The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is comprised of young women, ages 9-18, who excel in tap and want to continue their training alongside professional dancers. Students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware audition in the summer and accepted dancers rehearse with the company through the fall, culminating in our annual production of THE TAPCRACKER at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Advanced dancers who demonstrate the requisite technique and maturity may also be invited to perform in The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble's annual spring concert ON TAP as Apprentice Dancers.
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Dancers audition in the summer for placement into the Youth Ensemble and rehearse from September through December. The ensemble is led by company directors Kat Echevarria Richter, Katie Budris, and Tamera Dallam.
Rehearsals 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. |
PHOTO BY: BILL HEBERT
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2023 Auditions
Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023!
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Performance
The Youth Ensemble performs in The Lady Hoofers' annual professional production of THE TAPCRACKER, a full-length, all-tap version of the classic holiday favorite. Set to the music of both Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington, THE TAPCRACKER transports audiences to Paris, where an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos. Toy soldiers guard the Eiffel Tower, mice wreck havoc in the Metro, and frazzled chefs prefer for a feast at the magical palace of Versailles, featuring characters from the beloved Land of the Sweets. For the fourth year running, our production will take place at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, thanks in part to grant support from The Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
PHOTOS BY: SA'MANTHA SAYTEN
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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 . . . The dancers were expected to work hard at rehearsals. But The Lady Hoofers were great role models of passion and professionalism. 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 |
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
• A DVD of the 2023 performance of THE TAPCRACKER
• Pre-sale access to purchase tickets for THE TAPCRACKER prior to public sale
• 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
• A DVD of the 2023 performance of THE TAPCRACKER
• Pre-sale access to purchase tickets for THE TAPCRACKER prior to public sale
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A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email info@ladyhoofers.org for further information. Additional company merchandise will also be available for purchase at THE TAPCRACKER. |
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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
Shoes & Costumes
Costumes and accessories will be supplied by The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble and will remain property of the ensemble. Dancers are expected to provide their own shoes and undergarments but no additional costume fees will be charged; for a complete list of required undergarments and recommended shoes, download our costume details here.
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The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble was a great experience for Journey. She got a unique opportunity to learn from and dance alongside of tap professionals. Her performance quality, confidence, and motivation (as well as tap technique) have definitely improved because of this experience. -Adrienne Orcutt, Youth Ensemble parent |
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. Unfortunately, these days it's a little difficult find which is why I am so grateful that Daelyn is part of The Lady Hoofers. - Dan Phelan, Youth Ensemble parent |
