Jazz Tap Dancing America: History and Practice

Jazz Tap Dancing America: History and Practice is a Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies course taught by Constance Valis Hill.

Course Description
Here is a cultural history of jazz tap dancing America, and the evolution of 'da beat, that takes you from seat to feet. In the classroom, we will learn about how jazz tap, as an American vernacular percussive dance form with its distinct African (and Irish) heritage, evolved through the 20th century to become the most cutting-edge dance form in the millennium; focusing on the relationship between jazz music and dance, and how jazz rhythm, improvisation, call-and-response patterning and elements of swing altered the line, attack, speed, weight, and phrasing of tap dancing. In the studio, we will learn basic tap steps, time steps, combos, and classic routines danced to the swinging inflections of Blues, Swing, Rhythm-and-Blues, Bebop, Hip-Hop. Open to dance, music, and theatre concentrators wishing to refine their rhythmic sensibilities; and understand why tap dancers say: "Hear my feet and you know the story of my life." Tap shoes required.