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Active - Public

Dance

I started dance later in life -- tap at 19 and ballet at 31 -- because I was so tall and awkward as a child. It never occurred to me that people my size could be dancers. I fell in love with dance as an escape from a stressful job teaching high school history. I saw such changes in myself the more I danced--more joy, more coordination, more self-esteem, more freedom, more self-love, more wonder at the world and my body. I became so lit up about dance, I realized I wanted to teach dance to adults and help them find that same wonderful escape and self-discovery. Quitting my "day job" was one of the best decisions I ever made!

So, you've done a "shuffle" and you've heard the word "paradiddle". You'd even recognize a "Shirley Temple" if you saw one. This class is for you! If you are returning to tap after a break, or are just getting started, this class will bring you up to speed with basic 2-, 3-, and 4-sound steps like shuffle, flap, paradiddle, riff, drawback, buffalo, Irish, and Shirley Temple. At the end of class, we'll take these steps and put them into a dance! Tap shoes are not necessary, but are more fun. :)

* Not recommended for students who have never tapped before. If you are interested in learning tap for the very first time, try my fundamentals class!

The Tap Dance Class for "I've Tapped a Little"

Ballet

Tap Dance

Beginner

Intermediate

Finalist in Frostbite International Film Festival

Instructor of Adult Beg/Int Tap, and tap substitute for other levels

Tap Instructor

Ballet Instructor

English

I’m available to teach private lessons for teens and adults interested in learning to do tap or ballet for the first time, or who want to improve their skills. My strengths are patience, enthusiasm, and an unusual way of approaching dance. I’m not famous or particularly interested in becoming famous, so if that’s your goal, I’m not the right teacher for you. I strongly believe everyone can dance, and should. All bodies can learn to dance and enjoy themselves. Dance should be joyful, about self-expression, and a way of learning about your body and your spirit. Finally, I believe it’s never too late to start learning something new, and your bucket list should not wait until you retire.

I'm 59 and was very nervous about starting ballet at this age. But Kristen was so helpful! Very clear instructions and support. Pacing was great, and she really listens to your questions and concerns. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Kristen is awesome. :)

Kristen is amazing.. fun, knowledgeable and articulate... excellent teacher.  I'm looking forward to continuing with her!

Amazing instructor, made ballet feel accessible and really down to earth chats. Would recommended gor everyone!

If you’re looking to learn tap for the first time, and have any kind of doubt or fear about how good you will be, don’t hesitate to go through Kristen!!! She meets you exactly where you’re at and is great at affirming what you’re doing well. And she’s just an all around joy to learn from!! I had never done any form of dance before taking these lessons, and I can confidently say I won’t be putting away my tap shoes anytime soon. Love tap, love Kristen, she’s worth more than 5 stars!!

I had a really good time and will for sure take another lesson! Would recommend :]

More than incredible first experience, no question I will return and invest more time with her. She is extremely warm, personable and really knows her stuff. So happy to have found her!

Kristen is a human that makes her students feel immediately at ease. She is kind, quirky, and hilarious, but more importantly, she is patient and meets students where they are to ultimately fulfill their potential and their goals. I first started taking tap classes from Kristen a few years ago as a nervous adult (25 yo) seeking a bare bones beginner tap class. Since then, having incorporated exercises, games, and routines to awesome music, I have come leaps and bounds, built up my courage and confidence, and am proud to officially feel part of the tap community. If you’re looking for an excellent teacher, regardless of experience level, look no further!

I can not say enough positive things about Kristen and her teaching! She is one of the best teachers I have had. She understands that adults learn differently than kids. Kristen has a great way of giving feedback that inspires you to grow and learn. I especially enjoy the flexibility she demonstrates in her teaching style. If I am not getting something, the next week she has a different method to teach it and bingo, it has clicked.

Tap dancing is FUN!  Kristen makes it even more fun!  I love her teaching style. She’s the best!

Kristen is an amazing teacher; she exudes a love for dance.  Her teaching style is supportive and encouraging. Her feedback is provided in a gentle way. She is excellent at explaining all the steps in ballet and tap.  I look forward to my lessons with her and have loved her teaching style so much during ballet that I am now taking tap lessons with her. I think Kristen is the perfect teacher for adults wanting to learn ballet and tap and I highly recommend taking lessons with her.

Love taking tap with Kristen! What I love about her is that she meets you where you need to be met and change her approach to teaching a step or skill so that it makes sense to you. If you are an adult beginner, she makes everything really assessable- especially if you don’t have any dance experience. You might go into your first lesson or class nervous, but by the end you’ll have learned how to tap and feel at ease and excited for your next class! Her class is the highlight of my week!

Kristen is an amazing teacher! She has such a wonderful way of inspiring a hard work ethic. She corrects with kindness when needed, and maintains a delightfully positive attitude throughout the lesson. Coming back to ballet in adulthood, as a former professional dancer— I had a lot of anxiety and trepidation about returning. Kristen has been incredibly supportive, understanding, enthusiastic, and compassionate; she guides with joy, intelligence and empathy, in a highly articulate and informative manner. I recommend her to anyone and everyone; take her class, you’ll be thrilled, I promise.

Check out this last step in this "family" of 4 steps. The Maxie Ford is very similar to the Buffalo, it just has one extra sound. Video includes a breakdown of the step, technique tips, a combo to practice at home, and a challenge at the end. 

Tap in Ten #11 -- Maxie Ford

This nice little 5-sound step is similar to the Irish and the Buffalo. We talk a little about music (3/4 vs. 4/4) in this video too! Video includes breakdown of the step, technique tips, places to pause and practice, a combo to practice at home, and a challenge at the end! Enjoy!

Tap in Ten #10 -- Waltz Clog

Learn this staple of Irish step dancing which is also a common tap step! It is a four-sound step, very much like the buffalo. Video includes an overview of the step, technique tips, a combination to practice at home, and a challenge at the end!

Tap in Ten #9 -- Irish

Time to level up to a slightly more difficult 4-sound step! This famous tap step is made up of 3 steps we already know! This video includes an overview of the step, chances to pause and practice, technique and style tips, and a short combination to practice at home. It also includes a quick challenge section, in case you need more!

Tap in Ten #8 -- Buffalo

This new step is a super popular Broadway step -- and one that I affectionately refer to as the "one-legged pirate step". In this video I break down this step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

Tap in Ten #7 -- Bombershay

This classic 3-sound tap step is called a Tack Annie. Learn how to do it and challenge yourself to see if you can wig wag it! In this video I break down this simple step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

Tap in Ten #6 -- Tack Annie

Introducing our first 4-sound step--and what a fun name-- the paradiddle! In this video I break down this step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

Tap in Ten #5 -- Paradiddle

Apply what you learned in the Closed Third lesson with this new 3-sound step, the Open Third! In this video I break down this simple step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

Tap in Ten #4 -- Open Third

Take a look at the second most basic unit of tap, the flap. Similar to the shuffle, the flap consists of 2 sounds. See all the ways you can flap, and in less than 10 minutes you'll be flapping around the grocery store! Contains pauses for practice, and a challenge section.

Tap in Ten #2 - Flap

Come try your foot at tap by looking at the most basic step, the shuffle! In this video, I break down this simple step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

Tap in Ten #1 - Shuffle

Let's try our first 3-sound step, the closed third! In this video, I break down this simple step, talk about proper technique, give you opportunities to practice along the way, and leave you with a simple combination to work on at home. I also have a challenge section to push you further, if you are picking this up quickly!

The Tap Dance Class for "I've Tapped a Little" - Dance Class

About Kristen P.

Kristen's Dance videos