tapcity2008_info

HOW TO CONTACT US:
If the answers to your questions are not here or on our web site, don't hesitate to contact us:

Director of Adult Program: Margaret Morrison, mmorrison@atdf.org
Director of Festival Youth Program: Michele Ribble, mribble@atdf.org
Director of Pre-Professional Program: Thelma Goldberg, tgoldberg@atdf.org

The New York City Tap Festival
c/o American Tap Dance Foundation
18 West 27th Street, 6th Floor

Classes: Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26th Street, 6th Floor, between 6th – 7th Avenues.
Performances: Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street

Youth Showcase/Adult Showcase: Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St.

STUDENT CHECK IN:
Check in early and avoid the rush! At least ½ hour before your first class check in and get your Welcome Information and Festival ID at the Tap Central desk in Chelsea Studios. All students in Adult Residencies, PPP and Youth Programs are encouraged to check in Saturday 7/5 between 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Tap Central desk is open every day of the Festival after 9:30 AM. Please wear your Festival ID tag to all classes and events at Chelsea Studios - you won't be allowed in without it.

No video taping, audio taping, or photo taking during classes, rehearsals or performances.

You may bring a bottle of water into the studios. No food or drinks in the studios except for designated lunch events or areas.

Sorry - no observers allowed in any of the studios. (The guests you may see are Festival VIPs)

Please no tapping in the hallways - there are other non-tap rehearsals going on in the other studios.

SAFETY:
All Festival venues are public spaces - do not leave your possessions unattended, ever. The New York City Tap Festival is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property. Do not bring valuables to the studios or theater. Leave them at home or locked in a hotel safe.

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION: Make this an optimal learning experience for yourself. Pace your self, drink lots of water, stretch out before and after classes, don't dance into pain, and pay attention to injuries.

FOOT CARE & BLISTER PREVENTION: Do not make the mistake of wearing new tap shoes to the festival. To avoid blisters, break in new shoes before you come to our festival. You will probably be dancing more hours and more intensely than you do usually, and many students get blisters even with normally comfortable, broken in tap shoes. Use band-aids, medical tape and moleskin (all available at any drugstore) to prevent blisters before they start.

What's the difference between a master class, a course, and a residency?
A master class meets once. An Adult 2-Day Course meets two days in a row with the same teacher, same students, at the same 1 hour and 15 minute time period. Courses give students and the teacher the opportunity to work in depth on technique, repertory and tap concepts. In the 4-Day Adult Residencies students work for 4 days with a choreographer, at the same 2 hour and 45 minute time period, to learn a work of tap repertory that will be performed at the Adult Student Showcase, Wednesday evening, July 9. For more information about the Residencies and the Showcases please see the Performance Opportunities page on this web site.

How do I know what level I am?
For the Adult Program and Master Classes, see the description of Levels below. In the Adult Program, students select their level. In the Pre-Professional Program, advanced students are selected by video audition. In the Youth Program, faculty will determine students’ level at the placement class on the first morning of the program. Youth students will be placed in the appropriate group for their skill level.

I'm not sure how to choose the right program for myself - any pointers?
All of our teachers are great, so in the Adult Program select a schedule based on your budget, time availability, level and stamina. Read over the website and faculty bios, so that you have a good sense of our offerings. For a full-time Adult Program intensive experience we recommend selecting three master classes on Sat 7/5, one to two Adult Residencies, one or more 2-day courses, and two to four master classes on Thursday and Friday. For a one-day Festival experience sign up for master classes on Saturday, Thursday or Friday. Make sure to select the appropriate levels for your class choices. The Adult Program and Master Class schedule is designed to give adult students many choices in selecting a range of styles and a satisfying learning experience. Contact us if you need more info.

Adult Program and Master Class Levels (listed in order of most challenging to easiest):

ADV: Fast moving or challenging classes for advanced and professional tap dancers.

MIX: Mixed level classes for intermediate & advanced. Students will work at their own level.

Material taught may allow students to work more deeply on moderately paced or
challenging concepts

INT: Easy paced intermediate classes for students who are comfortable with the basics,
time steps, paddle & roll, and are ready for moderately challenging choreography.

ADV BEG: Advanced Beginning classes for students who are comfortable with flaps, shuffles,

time steps, paddle & roll. Excellent choice for dancers with just a few years
experience or older dancers who want to learn at an easy pace.

BEG: Beginning level classes for students who already know flaps and shuffles and are
ready to learn fun and easy combinations.

INTRO: If you’ve always wanted to try tap, this is your chance. No experience necessary, some
loaner tap shoes available. If you can walk, you can tap.

I think I'm advanced, but I'm not sure:
All of our classes labeled ADV are fast moving or challenging classes for tap dancers with a high level of rhythm tap training and performance experience. Advanced level classes in our Youth and Pre-Professional Programs are as challenging as advanced classes in the Adult Program. If you have attended and felt satisfied by advanced classes in a major tap festival, or upper level adult tap classes at a New York studio such as Broadway Dance Center or Steps on Broadway, then the ATDF's advanced classes are the right level for you.

