The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is a pre-professional tap dance company for young women, ages 9-18, who love rhythm tap and want to take their training to the next level. We are not a studio. We are not a competition team. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and as part of our mission to bring innovative percussive dance to diverse audiences, we provide mentorship to the next generation of hoofers. This year’s auditions will take place on Saturday, June 15.
Acceptance is by audition only. Students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware audition for our Youth Ensemble each spring and accepted dancers rehearse on Sundays through the fall, culminating in our annual production of The Tapcracker at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Our most successful dancers typically come to us with at least three years of previous training, and they recognize the value of master classes, tap festivals, and training in a variety of dance styles. We also offer additional support to Philadelphia public school students who have completed our free Outreach Residency Program.
Advanced dancers age 13+ who demonstrate the requisite technique and maturity may be considered to perform as an Apprentice Dancer in The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble's annual Spring Concert Series. Apprentice Dancer positions are by invitation only and allow dedicated students to train alongside our First Company dancers and work with our guest choreographers.
Many of our Youth Ensemble graduates have auditioned successfully for our First Company once they turn 18. Others have gone on to dance in both Broadway and Off Broadway productions, to perform with tap companies across the country, and to major in dance at top universities and conservatories. (In fact, two of our former Tapcrackers just signed their first professional contracts: one with Disney Cruise Line and one with Royal Caribbean!) Regardless of where our dancers end up, we are always happy to connect them to additional opportunities, and to welcome them back into The Lady Hoofers family when they’re in town between gigs.
Further information on 2024 Auditions, The Tapcracker, our Spring Concert Series, and Rehearsals can be found below.
Acceptance is by audition only. Students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware audition for our Youth Ensemble each spring and accepted dancers rehearse on Sundays through the fall, culminating in our annual production of The Tapcracker at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Our most successful dancers typically come to us with at least three years of previous training, and they recognize the value of master classes, tap festivals, and training in a variety of dance styles. We also offer additional support to Philadelphia public school students who have completed our free Outreach Residency Program.
Advanced dancers age 13+ who demonstrate the requisite technique and maturity may be considered to perform as an Apprentice Dancer in The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble's annual Spring Concert Series. Apprentice Dancer positions are by invitation only and allow dedicated students to train alongside our First Company dancers and work with our guest choreographers.
Many of our Youth Ensemble graduates have auditioned successfully for our First Company once they turn 18. Others have gone on to dance in both Broadway and Off Broadway productions, to perform with tap companies across the country, and to major in dance at top universities and conservatories. (In fact, two of our former Tapcrackers just signed their first professional contracts: one with Disney Cruise Line and one with Royal Caribbean!) Regardless of where our dancers end up, we are always happy to connect them to additional opportunities, and to welcome them back into The Lady Hoofers family when they’re in town between gigs.
Further information on 2024 Auditions, The Tapcracker, our Spring Concert Series, and Rehearsals can be found below.
Auditions will take place at the Institute of Dance Artistry (400 Commerce Dr, Fort Washington, PA 19034) on Saturday, June 15. Pre-registration is required and the audition fee is $25; accepted dancers will have this credited towards their rehearsal fee.
Dancers must be available to rehearse on Sundays afternoons beginning September 8 at Bowman Dance Company & School (1341 Sandy Hill Rd, Norristown, PA 19401), for Dress Rehearsal on Sunday, December 8 at Bowman, and for the full weekend of The Tapcracker at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146), including Tech Rehearsal on Friday, December 13, and performances on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15.
Interested dancers are divided into three age groups for auditions, and dancers who demonstrate exceptional technique may be asked to stay for a second round of auditions with the next age group so that we may further evaluate their potential. (This means if your dancer auditions with the 9-11 age group, we may invite them to return with the 12-15 age group; if they audition with the 16-18 age group, we may invite them to return with our adult dancers).
Saturday, June 15 Audition Schedule
2:30-3:45pm Ages 9-11
3:45-5:00pm Ages 12-15
5:00-6:15pm Ages 16-18
6:30-8:00pm Ages 18+ (First Company)
Questions about The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble or The Tapcracker can be directed to our Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
Dancers must be available to rehearse on Sundays afternoons beginning September 8 at Bowman Dance Company & School (1341 Sandy Hill Rd, Norristown, PA 19401), for Dress Rehearsal on Sunday, December 8 at Bowman, and for the full weekend of The Tapcracker at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146), including Tech Rehearsal on Friday, December 13, and performances on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15.
Interested dancers are divided into three age groups for auditions, and dancers who demonstrate exceptional technique may be asked to stay for a second round of auditions with the next age group so that we may further evaluate their potential. (This means if your dancer auditions with the 9-11 age group, we may invite them to return with the 12-15 age group; if they audition with the 16-18 age group, we may invite them to return with our adult dancers).
Saturday, June 15 Audition Schedule
2:30-3:45pm Ages 9-11
3:45-5:00pm Ages 12-15
5:00-6:15pm Ages 16-18
6:30-8:00pm Ages 18+ (First Company)
Questions about The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble or The Tapcracker can be directed to our Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
Hailed as a “real delight” (ThINKing Dance), this all-tap version of the holiday favorite has “taken its rightful place among the Philadelphia holiday traditions on the Avenue of the Arts” (Broad Street Review). With a cast of over 40 dancers from PA, NJ, and DE, The Tapcracker transports audiences to Paris, where an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos: toy soldiers guard the Eiffel Tower, mice wreak havoc in the Metro, and Duke Ellington’s swinging rendition of the beloved Tchaikovsky score will leave you dancing in your seat.
