Tap Dance Classes
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Tap Dance Classes
Nov 2010
Hi - my three and a half year old boy really wants to take
tap dance lessons - I can't find anything for younger than
age 7 (which does, I'll admit, make sense). Any
recommendations? We are on an extremely tight budget, by
the way. We live in SF and don't have a car, so we need
something BART accessible. Thanks. Clearly watched too
much Gene Kelly!
It's a bit far from San Francisco, but Katie's Dance Studio
in El Cerrito http://www.katiesdancestudio.com/welcome.html
takes kids who are 3 1/2. They're on San Pablo Ave. across
from the Guitar Center, a few blocks north of the El Cerrito
BART station. They have 45-minute classes, which are half
jazz and half tap. I know there is a 10 am Saturday class
for 3-5 year olds, and there are others in the afternoons on
weekdays. This is a 'show year' (every other year is), and
the kids learn a jazz and a tap routine over the course of
the school year, get fancy costumes, and perform in a big
recital in June (optional, but very fun). The studio is
'serious' but fun too. The teachers are
fantastic--dedicated and kind. Call Katie to try out a
class...925-229-2695. heidilee
Feb 2009
Does anyone know if classes are still being held at The Beat?
I'm interested in taking Beginning Tap (as an adult) and have
called to leave several messages, but received no response. The
message on the machine is old, so I'm wondering if it's even
operating anymore.
Does anyone else have any recommendations for adult tap classes
in Oakland or Berkeley?
Thanks so much!
Lisa in Oakland
Most people don't know that Kids 'n Dance does the occasional
adult class. They have a small adult tap class that has been
going for the last few sessions. The class is Monday's 6:00-7:00.
It is a small friendly group of 5 students. Some have tapped
before and others are total novices. The owner of the studio,
Kris Mueller, teaches it. They are on line.
heard good things about this adult class
The Beat in Berkeley is under new management and has more classes,
including tap, and more going on than ever. Check it out. Google
them for the latest class schedule.
Joan
Don't give up on the Beat, as it is definitely alive and tapping!
I have taken tap classes here for years and don't know what I
would do without the place, as it is one of the few studios that
focuses on rhythm tap and is for adults only. Gregg Geoffroy, the
current primary teacher, is fabulous -- high energy, creative and
also loves teaching about the history and choreography of tap
greats like Jimmy Slide.
As a busy working mom, I look forward to Gregg's class each week
and having a break from kid-centered stuff, connecting with
classmates who range from college-age to retirees.
One important caution is that the only tap class for true
beginners is the ''Intro To Tap,'' and you would want to start at
the beginning of the session. All the other classes, even the
ones labeled ''Beginners,'' require some experience.
For more info, you can go to the website at www.the-beat.org or
else show up on a Saturday or Sunday, when most of the tap classes
are, to check it out. I should add that the Beat is home to lots
of other great classes, such as Samba, ballet and more.
EastBayHoofer
June 2008
Does anyone know a good Tap Dance classes for kids? I search the
PBN and newest one is from 2003.
Thank you
Maro
My 5.5y daughter has been taking a tap/jazz class at Katie's Dance
Studio (http://www.katiesdancestudio.com/)for a couple of years. They
are very into tap and show dancing--and are very good at it. It's all a
little over the top for me, but my daughter loves it and the teachers
are great (and good role models). There are boys and girls in the
classes and they have a lot of fun.
tapper
March 2003
My 6-1/2 year old daugher (she'll be 7 in March) would LOVE to
take tap dancing lessons. She does her own version of tap
dancing around the house ALL the time. Any recommendations?
The only one on the website is from April of 2000. We live in
Oakland and I am a full time working mom, so classes in the late
weekday afternoons or on the weekends are preferred. Thanks for
your help.
Shoshana
Try Cerrito Dance Arts Center at 1534 Kearney Street in El
Cerrito, near Target (cross street Potrero). The phone # there
is 234-2780. Maryse Young teaches tap/ballet, and she's great.
My daughter started dancing there rather late, when she was in
6th grade, and she loves it! They have Saturday and afternoon
classes. If you don't get a call back after leaving a message,
just show up one Saturday morning at 9:15 for the beginning
class, and watch and talk to Maryse. The studio is an old
converted carriage house behind the main house, through a gate.
Good luck!
spichler
July 2002
Okay, so I just watched ''Singing In The Rain'' with my 4 year
old, and I'm all hyped up about taking tap classes. Can anyone
recommend a great tap class for adults here in
Oakland/Berkeley?
Gotta dance
Recommendations received:
The Beat Dance Center (3)
2001
our 6 year old would like to take tap dancing classes - we have heard
that Chris Bell at Studio J is wonderful, but we can't find any listings in
the phone book. Does anyone know if Studio J is still in existance?
Thanks
Mary
Studio J changed ownership more than a year ago. It is now called The Beat ...
(See The Beat for the rest of this review, and
two others.)
Also recommended:
Katie's Dance Studio
April 2000
Any ideas about a tap class for an active four year old boy who wants to dance
fast and loud? He has been watching "Singing in the Rain", tap dancing with
great enthusiasm, and asking about a class. All the web site recs are old, non-tap,
or far away (we're in N. Oakland). Montclair rec center has something but it
looked very sedate and I don't think he'd do well. Any ideas out there? Thanks.
Leah
Recommendation received:
The Beat
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