Tap Dance at ADTC
During the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the best tap dancers moved from Vaudeville to cinema and television. Prominent tap dancers of this period include Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Shirley Temple. In the 1950s, tap dance declined, while rock and roll, pop music and jazz dance emerged. Since many believe that jazz dance evolved out of tap dance, the two styles have many moves in common. The 1979 Emmy award winning PBS documentary, No Maps in My Taps, helped begin the recent revival of tap dance. National Tap Dance Day in the U.S. is now celebrated May 25, the birthday of famous tapper, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
Tap Dance Classes @ ADTC Overnight Camps
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or experienced performer, we have a fun & challenging tap dance experience just right for you. Although tap dance is not offered as one of the four core dance classes each week, tap dance is often offered as a separate dance “elective” class…so if you have tap dancing shoes, bring them!
And we always have excellent tap dancers on staff – sometimes even Radio City Rockettes! If tap dance is your thing, you’ll also want to show off your moves during our “American Dance Idol” competition each week!
Preview Tap Dance Performance Videos from ADTC Dance Camps Nationwide
Watch tap dance routines performed at American Dance Training Camps’ overnight dance camps nationwide. Tap dance is an elective class at ADTC, so choreography is mix-level. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more tap dance choreography.
Purchase Tap Dance Choreography By Level
Just Some of Our Amazing Tap Dance Camp Staff
Our top-notch tap dance teachers offer the coolest combinations from some of the best national and international dance studios, schools and performance groups! They are Broadway performers, Radio City Rockettes, collegiate dance team competitors, and contestants from your favorite dance TV shows.
Ashley Peter
Ashley Peter is a New York City based professional dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Jazz and Ballet from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Ashley grew up in Central Florida, but she holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. She travels all over the US and Canada to dance competitions & conventions such as Beyond the Stars, Breakout Dance, SHINE, Starquest, Legacy Dance and Impact Dance in pursuit of her passion – to educate young dancers.
Ashley has been on staff with Universal Dance Association, DivaDance NYC, the Broadway Theatre Project (founded by Ann Reinking), and The Jimmy Awards. Ashley has choreographed for Flash Mob America, the OMMA Awards, Florida Dance Masters, and singer/songwriter Joey Contreras.
Some of Ashley’s favorite performance credits include the Brooklyn based contemporary dance company, UrbanHumans, the NYC Jazz Dance Festival, the Walt Disney Company, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, and RWS & Associates. She has also done national industrials, original Broadway workshops, and numerous shows & festivals throughout NYC.
Ashley has been a Program Director and Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Vermont, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, North Carolina & virtually since 2016. She has a twin brother and is obsessed with her senior dog, Trotter. Another passion of Ashley’s is painting with acrylics – especially painting nature and pets!
Ellen Mihalick
Ellen Mihalick grew up dancing at NJ Ballet and the NJ Dance Theater Ensemble. She live in NYC where she has been a Radio City Rockette since 2013.
In addition to performing at Radio City, Ellen’s professional dance credits include the Broadway National Tours of An American in Paris and South Pacific.
Other favorite career moments include West Side Story (Graziella/DC), Shrek the Musical (ensemble/DC), TV appearances on Amazon’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and HBO’s Succession, as well as walking in NY Fashion week.
When not performing, Ellen is a personal trainer, barre teacher & choreographer. Her recent choreographer credits include Matilda The Musical!
Ellen has been an Instructor & Director at ADTC summer dance camps in California, Colorado, Texas & Maryland since 2017. She’s an #adtcidol and wants to inspire other girls to stay true & believe in themselves. “Dream BIG because hard work pays off.”
Outside of dance, Ellen’s loves include her cat Toni, her six nieces and nephews, and traveling the world… 29 countries and counting. You’ll always see Ellen with her coffee in hand and lots of energy!
Kim McClay
Kim McClay is a multi-disciplined artist based in New York City. A native of St. Louis, she grew up training at Krupinski Academy of Dance and performing at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre (The MUNY).
Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Millikin University in Decatur, IL with a degree in Musical Theatre. She has performed in regional houses across the US, including Ogunquit Playhouse, The Arvada Center, and The Cape Playhouse. One of Kim’s favorite performance credits is playing Maggie on the 2018 National Tour of A Chorus Line.
Kim is a passionate advocate for arts education & enjoys making music whenever she can. In addition to a dancer, she is a singer/songwriter and performs with her band across the NYC music scene (most notably Birdland Jazz Club and Rockwood Music Hall). She also teaches dance and musical theatre with an after-school program in NYC called Applause!
Kim joined ADTC in 2018 as an Instructor-Counselor in North Carolina. She stepped up as Program Director in Wisconsin in 2023. She loves working with kids, especially in an environment full of play. She wants to inspire girls to remember that dance is fun and not to be afraid to mess it up and try again.
When she’s not performing on the stage, Kim can be found biking down the Hudson River Pathway, catching some live music, or holed up in a coffee shop with a good book.
Jayme Wappel
Jayme Wappel is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Connecticut. She has a B.A. in Dance from Point Park University and is the Owner & Director of Monroe Dance Academy.
Jayme is originally from North Carolina and began her dance career in Raleigh at CC & Company Dance Complex where she trained in all genres of dance, ranging from ballet, to jazz, tap and broadway. At Point Park she trained with Kiesha Lalama, Doug Bentz, Garfield Lemonius, and Jason McDole.
Some of Jayme’s favorite performance credits include Finding Neverland (1st National Tour, Swing/Dance Captain); West Side Story (Paper Mill); Guys & Dolls (Goodspeed); Mary Poppins, Starlight Express (Tuacahn Amphitheater); Yo, Vikings! (Pittsburgh Playhouse); and Royal Caribbean (aerialist). And she recently worked closely with Tiler Peck (NYC Ballet Principal Dancer) on a project at Carnegie Hall.
Jayme has directed & taught at ADTC dance camps in Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland, Wisconsin & virtually for 12+ years. She started as a Junior Instructor-Counselor in Illinois in 2011.
When she’s not dancing, you’ll most likely find Jayme listening to a podcast, playing with her goldendoodle, Teddy, or baking with her husband, Clancy! She also loves global travel, roller skating, hiking, pineapples, and, of course, chipmunks.
Sam Gardner
Samantha Canty-Gardner is a New York City based professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and adjudicator. She has a BA in Musical Theatre from James Madison University, where she graduated Cum Laude.
Sam grew up dancing and competing in Michigan. After graduating from JMU, she headed straight to NYC and began teaching and choreographing throughout the tri-state area. She has over 15 years of dance teaching experience in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, kickline, acro, musical theatre, and pom. Her work has received numerous judges awards, both regionally and nationally.
Sam’s favorite performance credits are Gershwin! (Off-Broadway), Mary Poppins, 42nd Street, and The Addams Family. Additional credits include Show Boat, Happy Days, Urinetown, Madagascar, Kiss Me, Kate! and more.
Sam’s teaching experience is not limited to competition students, but also includes professional performers, as well as absolute beginners of all ages. She has been an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Vermont & Maryland since 2022. Sam wants campers to learn that above all else, dance is FUN.
Outside of dance, Sam is obsessed with her cat, Snow White. She also practices her Italian Duolingo every day – her streak is over 300 days!
Jessalyn-Wilson
Jessalyn Wilson is a dancer, choreographer & educator based in Wisconsin. She recently graduated from Viterbo University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a minor in Dance. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics through Viterbo.
Jessalyn grew up competing with Miss Andrea’s Dance Factory in Rockton, IL. She was Valedictorian of her high school class and won a full-tuition scholarship to college. At Viterbo, she was a four-year member and captain of the University Dance Team and earned four All-America titles. She was also a dancer and choreographer for Viterbo’s biannual Dance Kaleidoscope showcase.
