap exams and qualifications

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Tap exams and Medal Tests are recognised internationally for their quality and excellence.

Please note the following: 

The Tap Faculty have released new, optional, playlists for Grade 6, Advanced 1 and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Tap Awards. These can be found in the Files section of the Tap Facebook page along with our other playlists. From 1 January 2023 exam candidates can either continue to use the existing set music, use the tracks on the new playlists or use a combination of both.

To fall in line with the examination format that we will be introducing with the new/revised Advanced 1 Tap syllabus, the Tap Faculty are also making changes to the Intermediate Tap Examination format.

Please note that the syllabus exercises are not changing, and it is only the format for examinations taken from 1 October 2024. 

See the full explanation of changes to the Intermediate Tap Examination here.

About our exams

 

Please note that there will be a revised Marking Scheme for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Tap Awards from 1 January 2023. In addition, there will also be a slight revision to the Mark Scheme for the Popular Tap Test (Levels and Medals) from the same date. To view these revisions visit the Syllabus Outline section of our website after 19 December.

 

DANCE

Events and activities

With close ties to the profession, the Tap faculty have a diverse and exciting range of events and courses running throughout the year. Highlights of the event programme are the Star Tap Challenge and Tap Bursary Awards.

Browse current events

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Tap Dance Faculty Committee

Our Faculty Committees are the vital link between the members of the Society and the staff and trustees and provide a two-way channel for communication and consultation with the wider membership body.

Meet the Team

Testimonial

The creators of the Syllabi have cleverly encapsulated all that Tap is, culminating in this conglomerate of ability, skill, rhythm and artistry.

SIMONE MARSHALL-KLEINENBERG

Teacher and Choreographer at Waterfront Theatre School

 

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