American Youth
Dance Theater
Where joy and technique take center stage
Tap
With its emphasis on rhythm, balance, and shifting weight, tap dance offers physical and cognitive benefits, as well as an abundance of team-building fun, as students explore musical elements, learn note value, beat, accents, phrase syncopation, rhythms, and patterns. As they progress through the curriculum, our dancers grow in self-confidence and expression by learning and mastering fundamentals, and then creating percussive footwork rhythms with increasing complexity, ultimately composing their own music in a fun and supportive class environment.
Attentive, caring, inspiring
Students are trained at the highest technical standards while learning in a positive, developmentally sound environment. Class sizes are kept small, providing individual attention by highly experienced dance education professionals with a motivational and caring approach. We place strong emphasis on technique, proper alignment, and safety, in relation to the individual physicality of each student.
A fit for every dancer
Readiness skills are introduced in our Junior Division Tap Intro class for children in Pre-K 4 through Kindergarten. Basic skills are taught once children enter First Grade, followed by progressing levels from beginner to advanced.
We pride ourselves on offering various training options to a wide range of dance interests, from strong weekly recreational classes to advanced pre-professional classes, as well as beginner classes for older children and teens. To determine the appropriate class for your child, scroll down to see our complete list of offerings.
Develop confidence through performance.
Students in elementary through high school perform in our annual Holiday Spectacular, as well as our Senior Division Spring Recital, both performed in a professional theater.
Students in Pre-K through Kindergarten are showcased in our Junior Division Holiday and Spring Recitals, performed in an intimate setting at our Upper East Side studio.
Class Offerings
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Tap 1A |
Beginning-level tap instruction for students in grades 1-3. |
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Tap 1B |
Advanced beginner level for grades 3-6. |
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Open Level Tap |
Open to older beginner/intermediate students in grades five and up. |
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Tap 2 * |
Grades 4-7. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. |
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Tap 3 * |
Grades 4-8. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. |
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Intermediate Tap * |
Upper-level students, grades 6 & up, are placed by faculty recommendation or audition only. |
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Advanced/Inter Tap ** |
Upper-level students, grades 7-12, placement is by faculty recommendation or audition |
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Advanced Tap ** |
Upper-level students, grades 9-12, placement is by faculty recommendation or audition |
* Placement in higher-level classes is by teacher recommendation or audition.
* See Calendar for dates of mandatory Saturday Holiday and Spring recital rehearsals
