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The ISTD Syllabus
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Tap Faculty has been committed to the ongoing evolution of the syllabus since 2007, ensuring it reflects an authentic and contemporary style. With syllabus creators based in America and learning directly from leading tap practitioners, this depth of expertise is passed on through affiliated schools such as ours, providing students with high-quality, relevant training. From the foundational Primary and Grade 1 levels through to the increased complexity, speed, and mature styling of Grades 5, 6, and Intermediate, the ISTD syllabi provides a fulfilling and progressive pathway for dancers.
The Origins of Tap Dance
Tap Dance is a distinctive and rhythmical art form in which dancers wear specially designed shoes fitted with metal plates to create percussive patterns and melodies. Originating in America from a rich fusion of cultures—including African rhythms, Irish step dancing, and English clogging—tap dance has a vibrant history. Popularised by legendary performers such as Fred Astaire during the golden age of 1930s Hollywood cinema, the style continues to captivate audiences today through its modern developments while honouring the legacy of the Great Tap Masters, past and present.
Tap Dance On Stage
Inventive Tap Dance choreography features prominently in our Amey Theatre productions, immersing audiences in sound as well as movement. From precision marching royal guards and powerful modern-day suffragettes to high-energy glow-stick spinning clubbers, our tap numbers bring a wide range of characters and themes to the stage. These performances give students the opportunity to showcase their timing, coordination, musicality and stage presence, applying their technical skills with confidence and full theatrical impact.
Tap at MTSD
Here, this style is introduced from around age 5, with young dancers eagerly stepping into their first pair of shiny tap shoes! In the early stages, Tap is combined with Ballet and Modern within a weekly session, creating a stimulating and varied learning environment that supports musicality, coordination, and engagement. From approximately Grade 2, Tap is offered as a dedicated class, allowing students to develop greater focus and technical confidence. Tap Dance is particularly effective in developing a child’s ability to listen, process and respond. Through time, practice, and encouragement, students learn to find their own sense of timing and musical expression across a wide range of musical styles. With its unique combination of sound, movement and precision, Tap remains an immersive, rewarding, and highly satisfying dance experience.