This is Jessalyn’s 12th year with ADTC! She spent five summers as a camper in Illinois, and then two summers as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Illinois & Wisconsin before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2019. She has been an Instructor Counselor in Illinois, North Carolina & Maryland, as well as Assistant Program Director in Wisconsin!
When Jessalyn isn’t dancing, she can be found enjoying a good book, training for a half marathon, listening to Taylor Swift, or working on an embroidery or crochet project! Read Jessalyn’s ADTC Idol Story!
Kiley Corcoran
Kiley Corcoran is a New York City based dancer, choreographer and educator. She graduated Valedictorian with her BFA in Dance & Minor in Musical Theatre from The University of The Arts. She is currently on faculty at American Youth Dance Theatre in NYC where her work has been shown at the Kaye Playhouse Theatre at Hunter College.
Kiley’s love of dance and theatre began in her hometown of Andover, Massachusetts. She studied ballet, jazz, tap & Horton technique under Jeannette Neill’s pre-professional dance company, Boston Youth Moves. She also worked with Jim Viera and guest artists such as Kirven Douthit-Boyd & Matt Anctil.
Kiley has trained at the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, Rockettes Summer Intensive, and the American Dance Festival. Some of her favorite credits include performing in works by Milton Myers, Sidra Bell, Paul Matteson, and performing Tommie Waheed-Evans’ piece, “Bodies as Site…” at the International Association of Blacks in Dance in Los Angeles.
Kiley joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2023. She is friends with long-time ADTC veteran staff member, Gina Daugherty (they met when they were just 18 years old at The University of The Arts). You’ll often see Kiley decked out in Lululemon as she is the Guest Experience lead at their UWS location!
Lauren Soto
Lauren Soto is a professional dancer, singer and actress based in New York City. She has a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University.
Lauren began dancing when she was 3 years old in South Florida and started choreographing and teaching at Meg Segreto’s Dance Center in Davie, FL.
Most recently, Lauren was on tour with Jesus Christ Superstar as the Dance Captain and swing. Other performance credits include the National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the International tours of Westside Story and Grease (The Rev).
Lauren joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2023. Outside of dance, Lauren is a PADI Scuba Instructor and has done over 250 dives – she is obsessed with the ocean!
Dakota Smith
Dakota Smith is a professional dancer and choreographer based in New York City. She has a BA in Dance and a minor in Theater Production and Design from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dakota grew up in the ballet world, starting dance at the age of three. In NYC she has shifted more into the jazz/theatre scene. Dakota was recently on a contract with Celebrity Cruises for seven months traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Along with a Production Cast Dancer, she was also the wardrobe captain, mending older costumes to keep them in great condition.
Dakota joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Colorado in 2023. Dancing has always been her passion and she’s proud it is now her profession! Dakota dreams of being on Broadway or a Rockette in the near future…
Kya Cafaro
Kya Cafaro is a New York City based artist. She was a dance major and acting minor at a vocational public school, spending summers in NYC training at studios like Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance.
Growing up in New Jersey in a family of creative people, Kya has been dancing, singing, acting, and playing music for as long as she can remember. When she turned eighteen, she dove head first into auditioning and performing full-time. Most recently, she performed on Holland America Line cruise ships and just got off of a Grand World Voyage which brought her to over thirty countries, performing nearly 400 times.
After spending last year at sea, Kya is thrilled to be back on land nurturing her love of teaching. She’s grateful to be able to adventure, see beautiful places, and connect with others, all while making art. Kya joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor Colorado and Wisconsin in 2023.
Outside of performing and teaching dance, Kya loves animals of all kinds. She has worked for animal control rescuing and rehoming animals, her favorite being a baby racoon.
Alyssa Guardino
Alyssa Guardino is a dancer & choreographer in South Carolina. She is currently pursuing a double major in Dance and Elementary Education with a K-12 dance education certification at the College of Charleston.
Alyssa started dancing at two years old, spending eleven years at Encore Dance Center and four years at High Definition Dance in New York where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, acro, contemporary, and theatre.
