Students will learn the language of rhythm from acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Maurice Chestnut. Each session begins with a rhythm stretch and a percussive call and response warm-up. Learners will begin their journey in Africa with djembe rhythms, then move through New Orleans and New York where Africans and Irish step dancers created the percussive dance we now call tap.

They’ll watch as the rhythms branch out through the U.S. and morph to create jazz, bebop, swing and hip-hop. As they discover African American history and culture, young movers will also master tap dance basics like shuffle, flap and time step. The workshop series ends with a blended combination of tap, jazz and hip hop and a sharing circle where all students can express themselves rhythmically. Tap shoes are not required for this workshop.