Professor: Ashley Sanchez-Jones

Tuition: $365 member / $440 non-member

8 Weeks; 2 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

As one of the only dance styles born in the United States, Tap Dance has a rich, complicated, and exciting history. Consistently weaving in and out of popular culture, Tap Dance is known for having several renaissance periods that have generated new movement as well as new musical ideas while still holding on to its foundation as the only dance form where movers are dancers AND musicians. Tap Dance is American history and throughout this course, participants will learn: 1) the generation and evolution of tap dance, 2) succinct and efficient explanations of technique, and 3) how to create and teach their own exercises. Lessons will focus on common movements and offer ways to advance these steps through rhythmic challenges and different rudiments. Sample traditional choreographies such as the Shim Sham and Coles & Atkins Soft Shoe will be made available for one’s use. In addition to tap dance history and technique, we will also briefly explore music theory, exercises for deepening improvisation skills, pedagogical methods, and ideas for teaching tap dance where students do not have tap shoes. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with new resources, ideas, and tools to integrate into dance appreciation, dance history, or tap dance courses.

Book required:  None

Questions about this Course?  Email opdi@ndeo.org

"History has never been a subject I did well. But learning about the roots of tap dance and gives me a lot of ammunition to present to my students. I would recommend this course to any tap teacher!

"I think my "fun" times during my time studying with Ashley were actually dancing and choreographing for assignments and where tap dance is now and what I can continue to do to be part of the story of tap dance."

"It really inspired me to create new exercises, combinations, rudiments, and give some history. It got me out of a rut and my kids have loved learning new combinations."

"It inspired me to work harder, think more thoughtfully, and challenge myself. I really liked being forced to come up with new combinations and having the other classmates as inspiration and support."

"I have learned so many things! I feel much more able to teach and discuss the history of tap dance. Additionally, I have learned new ways to simultaneously challenge and engage all of my students in class, even in classes where I have students of various levels - from beginners to advanced tappers."

Ashley Sanchez-Jones comes from a long line of professional Latinx musicians; her grandmother, Dolores, was both a classical and contemporary pianist and her great grandfather, Paul, who moved to the United States to be a professional drummer, working with the Dorsey brothers during the swing era. After her mother said "no" to a drum kit in their home, Ashley began tap classes at Orange County Dance Center which just so happened to be the home residence of Edge PAC owner, Keith Clifton. Jones has trained significantly under Gregg Russell, Linda Sohl-Ellison, and is a long time mentee of tap dancer and historian Steve Zee. Miss Jones has taught and performed across the country, at the Hollywood Bowl, in films, commercials, over 1000 concert dance performances, 4 ACDA regions, as well as in Italy and Spain. She has worked at several community colleges, 4-year public and private universities and private studios for over 25 years. Ashley currently writes and researches the complex American history of the art of tap dance with her thesis research focusing on the female tap dance experience throughout history. Sanchez-Jones holds a dual Bachelors in Political Science and Business Administration from USC as well as an MA in Dance Education from CSULB. For her outstanding MFA research and performance, she received the Graduate Dean's Dissertation Fellowship, Sylvia Reines Scholarship, and Research & Travel grant while at UC Irvine. Most recently, Jones has been selected as a California Woman of Distinction for the Arts as well as a Professional Artist Fellow by the City of Long Beach for 2024.