This is Alyssa’s 7th year with ADTC! She spent three summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Vermont before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2021. She has been a JIC & IC in North Carolina, Wisconsin & Maryland, and virtually.
When she’s not dancing, Alyssa can be found relaxing on the beach or doing a fun craft. She also trains in many circus arts – her favorite is flying trapeze!
Taylor Eagle
Taylor Eagle is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Ohio. She has a B.A. in Dance Education and a minor in Psych & Childhood Development from UNC Charlotte.
Taylor grew up studying ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and pointe at Eagle Dance Center in Galion, OH. She was a member of EDC’s Competition Team and received many individual & group awards and titles, both regional and national.
Taylor began teaching in 2009 and choreographing in 2013 – working with students ages 3 to 18 in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and pointe. She currently choreographs for EDC’s competition team.
Taylor has been an Instructor Counselor & Asst. Program Director at ADTC in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado & California since 2021. She wants campers to learn that being yourself is the best version of you that you can be.
Morgan Morse
Morgan Morse is a dancer in Ohio. She grew up taking ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre, tap, modern, lyrical and hip hop at Perrysburg Dance Academy. She was captain of the studio’s performance and competition team, and during her last two years of high school, she also assisted younger classes.
This is Morgan’s 9th year with ADTC! She spent eight summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Maryland before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in Maryland, Colorado and Vermont in 2023. Morgan loved being a camper and hopes to help younger girls enjoy ADTC as much as she did!
Rebecca Morris
Rebecca Morris is an Australian dancer, singer, and actor. She studied dance at Brent Street, completing her Certificate IV in Performing Arts in 2012, and Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2013. She has also studied at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC and EDGE Performing Arts Center in LA.
Rebecca’s live performance credits include Bachelor & Spinsters Ball, Big “W” Summer Fashion Show, eMerge Foundation Rugby Luncheon, and Hair Expo. Television credits include Ricki Lee “Do It Like That” film clip choreographed by Marko Panzic, “Everbody Dance Now” Promo choreographed by Jason Gilkison, and The Election Chaser CNN.
Rebecca has an extensive background in dance teaching, sand safe dance practice for the prevention of injury in Australia. She is also a Massage Therapist, completing a Diploma of Remedial Massage at The Australasian College of Natural Therapies.
Rebecca joined the ADTC team in Stratton, Vermont in 2019. She wants girls to realize their love of the performing arts and have so much fun at dance camp that they enroll in even more dance classes at home!
Presley Rimel
Presley Rimel is a professional dancer and choreographer based in South Carolina. She is a recent graduate of Oklahoma City University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy.
Presley trained at Miss Marion’s School of Dance growing up. Her favorite style of dance is tap, but she loves training all styles. She has attended the Rockettes Summer Intensive, Broadway Bound Intensive, and has performed with Disney’s Electrical Parade.
Presley joined ADTC team in 2022 and she has been an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont, Maryland & North Carolina. Outside of dance, Presley plays the violin and has taught herself piano, ukulele and guitar. She loves plants and flowers and would happily open a plant shop one day!
Erica Isakower
Erica Isakower is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New Jersey. She has a BFA in Dance from Hofstra University where she graduated Cum Laude. She is currently a Master of Fine Arts in Dance candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
During her time at Hofstra University, Erica performed in works by Larry Keigwin, Anita Feldman, Luiza Karnas, and José Limón. She is currently an instructor at Dance Artistry Center, Monarch School of Dance, Hailey Jane Dance Center, and Tiffany & Co Academy of Dance in New Jersey.
Erica joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Maryland in 2021. Sharing her knowledge and nurturing the next generation of dancers is the most vital part of Erica’s artistic journey!
Erin Weinberger
Erin Weinberger hails from sunny Sarasota, FL and has been dancing since age 2. She always knew she wanted a career performing, and studied theatre with a dance minor at Wilkes University in PA.