Intermediate level classes at Tap City are for dancers who are solidly comfortable with all of the basics of flaps, shuffles, shuffle-off-to-Buffalo, paddle ‘n’ roll, and time steps, and are ready for the next challenge. Intermediate classes teach material at a more moderate pace. Still not sure if you should choose intermediate or advanced? Here’s a guide: if you enjoy a challenge and working above your level, chose advanced. If you prefer learning at an easier pace and feeling that you are able to perfect steps in class, chose intermediate. Advanced Beginner level is an excellent choice for dancers who know the basics and have a few years experience or older dancers who want to learn at an easy pace.

I'm an older tap dancer, are there some slower paced comfortable classes for me?
The Advanced Beginner Residency with Derick Grant is a great choice—the majority of the class will probably be over 30, and the class will perform at the Adult Showcase. Intermediate Level and Mixed Level classes are also good choices. If you only have a little tap experience try the Beginning Level courses. And if you've never tapped at all try the Intro tap classes.

What if I want to register, but I cannot get into the classes that I want?
All the classes are exciting and our teachers are wonderful. You will benefit from any selection. Select an alternate course or contact one of our Directors for advice on placement in another course. Next year, be sure to get your registration in early.

Do you have a wait list for classes?
No - if your choice is sold out, please select another class or contact us for advice.

Do you have any free classes for teachers?
Yes! We have our Teachers Incentive: Each year we offer 1 free course to teachers who bring 8 or more students to the festival. Bring 16 students and you get 2 free courses... and so on. Contact us for more information.

I have 2 or 3 children, is there a family discount on classes?
There is no discount on classes, but families of dancers only pay one Family Registration Fee, which covers one student under 19 plus her siblings and parents (a savings of up to $35 per dancer). Make sure to register early! After June 6 the rates go up.

What if I don't like a course that I have signed up for? May I switch to a different class?
Please select your classes carefully; after June 6 there are no refunds. Students in the Youth Program, PPP, and Adult Residencies may request a change on the first day ONLY, and before the second day of classes begin, providing there is room in the alternate course of your choice. Once you have attended your first class in any of our festival programs and you find that you have chosen the wrong level, please follow these steps:

Note: Most courses fill up before our festival begins and there is very little room for switching. The Registrar can only consider one change, before the 2nd class begins. Classes may be added at any point during the Festival (space permitting).

What if I decide to cancel?
Before June 6, 2008 students may cancel their registration in writing (by email, fax or letter) and receive a full refund minus the registration fee. There are no refunds after June 6, 2008.

Do parents wait at the dance studio, or can I drop my child off?
Due to the size of the wait room, drop-off is preferred. Children may be collected after their last class of the day. For parents arriving late for pick-up, your child will be escorted to the wait area provided. The wait area is nice, has a TV and vending machines. We are not responsible for children left unattended outside of the Youth Program hours.

Can I be sure that my child is safe on his/her own?
Rest assured that we do everything to keep track of your special dancer. Dancers in the Youth Programs are permitted to leave the building only with their parent/guardian. Each classroom will have a sign on the door letting your dancer know where he/she is supposed to be for each class, and there are lots of friendly Interns to help youngsters along. Attendance is taken for each class, and students are monitored.

I am OK with my child leaving the building, is that permitted?
If your dancer is allowed to be left on their own, he/she must be responsible and aware of his/her Tap City schedule, class and event locations and times. Parents will need to sign the "Youth Sign Out" sheet for those who are permitted to leave the building on their own.

What about snacks and lunch?
Parents should provide all Youth Program dancers with daily lunches, healthy snacks, fruit juices, water, energy bars etc. for a long day of dancing. Dancers in the Youth Program have lunchtime in a designated studio with staff supervision.

Whom should I tell my child has a medical problem or condition?
Please inform all of your child's instructors before each class, as to her/his specific needs, or instruct your child to do so.

Can I get discounted classes or family rates?
See the last few questions in the FAQ section above.

What if my child doesn't like his/her class?
See the last few questions in the FAQ section above. We make every attempt to make sure that your child is placed correctly. Children who feel that they have signed up for a class that is too difficult, may be moved to an alternate class or level providing there is space in that class. Dancers are not permitted to switch classes for any other reason. The Registrar can only consider a possible change, immediately before or after the 1st class has been taken.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance for the Performances?
Yes! Advanced ticket purchase is required for all performances at Symphony Space, including Premier Performances, Tap Youth/Tap Future, Youth Showcase of Talent and the Adult Showcase. Visit (link) Tap City Performances and Special Events for dates, times, prices and ticket ordering information.

Do I have to pay to see my child perform?
Yes, and both the Tap Youth/Tap Future and the Youth Showcase of Talent performances often sell out! We recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as they go on sale. See the web site under Tap City Performances and Special Events.

Can I video tape my child's performance?
No, cameras (of any kind) are not permitted into the Theater.

I am a student who wants to perform at Tap City, can I get involved?
Yes! There are performance opportunities for all ages and all levels. In order to be eligible, you must be a registered participant of our festival. Go to Performance Opportunities for details.

How will I know if I am accepted to perform?
Youth performers will be notified by mail by May 23rd. Once you have been accepted to perform, you your/group must register immediately, if you haven't done so already. Only registered participants are given performance placement. Read full details on (link) Performance Opportunities page.

Should I bring tapes or CD's for my performance?
See music directions on (link) Performance Opportunities page.