Why Tap Dance Is More Than Performance: Building Creativity, Confidence, and Community
Discover all that tap dance has to offer beyond the stage as it provides a platform to encourage creative self-expression, build dancer's confidence, develop discipline in the art form and create an opportunity for dancers to be part of a community.
Tap dance is very much known for its incredible footwork, precise rhythms, and fantastic performances, but it really goes way beyond that. It is a beautiful form of artistic expression that brings forth creativity, discipline, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Whether you are walking into a dance studio for the first time or you are dancing in front of an audience, tap dance will teach you many things that will help guide all areas of your life.
Many tap dancers see tap as a means of artistic expression based upon history, culture, music, and individual expression. With every single beat produced through the dancers feet/legs, there exists a dialogue among the dancer (the person), the music (the artist/composer) and the audience. This unique interaction is what makes tap dance possibly one of the most expressive and enjoyable dances.
Connecting through Rhythm
While many dance styles allow the performer to move to music, tap dancers become the musician through movement. Each step of the dancer contributes to the overall rhythm of the music, turning the dancer into a participating element of the music, not merely moving to it. This encourages dancers to grow a deeper understanding of timing/musicality/improvisation.
Listening attentively and responding creatively to the music helps dancers develop confidence while increasing their ability to convey message through body movement instead of verbal communication. No matter if you are executing a choreographed routine or improvising on stage, the rhythm of music can be understood universally as a connection tool to reach people of varying backgrounds/experiences.
Creativity Develops through Repetition and Exploration
Creativity is commonly misconceived as something you have or don’t have. Creativity actually develops through repeated attempts at exploring new ways to express yourself. Tap dance allows dancers to explore with rhythm combinations, movement sequences/patterns and musical interpretations while continually improving themselves technically.
Not only does tap improve technical proficiency, it provides dancers with confidence-building tools such as discipline, perseverance, self-expression etc. When dancers continually learn and perform in front of others they continually build strength and trust in their abilities which greatly benefits them personally, academically and professionally.
To learn more about how tap dance fosters confidence and additional life-enrichment skills check out this article from The Institute of Dance Artistry: How Tap Dance Classes Foster Confidence in Young Dancers
A Continuous Process of Growth & Development
Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of tap dance is that no matter where you are on your journey, whether you are beginning to discover rhythm and coordination or if you are an accomplished professional continuing to refine your musicality, technique and storytelling, there is always room to grow. Most professionals attend numerous workshops, collaborate with peers and study the history of tap to increase their knowledge base of the art-form. Many people believe that once a person reaches a certain level of expertise, they stop growing; however, due to a continued desire to learn and expand their horizons, tap dancers remind themselves that they are always on a path of discovery and not a fixed point.
Through a continued commitment to both preserving tradition and innovating new elements into the art-form, dancers honor those that paved the way for them while providing their own contributions to the ever-changing tapestry of tap dance.
Fostering Community
Dance has a wonderful quality of bringing people together. Workshops, festivals, concerts and community events provide multiple avenues for dancers of various age groups, ethnicities and levels of experience to share in common goals and learn from one another.
Shared experiences create environments of mutual respect, collaboration and long-lasting relationships. Unlike competition-based dance communities where individuals compete against one another for recognition, many times at their expense, tap dance communities come together in celebration of one another’s accomplishments while supporting creative growth and personal development.
Because of these supportive environments many dancers maintain a strong connection to the tap dance community throughout their lifetime. All rehearsals, performances and conversations contribute toward a broader support system comprised of a collective group working toward promoting and celebrating the art-form.
Persevering & Trusting Your Preparation
Performing in public takes great courage. Regardless of how many hours you spend preparing for a show, every performance helps you understand how to handle nerves, remain focused, and rely on all of your training.
Developing the confidence to overcome fears and anxieties in front of crowds, whether it is giving a speech, leading a team, communicating effectively or handling unexpected problems, will greatly benefit you in everyday life. Each successful performance reminds dancers that success comes from stepping out-of-your-comfort-zone and facing new challenges head-on.
Balancing History & Innovation
Tap dance has been shaped over centuries by some truly remarkable artists. Preserving our cultural heritage is essential; equally as important is allowing the art form to continue to evolve.
In today’s world tap dancers use traditional techniques combined with contemporary music, modern choreography and collaborative performances that introduce tap to new audiences. Finding a balance between preserving the traditions that were developed decades ago and using creative freedom to push forward the boundaries of the art-form keeps it alive for future generations while acknowledging those trailblazers that founded its roots.
Artist such as Nico S. Rubio carry on this tradition by creating shows and educational experiences that celebrate both the past & present of tap dance.
Every Beat Tells a Story
At the end of the day, tap dance is a means of communication. Every single rhythm, every single pause, every single movement expresses emotion/personality/artistic vision. Whether you’re dancing in a grand theatre or inside a small neighborhood dance studio – every beat tells a story worth telling.
Whether you’re learning, performing or collaborating with other dancers, you become part of a global family connected through rhythm, creativity and mutual respect. Not only are we constantly learning and mastering new skills, we are discovering ourselves through our own artistic voice while inspiring others through movement.
That is the true magic of tap dance. Every performance creates an impression, every lesson opens doors for new possibilities, and every rhythm reminds us that creativity has the potential to unite people across generations & cultures.