Join us on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for our Spring Concert Series!
Philadelphia’s own all-women tap company, The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, “is a powerhouse of technique, joy, and passion” (ThINKingDance). The 2024 Spring Concert Series features innovative choreography by Caleb Teicher and Lisa La Touche, audience favorites by Katie Budris and Kat Echevarría Richter, and a world premiere by Sarah Cook Flynn. From reimagined jazz standards to contemporary favorites, “The Lady Hoofers not only can spark the floor, they take tap in unexpected directions” (The Dance Journal).
Note: participation in the Spring Concert for Apprentice Dancers is by invitation only.
Philadelphia’s own all-women tap company, The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, “is a powerhouse of technique, joy, and passion” (ThINKingDance). The 2024 Spring Concert Series features innovative choreography by Caleb Teicher and Lisa La Touche, audience favorites by Katie Budris and Kat Echevarría Richter, and a world premiere by Sarah Cook Flynn. From reimagined jazz standards to contemporary favorites, “The Lady Hoofers not only can spark the floor, they take tap in unexpected directions” (The Dance Journal).
Note: participation in the Spring Concert for Apprentice Dancers is by invitation only.
Auditions and Acceptance
• Dancers will be notified of audition results via email by June 30th.
• Non-refundable 50% deposit will be due online by July 15th.
• Remaining balance will be due at our first rehearsal on September 8th.
• Payment plans are available by request.
• Parents/caregivers should plan to attend our first rehearsal for orientation, a full company meeting (during which casting for The Tapcracker will be announced!) and a light reception hosted by our returning Youth Ensemble families.
• Non-refundable 50% deposit will be due online by July 15th.
• Remaining balance will be due at our first rehearsal on September 8th.
• Payment plans are available by request.
• Parents/caregivers should plan to attend our first rehearsal for orientation, a full company meeting (during which casting for The Tapcracker will be announced!) and a light reception hosted by our returning Youth Ensemble families.
Rehearsal Fees
The rehearsal fee for participation in The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is $495. Accepted Youth Ensemble dancers will receive:
• Three months of instruction in company repertoire
• Experience working with professional choreographers
• Training in performance, musicality, and improvisation
• Professional performance opportunity on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts
• A photo shoot and headshots with a professional photographer (in August; date TBD)
• A DVD of the 2024 performance of The Tapcracker
• Pre-sale access to purchase tickets for The Tapcracker prior to public sale
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email [email protected] for further information. Additional company merchandise will also be available for purchase at The Tapcracker.
Please note: Rehearsals will focus on choreography, not technique; dancers are expected to continue taking regular tap classes at their home studios and are also encouraged to take ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
• Three months of instruction in company repertoire
• Experience working with professional choreographers
• Training in performance, musicality, and improvisation
• Professional performance opportunity on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts
• A photo shoot and headshots with a professional photographer (in August; date TBD)
• A DVD of the 2024 performance of The Tapcracker
• Pre-sale access to purchase tickets for The Tapcracker prior to public sale
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email [email protected] for further information. Additional company merchandise will also be available for purchase at The Tapcracker.
Please note: Rehearsals will focus on choreography, not technique; dancers are expected to continue taking regular tap classes at their home studios and are also encouraged to take ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
Rehearsals
Weekly rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons between 2:00-5:00pm beginning after Labor Day at Bowman Dance Company & School in Norristown. Dependent upon casting, select dancers may be asked to attend rehearsal with the adult dancers of our First Company from 5:00-8:00pm on specific dates. In November, all dancers should expect to stay as late at 8:00pm for full run-throughs with the entire cast. Dancers MUST ATTEND all Sunday rehearsals leading up to the concert (no rehearsal will be held Thanksgiving weekend). Dancers who miss two or more rehearsals will be released from the company and their rehearsal fee will not be refunded.
Performances
Tech rehearsal and performances will be held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in Philadelphia. Select dancers may also be invited for media appearances and/or additional public performances in October or November. Past seasons have included PHL17 Morning News, NBC 10 - Philly Live, Fox 29 News, The Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center, RiverRink Winterfest, and Winter in Franklin Square.
Testimonials
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"The Lady Hoofers are very polished, professional, and detail-oriented. Every aspect of the experience was well-organized from the audition to the final performance . . . Additionally, The Lady Hoofers, with all of their personal accomplishments in education, careers, motherhood, etc., represented how tap can still fit into the fullness of a woman's life and be generously shared with the community and younger generation. Very inspiring!" -Emelyn Hatch, Youth Ensemble Parent
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"I just have to tell you that not only does Daelyn LOVE being a part of The Lady Hoofers, Dana and I truly appreciate all of the TIME, EFFORT and HARD WORK you ladies dedicate to the organization. Your professionalism, organization, and friendliness are exceptional and I only wish more organizations ran like yours! Being a dad of two girls, I am always looking for positive role models for my daughters to emulate . . . I am so grateful that Daelyn is part of The Lady Hoofers." -Dan Phelan, Youth Ensemble Parent
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"The Youth Ensemble was the perfect performance opportunity for my tap-loving dancer! She studies tap at her performing arts school but doesn’t have many chances to perform for the general public . . . My daughter came out of the experience with a great sense of accomplishment having learned and performed challenging choreography. She thoroughly enjoyed performing in front of new audiences and was thrilled to make new tap friends." -Missy Layden, Youth Ensemble Parent
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The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble is supported by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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