Talking Tap

An introduction to tap dancing through the language of the subject: what it is, why it is, how to use it. Terminology is organized and described by technique categories and listed by increasing difficulty. The common dance notation format used gradually builds the user’s ability to read and write performance routines. Discussions include developing tap skills, use of dance notes, and rhythm development. An extended section includes dance associated history, language application quizzes, and highlights about the 1930s through 1950s motion picture “tap era”. Several performance routines illustrate various tap styles and choreographic approaches.

Although prepared for tap dancers, anyone interested in theater dance is likely to discover something new.

Author Biography

Terry Dill received his initial dance training from Hazel Bergh in Sioux City, Iowa. He began teaching theater dance in 1956, was an original member of the Sioux City Civic Ballet, the first civic ballet in Iowa, and was a featured dancer and choreographer for several of the earliest Siouxland musicals. With his wife Shirley he developed the first area studio programs in aerial acrobatics, jazz, advanced tap, and instructor training; the latter providing staff which helped introduce theater dance classes to a dozen nearby Iowa and South Dakota communities. When the civic ballet was disbanded, Shirley and he organized the Siouxland Civic Dance Association / Ballet Sioux, offering classic story and original performance themes; as well as, men’s and pas de deux classes. Terry has presented modern dance classes at the local colleges, master and teachers’ classes, guest instruction and choreography, and informance lecture-performances.There being an area need for performing arts supplies and assistance, in 1965 he started Globe Theatrical Supply, which gradually expanded nationally and beyond, mailing catalogs through 2002, then becoming the Globe Theatrical Resource internet siteIn 1995 Terry retired from dancing, leaving his wife and daughter Tracy to direct Siouxland Movement Arts Center and Ballet Sioux. Having served on state and local arts councils, and now retired to their farm, Shirley and Terry continue communication with former students.