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Tap dance originated in the United States in the early 19th century at the crossroads of African and Irish American dance forms. When slave owners took away traditional African percussion instruments, slaves turned to percussive dancing to express themselves and retain their cultural identities.

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The most well-known elements of tap are syncopation, improvisation, and acrobatics. Syncopation refers to the combination of a variety of rhythms that create a piece of music that is off-beat. Tap dancers often use syncopated rhythms in their work.

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A significant milestone occurred in 1970: tap would no longer be an optional extra at the end of the Stage Branch examination. A new syllabus was created which established tap dance as a separate examination though the separation through to Major and Status Examinations took many more years to achieve

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Tap dance has evolved significantly since its origins in the early 19th century. The dance form has been influenced by a variety of cultures and styles, including West African sacred and secular step dances, Scottish, Irish, and English clog dances, hornpipes, and jigs.

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The Nicholas Brothers.

Harold and Fayard Nicholas were arguably the best tap dancing team. They pioneered flash technique that relied heavily on acrobatics and tap dancing, which became an instantaneous hit and gained them their first Broadway debut in 1936.

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Why is Tap Dance so important worldwide?

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Why is Tap Dance so important worldwide?

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Overall, tap dance is an important art form that has had a significant impact on popular culture and continues to thrive as a vibrant art form today.