The Lady Hoofers collect gently used tap shoes for use in our arts education program. Since 2013, we run a residency program in partnership with Mascher Space Coop in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia to provide free tap classes (and shoes!) to fifth graders from Moffet Elementary School. We also use donated shoes for workshops and lecture demonstrations, which allow students who do not own tap shoes or may not have tap danced before to experience the art form for the first time.
Our outreach efforts have been supported by Capezio, Gabrielle Ammirato of Access 2 the Arts, Footloose, and OnPointe Dance and Activewear, all of whom have collected and donated new and used tap shoes for use in our education programs. If you have gently used tap shoes to donate, or if you are interested in setting up a collection bin at your studio or school, please contact us. |
The Lady Hoofers' program "allows the children to see all of the possibilities of education; it removes the walls from their classrooms and takes them out into the world... We have observed students who do not participate in the classroom engage in conversations with the instructors and visiting artists and the students are more willing to take risks as they work through the lessons." -Fifth grade teachers, Moffet Elementary School "Children exposed to the arts do better in school, have higher self esteem, and are more creative; some stay in school specifically to have access to the arts. The arts help children develop the skills to be more collaborative, innovative and culturally aware, and this helps them succeed in today’s globally connected world... Unfortunately, due to budget limitations in many towns in America today, including my own, arts programs are at risk of being reduced or cut altogether." -Gabrielle Ammirato, Access 2 the Arts |
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