In 2013, Erin moved to the Big Apple and attended the Broadway Dance Center Summer Professional Semester. She has trained with Michael Mindlin, Richard J. Hinds, Al Blackstone, Billy Griffin, and Chip Abbot, to name a few.
Erin’s most recent theater credits include the National Tour of Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, The Music Man, and Guys and Dolls. Her past dance performance credits include Broadway Backwards, Leg Up on Life, The Choreographer’s Canvas, and DanceHouseUSA’s Prepro.
Erin is thrilled to join ADTC in Vermont this summer! She wants to teach girls confidence and self-expression through dance. Erin believes that “if you love to dance, you’re good enough to dance!”
In addition to her “triple threat” performance resume, Erin is a licensed massage therapist and stilt walker in NYC!
Want to Work with our Amazing Choreographers?
Whether you’re a dancer or teacher, we know it’s not easy to stay creatively inspired when it comes to dance routines. We’re here to help! Order custom choreography, book private online dance classes & join the world-class dance teachers & choreographers from ADTC’s dance camps at Free To Dance TV ~ you’ll get access to our growing library of dance tutorials to help you stay inspired & connected all year long!
Free To Dance TV
World-class choreographers from ADTC’s camps come to your home! Free To Dance TV offers 2,000+ free dance videos & tutorials to help you stay inspired & connected. MORE INFO >>
Custom Choreography
Now you can purchase custom dance choreography from the ADTC Choreographer of your choice, delivered via private video. Get a dance routine you love, or your money back! MORE INFO >>
Private Online Classes
Grow as a dancer with 1-on-1 online private dance classes from home! Schedule sessions whenever you want, 7 days a week. Try a single class or save with a 3-Class Pack! MORE INFO >>
Early Bird Registration Discount
$200 OFF per-session (alumni); $150 OFF new campers
Register by April 15th – Refer friends for more discounts!
Hone your jazz dance technique in this 5-day Spring Break Dance Camp for intermediate/advanced dancers! You’ll have 90 minutes of live instruction/discussion with our world class dance instructors + 30 minutes of self-paced practice per-day.
Dance with a real Radio City Rockette & Broadway Star each week! In this ongoing class, experienced dancers will hone the wide variety of techniques & creative expression in contemporary dance. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
Dance with a real Radio City Rockette & Broadway Star each week! In this ongoing class for beginners, dancers explore the fundamentals & wide variety of techniques in contemporary dance. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
Hone your technique in this 5-day Spring Break Dance Camp for intermediate/advanced dancers! You’ll have 90 minutes of live instruction/discussion with our world class dance instructors + 30 minutes of self-paced practice per-day.
The perfect home-based jazz dance camp for all levels! This is a multi-day course that meets one night per-week for four or five weeks.
The perfect home-based hip hop dance camp for all levels! This is a multi-day course that meets one night per-week for four or five weeks.
The perfect home-based contemporary dance camp for all levels! This is a multi-day course that meets one night per-week for four or five weeks.
The perfect home-based jazz dance class for intermediate-advanced dancers! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We’ll hone our jazz & traditional ballet technique while dancing to an upbeat, popular song in this challenging & fun 1-hr class. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
The perfect home-based hip hop dance class for intermediate-advanced dancers! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We’ll explore a mix of street dance styles in a highly energetic, challenging & fun 1-hr class. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
The perfect home-based contemporary dance class for intermediate-advanced dancers! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We’ll hone our technique & explore creative expression in this 1-hr class while energizing movement with emotion. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
The perfect home-based jazz dance class for beginners! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We layer jazz style over traditional ballet technique & dance to upbeat, popular songs in this fun 1-hr class. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
The perfect home-based hip hop dance class for beginners! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We’ll explore a mix of street dance and hip hop foundations in a highly energetic & fun 1-hr class. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!
The perfect home-based contemporary dance class for beginners! This is an open class and does not require a longer commitment. Drop-in anytime! We’ll explore the fundamentals & wide variety of techniques in contemporary dance in this fun 1-hr class. Fresh technique & choreography every time we meet!