About Level 1

Level 1 ONLINE Tap Teacher Training and Certificate
Foundational concepts for all rhythm tap teaching with a focus on teaching beginning tap students (children age 6+, teen and adult students).

Need more information? Attend a free Tap Teacher Info Hour [PRE-REGISTER HERE]
Once-a-month ATDF TTT Info-Hours on Zoom are free and open to all tap teachers, are a time to get answers and share information with tap teachers across the globe.

Tap Teacher Info Hours
Thur, Sept 29, Thur, Oct 6, Wed, Nov 9, Thur, Dec 15, 12:00-1:00PM Eastern Time

Questions about the TTT? Contact Margaret Morrison mmorrison@atdf.org

Training includes:

  • Classic tap repertory works from the Copasetic Canon, in clear, self-paced video instruction, with faculty support and feedback

  • Tap history lessons

  • 36 hours real-time instruction, including

    • Tap technique

    • Bufalino and classic tap exercises

    • Rhythm tap pedagogy

    • Tap composition and improvisation

    • Jazz music training & live accompaniment

    • Discussions and info sharing

  • 8 expert faculty members and individualized feedback

  • Training manual, plus written, audio, and video materials

  • 10 months of mentorship during independent work

  • Connection to an international community of rhythm tap teachers like you

  • Certificate issued by the American Tap Dance Foundation

The Tap Teacher Training Certificate Program is geared towards advanced and intermediate tap dancers. Students in all time zones are accepted based on application and video that shows tap dance level. The program welcomes experienced tap teachers who want to enhance their current teaching skills, as well as dancers with no teaching experience. 

NEW STRUCTURE! MORE FLEXIBLE STUDY OPTIONS! 

  • Our 45-hour Training is now divided into three affordable Modules. Register for Module A, B, & C in any order

  • Attend real-time Zoom sessions once a week, or complete video lessons in your own time

  • Trainees can start any time and have access to videos for 10 months

TTT MODULE A:
October 13, 2022: Online Copasetic Classroom & pre-recorded instruction opens
Four Zoom classes meet Thursdays, Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, & 17, 2022, 11:00AM – 2:00PM Eastern Time.
Faculty: Barbara Duffy, Susan Hebach, Lisa La Touche, Margaret Morrison  

TTT MODULE B
January 5, 2023: Online Copasetic Classroom & pre-recorded instruction opens.
Four Zoom classes meet Thursdays, Jan 12, 19, 26, & Feb 2, 11:00AM – 2:00PM Eastern Time
Faculty: Barbara Duffy, Susan Hebach, Margaret Morrison, and guest faculty Toni Noblett and Thelma Goldberg

TTT MODULE C
February 9, 2023: Online Copasetic Classroom & pre-recorded instruction opens.
Four Zoom classes meet Thursdays, Feb 16, 23, Mar 2 & 9, 11:00AM – 2:00PM Eastern Time
Faculty: Barbara Duffy, Susan Hebach, Margaret Morrison and guest faculty Brenda Bufalino and Dexter Jones

Pre-Recorded Instruction
- Copasetic Repertory video instruction.
Module A: Bill Robinson’s Doin’ the New Low Down.
Module B: Shim Sham Shimmy & Coles Stroll.
Module C: Copasetic Soft Shoe
- Introduction to the Copasetic Curriculum, Jazz Music Fundamentals, Tap Technique Basics, & Tap History 

Zoom TTT Classes
Sample Zoom class plans (exact schedule of teachers and themes will be provided after registration)
- Class #1: Repertory Review and Jazz Music Essentials
- Class #2: Rhythm Tap Technique, Improvisation, and Composition
- Class #3: Pedagogy and History
- Class #4: Special Workshop and Building a Scaffold for Strong Rhythm Tap Skills 

Written and Video Support Materials:
- Training manual and teacher handouts
- Suggested lists of great music recordings for tap teaching
- Tap exercises for your students on video
- Recorded music for Copasetic Repertory works 

Plenty of Faculty Support for Assignments
Personalized feedback and expert support from ATDF TTT Faculty deepen your understanding the Copasetic Curriculum and enable you to use the concepts right away in your dance classes. Each module includes 8-9 non-graded assignments due within 10 months; half of the assignments you complete on your own (memorize repertory, create class plans, compose tap phrases, etc.) and half involve your students (teach technique and phrases). Trainees can ask questions and connect with fellow participants and TTT Directors on the Online Discussion Board. Once-a-month ATDF TTT Info-Hours on Zoom, open to all tap teachers, are a time to get answers and share information with tap teachers across the globe. 

