The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble is committed to social justice and arts education.  As part of our mission to raise the profile of rhythm tap, we offer performances, classes, lecture demonstrations, workshops and long-term residencies.

Residencies

Residencies provide students with a long-term immersion in the arts. Since 2013, we have run our "Tap Dance for All" residency program for the entire fifth grade class from Moffet Elementary School, providing students with an in-depth introduction to the art of rhythm tap. Students receive free tap shoes and free tap lessons taught by our teaching artists for 8 weeks during the fall semester. Classes focus on technique, improvisation, musicality, tap history, listening games, and student-choreographed combinations. Students share their work in an end-of-semester performance and select dancers are invited to perform a walk-on role in The Lady Hoofers' holiday production at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

Pop Ups

Each year, the ensemble gives a number of free Pop Up Performances at community events and festivals such as West Park Arts Fest, Headhouse Farmer's Market, and World Dance Day. We have also provided entertainment at fundraisers for numerous non-profit organizations including Pennsylvania Ballet and Pig Iron Theater Company.

Keep on Tappin'

As part of our mission to make tap dance accessible to all, we launched our Keep on Tappin' initiative in 2019 through which we provide free, gently used tap shoes to kids. We have distributed shoes at local events including the Kimmel Cultural Campus' Fall Arts Fest, and Arts on Center Stage at Philadelphia's City Hall. Recipients also receive a QR code to access tutorial videos produced by the company that teach tap dance basics.

Workshops

We offer workshops for both children and adults lasting between one and three hours.  Programs include basic tap technique and vocabulary, listening exercises, improvisation games and a performance by The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble. Workshops can also be tailored for specific curriculum connections (i.e. geography, music, history, anthropology, etc).

Lectures

Since 2011, The Lady Hoofers have been offering engaging Lecture Demonstrations for a variety of clients and organizations. Programs last between 30 and 60 minutes and include tap history, listening exercises and a performance by The Lady Hoofers.

We accept donations of new or gently used tap shoes for our education programs and for distribution to local students. For more information about how your dance studio, business, or youth organization can get involved or to arrange for a donation pick up, please email [email protected]

**NOTE** We are not accepting tap shoe donations at this time. Many thanks to Capezio and Traveling Tutus, Inc. for their generous donations to fill our current needs!