A Dance Teacher teaches students in dance movement and choreography. Usually requires previous dance experience. Teaches a variety of dancing styles to individuals or groups of students. Styles may include ballet, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, jazz, lyrical or modern.
$44,173 / year median in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia)
Tap Dance Instructor Arts for Schools Inc. - 1.0 Washington, DC Job Details Part-time $29.46 - $35.48 an hour 8 hours ago Qualifications Experience teaching visual & performing arts School experience Teamwork Working with students Organizational skills Full Job Description Tap Dance Instructor After-School Arts Program | Washington, D.C. Immediate Opening Arts4Schools is seeking an experienced and engaging Tap Dance Instructor/Teaching Artist to lead an after-school tap dance program for K-12 students in Washington, D.C. Arts4Schools is a nonprofit arts education organization providing professional arts instruction and creative learning experiences to students during the school day and through after-school programs. We are looking for an instructor who can do more than teach a routine. Students should learn the language, rhythm, technique, history, discipline, and performance practices of tap dance while developing confidence, coordination, musicality, and artistic expression.
Program Schedule Current instructional block:
3:45 PM to 4:45 PM Additional instructional opportunities may become available based on school programming needs. What Students Should Learn The Tap Dance Instructor will introduce students to foundational tap technique and vocabulary in an age-appropriate and progressive manner. Instruction should include areas such as: Proper posture, balance, and body alignment Proper use and care of tap shoes Weight shifting and control Rhythm and musical timing Counting music and recognizing rhythmic patterns Understanding beats, measures, tempo, and syncopation Heel drops Toe taps Dig Brush Spank Shuffle Flap Ball change Step Stamp Stomp Hop Leap Cramp roll Paradiddle Time steps Traveling steps Basic turns and transitions Combining steps into rhythmic phrases Call-and-response exercises Improvisation and freestyle tap Coordination of upper and lower body movement Stage spacing and formations Performance quality and stage presence Students should learn not only how to execute a tap step , but also how to identify the step by name, understand its rhythmic value, and recognize how individual sounds are combined to create musical phrases. Tap as Music The instructor should help students understand that tap dancers are not only dancers, they are also rhythmic musicians .
Students should explore:
Creating rhythm with the feet Listening and responding to music Matching and contrasting musical rhythms Tempo changes Syncopation Dynamics, including soft and strong sounds Repetition and rhythmic patterns Creating short original rhythmic combinations Performing with and without recorded music Students should begin to understand how tap dancers use their bodies as instruments. History and Professional Arts Education Students should receive an age-appropriate introduction to the history and cultural significance of tap dance.
Instruction may include:
The African American roots and history of tap The development of American tap dance Vaudeville and Broadway traditions Jazz music and its relationship to tap Influential tap artists and performers The difference between rhythm tap and Broadway-style tap The role of professional dancers, choreographers, dance captains, and artistic directors Students should also learn professional expectations such as rehearsal discipline, preparation, teamwork, respect for fellow performers, and taking direction. End-of-Quarter Performance The Tap Dance Instructor will prepare students for an end-of-quarter performance or showcase demonstrating the techniques, terminology, rhythmic skills, and choreography learned throughout the program. The instructor will be responsible for: Creating age-appropriate tap choreography Building choreography from skills taught during weekly lessons Rehearsing students consistently throughout the quarter Teaching formations, spacing, entrances, exits, and transitions Developing students' confidence and stage presence Preparing students to perform together as an ensemble Working with Arts4Schools and school personnel to prepare for the culminating presentation The final performance should allow the school community and families to see clear evidence of what students have learned. Instructor Responsibilities The Tap Dance Instructor will: Develop structured weekly lesson plans Teach progressive tap technique and vocabulary Reinforce proper technique and safe movement practices Incorporate rhythm, music, and listening exercises Provide students with opportunities to improvise and create Adapt lessons for varying ages and skill levels Maintain a positive and organized classroom environment Manage student behavior professionally Track student participation and artistic growth Encourage discipline, creativity, confidence, and teamwork Arrive prepared and on time Communicate professionally with Arts4Schools and school staff Prepare students for the required end-of-quarter performance or showcase Qualifications ( must show video and references in hand) Candidates should have: Strong training and experience in tap dance Knowledge of tap terminology, technique, rhythm, and musicality Professional performance, studio, conservatory, collegiate, or teaching experience Experience teaching children or young people Ability to clearly demonstrate and explain tap technique Ability to teach beginner students progressively and safely Ability to create age-appropriate choreography Strong rhythmic and musical skills Strong classroom and behavior-management skills Excellent communication and organizational skills Dependability, professionalism, and enthusiasm for arts education A degree in dance is welcomed but is not required when the candidate can demonstrate substantial professional training and teaching experience. DCPS Clearance Requirements Candidates must be able to meet all requirements for working with students in DC Public Schools.
Applicants must:
Be able to successfully complete all required background checks and clearances Meet applicable fingerprinting and school safety requirements Be eligible to receive DCPS clearance Applicants who are already DCPS-cleared are strongly encouraged to apply. About Arts4Schools Arts4Schools provides professional arts education experiences for K-12 students through artist residencies, after-school programs, assemblies, performances, workshops, and interdisciplinary arts programming. Our goal is not simply to expose students to the arts. We want students to understand the language, technique, history, discipline, and professional practices behind each art form. If you are an experienced tap professional who enjoys teaching young people and believes students should learn both the artistry and musicality of tap dance, we invite you to apply. Immediate placement opportunities are available in Washington, D.C.
