Teaching Tap via Zoom

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So, this post is not directly related to my MA but I felt that it was time to express my thoughts on this new and very different teaching method via Zoom. I say it is not related but as I complete my first module and start to think about the next stage, of course only if all goes well, I feel that this new era may play a poignant part in my module 2 & 3!


I am the tap teacher at a dance studio and this has been an interesting period learning how to teach my students via Zoom. Most definitely not the perfect way to teach but I have drawn on the positives and tried not to worry too much about the negatives. At the moment, the students need as much encouragement as possible to help them to stay in great shape both physically and mentally so meeting via Zoom has been a wonderful connection for us all.

The positives of teaching this way is that I have actually seen improvement in a lot of the students, their techniques have been strengthened and they seem to have a clearer understanding of the steps and movements, however musicality has been a little difficult to improve on due to the delay of the video transmission, nonetheless, this is a fantastic outcome!

Following discussions with some of my colleagues, they too have seen improvements in their students also. The principal of the studio, was just aiming to maintain the students to at least their level before the pandemic happened but to actually see a step up is fantastic and the students certainly deserve praise!

I believe that the isolation of a Zoom class allows for less distractions and an opportunity to focus on yourself without comparisons to your fellow students.
As a teacher, I have felt that I have been able to give individual feedback without the disruption of mirrors and other class members practicing at the same time. The ability to ‘Spotlight’ the students and give them their moment has been perfect, especially for those not so confident.

To be able to teach my classes and demonstrate I made myself a small studio space but it was really difficult to feel connected to it, finally by week six of Zoom teaching, I knew that I needed to find the inspiration to choreograph again so I decided to teach the senior students a different tap routine every week.  This has been a wonderful opportunity for them to throw themselves into tap without the pressure of everyone else listening to them and great for improving audition technique too and for me, it was a really wonderful opportunity to dance and have some fun! 

My studio space 

I still need to improve on my Zoom class technique especially to stop feeling that I have to shout at the screen.  I miss the studio terribly as I’m sure we all do but I’m trying hard to make it work for me and my students the best I can.
I read an article today about this and I instantly felt so much better afterwards on how some leading teachers in tap have found this experience of teaching via Zoom and what they have done to make the their set up work.

https://www.dance-teacher.com/if-you-thought-teaching-dance-online-was-a-challenge-try-teaching-tap-three-tappers-share-what-works-2646125559.html?share_id=



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