Rhythm, Confidence, Coordination — and Lots of Fun!

There is something very special about putting on your first pair of tap shoes and discovering that you can make music with your feet!

Tap is energetic, rhythmic and full of personality. It combines dance and musicality, teaching children to listen to rhythm, recognise different sounds and gradually develop the coordination to create increasingly intricate steps and combinations.

And, of course, there is the sheer joy of making some noise!

At Babel School of Dance, we want our students to develop strong tap technique while experiencing everything that makes this style of dance so much fun.

Starting Tap at Babel

Children can begin Tap at Babel from 4 years old.

Our younger dancers are introduced to the basic foundations of tap in a fun, encouraging and age-appropriate way.

They begin by discovering the different sounds their tap shoes can make and gradually learn how those sounds can be put together to create steps, rhythms and eventually combinations.

For younger children especially, we believe it is important that learning technique and having fun go hand in hand.

We want children to leave their class looking forward to coming back the following week!

Heston Ballet & Tap

At our Heston branch, children aged 6 and under also have the opportunity to attend our special combined Ballet & Tap class.

This is a lovely introduction to dance and allows younger children to experience two very different but complementary styles within one class.

They can enjoy the grace, musicality and foundations of ballet alongside the rhythm, coordination and fun of tap.

It’s a wonderful way for younger dancers to discover which aspects of dance they particularly enjoy — although many decide they simply love both!

Why Tap?

Tap develops much more than the ability to perform steps.

As children progress, they develop:

Rhythm and musicality — learning to hear, understand and respond to different rhythms.

Coordination — teaching the feet and body to work together accurately.

Listening skills — recognising sounds, timing and changes in music.

Concentration — remembering increasingly detailed steps and combinations.

Confidence — mastering something that may initially have felt difficult.

Performance skills — learning to communicate energy, personality and enjoyment through dance.

And, like all dance training, Tap teaches children the value of practice, perseverance and progress.

Learning to Make Music with Your Feet

Tap is unusual because the dancer isn’t simply moving to the music.

The dancer becomes part of the music.

The metal plates attached to the toe and heel of tap shoes allow dancers to create different sounds and rhythms with their feet.

As students progress, they learn to control those sounds with increasing accuracy, clarity and speed.

What begins with those exciting first taps gradually develops into more complex rhythms, combinations and performance work.

It is challenging, rewarding and incredibly satisfying when it all comes together.

Progressing Through Tap

Our Tap classes follow the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabus, providing students with a recognised and structured pathway through their training.

We currently teach syllabus classes through to Grade 6.

As students progress, their work becomes increasingly challenging, developing greater technical accuracy, rhythm, musicality, coordination and performance quality.

Students have the opportunity to work towards ISTD examinations and Medal Tests, providing achievable goals and an opportunity to celebrate their progress.

Examinations are available from approximately 5 years of age.

Examinations — Celebrating Progress

We believe examinations can be a really positive part of a child’s dance education.

Preparing for an examination teaches students that achievement comes through commitment, practice and perseverance.

There is something very special about seeing a child realise:

“I worked for this — and I did it!”

However, examinations are not the reason we dance.

They are milestones along the journey.

Our priority is always to develop happy, confident dancers who enjoy learning and feel proud of their progress.

Tap and Musical Theatre

Tap has a wonderful connection with the world of musical theatre.

From classic stage productions to modern shows and films, tap has played an important role in some of the most memorable dance performances.

For children who love performing, it provides another skill that can become incredibly valuable as their dance training develops.

It also gives dancers the opportunity to show something that we particularly love at Babel:

personality!

Technique matters, but so does learning how to perform, communicate and enjoy being on stage.

Starting Tap at an Older Age?

Of course!

Your child doesn’t need to have started Tap at four years old.

We welcome children and young people who discover dance later, including complete beginners.

We will look at the individual dancer’s age, previous experience and confidence and recommend the class in which we believe they will be happiest and best able to progress.

Everyone has to make their first tap somewhere!

More Than Just Steps

Learning to tap takes patience.

Sometimes your feet don’t immediately do what your brain is asking them to do!

That’s part of the learning process.

Our students learn to listen, practise, try again and recognise that they don’t have to get everything right the first time.

Slowly, something that once seemed impossible becomes possible.

That sense of achievement is one of the things we love most about teaching dance.

Our Tap Teachers

Our Tap classes are taught by Nicola Odedra, who is supported by Rebecca Michie when teaching our younger dancers.

Our teachers want students to develop strong foundations and good technique, but they also understand how important it is that children feel comfortable, encouraged and happy in their classes.

We want our dancers to work hard, laugh, make friends, challenge themselves and feel proud of what they achieve.

Because the best learning happens when children enjoy being there.

Tap at Babel — Every Dancer Matters

Some children will come to Tap because they can’t wait to put on a pair of noisy shoes.

Some will love examinations and working towards their next grade.

Some will discover a passion for performing.

Some may continue into GCSE Dance and further dance education.

And some will simply come every week because Tap is one of their favourite parts of the week.

All of those reasons are equally important to us.

At Babel, we want our students to receive excellent dance training while making friendships, building confidence and creating memories along the way.

Every dancer is different. Every achievement matters.

Come and Try Tap at Babel

If your child would like to discover Tap, we’d love to welcome them to Babel.

Children can begin Tap from 4 years old, and complete beginners are very welcome.

Following a trial lesson, we can talk to you about how your child responded to the class and recommend the most appropriate next step.

Not Sure Which Class to Choose?

Just ask us.

We’re always happy to help you find the right starting point for your child.

Call or text: 07961 153666
Email: office@babeldance.co.uk

Come and discover Tap at Babel — great training, great friendships and the wonderful feeling of making music with your feet!