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.

Photo by Wide Eyed Studios

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 Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest at Ensemble Arts Philly, 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.

We accept donations of new or gently used tap shoes for our outreach 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].