Two Tracks! Certificate or Enrichment
Certificate Track Trainees complete all three modules, all assignments, receive individualized mentorship and feedback from TTT Faculty and receive a TTT Level 1 Certificate from the American Tap Dance Foundation. On the Enrichment Track, students are welcome to attend all sessions, have full access to all videos and materials, but are not required to complete assignments.

Requirements for participation
Students must be 18 years and older and are required to have the internet, computer, and technical capacity to participate on Zoom online dance and lecture classes. Students are required to wear professional quality tap shoes and have an adequate tap dance space: a sprung, wood dance floor, minimum 6ft x 4ft (2m x 1.25m). Dance floor must be sprung to protect your joints and provide adequate sound (i.e. not on top of cement or an unyielding surface). If wood floor is not available, a professional quality dance surface is acceptable. Contact mmorrison@atdf.org if you have questions.

———————————————————————————————————-
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (subject to change)
Rhythm Tap Technique
An intermediate/advanced level tap technique class based in rudiments and exercises developed by Barbara Duffy and Brenda Bufalino and gleaned from Copasetic Canon material. Students will work to clean up their own technique and identify habits that prevent solid technique, while honing full body expression, listening skills, and personal style.

Copasetic Canon Repertory
Copasetic Canon repertory will be taught through self-paced, detailed instructional videos and several Zoom review sessions, with a focus on foot technique, body movement, style, musicality and performance skills. Level 1 repertory includes: “Coles Stroll by Charles "Honi" Coles,” “Shim Sham Shimmy,” “Copasetic Soft Shoe”, “Doin’ the New Lowdown” by Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Registered students will be given access to the Repertory videos through your student portal so you can begin to familiarize yourself with the dances before the Zoom TTT Classes.

Teaching towards the Canon - Level 1 Pedagogy
Classes will address strategies and methods for teaching basic and beginning level tap students, using the technical challenges, stylistic body use and musical ideas of the Copasetic Canon. These dances build a solid and progressive foundation for beginning through advanced tap students and provide essential lessons in rhythm tap, including: solid tap technique, learning to count a measure of music, the structure of 8-bar phrases, learning how a 2-bar break is used, the structure of a chorus: understanding AABA, swing rhythms and triplets, use of the body, weight change and gravity, full-body rhythmic expression and style, tap history.

TTT Special Workshops with Faculty
Five special workshops cover a wide range of rhythm tap teaching skills from five different master teachers.

  • Brenda Bufalino teaches a composition and music workshop on creating tap dances for professionals and students. Through a deep examination of several Bufalino works, the class will explore jazz music structures of swing and the blues, how to craft tap choreography on all levels to express musical, rhythmic, and dynamic ideas. She will address her approach to rhythm tap education and artistry, and the training of the next generation of rhythm tap artists.

  • Thelma Goldberg addresses beginning level tap technique for beginning students of all ages, from kids to adults; how to teach your students solid skills from the beginning.

  • Dexter Jones Workshop: information TBA

  • Lisa La Touche teaches her unique approach to time steps and 3-&-a-break, with innovative and fun ways to bring solid rhythm tap skills and jazz music heritage to your classes.

  • Toni Noblett's workshop is jam-packed with innovative music games and rhythmic exercises for tap students of all ages, to get your students embodying the rhythm from the top of their head to the bottoms of their soles/souls.

Jazz Music Concepts, Tap Composition & Improvisation
The jazz music essentials that all tap dancers and students need. A live musician will accompany some classes. Students will hone improv skills and learn composition skills to develop class material. Taught by Susan Hebach and Margaret Morrison.

Embodying Tap History
A self-paced tap history course and several Zoom sessions will explore ways to bring tap history and artistry alive for your students and provide an overview of the historical intersections of tap rhythms, jazz music, and American culture. Registered students will be given access to the Tap History videos through your student portal so you can begin to familiarize yourself with the material before the Zoom TTT Classes.