Beginning Tap Dance With HKPropel Access

Beginning Tap Dance With HKPropel Access introduces students to tap dance techniques and cultivates an appreciation of tap dance as a performing art. Focusing on novice dancers, experienced tap dancer and dance instructor Lisa Lewis offers step-by-step instruction to help beginning tap dancers match the beat of their enthusiasm to the rhythm of their feet!

Designed for students enrolled in introductory tap dance courses, Beginning Tap Dance contains concise descriptions of exercises, steps, and techniques. Related online tools delivered via HKPropel feature more than 70 video clips of tap steps with verbal cues to help students review content from class or learn other beginning steps. It also contains learning features to support and extend students’ knowledge of tap dance, including assignments, e-journaling prompts, tests of tap dance terminology, a glossary, and links to further study.

The book introduces the dance form by detailing its physical and mental benefits. Students learn about etiquette, proper attire, class expectations, health, and injury prevention for dancers. After basic dance steps are introduced, tap steps are presented in groups with one, two, three, and four or more sounds. Chapters also introduce students to the history, major works, artists, styles, and aesthetics of tap dance as a performing art. 

Beginning Tap Dance is ideal to support both academic and kinesthetic learning. Instructions, photos, and video clips of techniques help students practice outside of class. The text and online learning tools complement studio teaching by providing historical, artistic, and practical knowledge of tap dance plus activities, assessments, and support in skill acquisition. With Beginning Tap Dance, students can learn and enjoy performing tap dance as they gain an appreciation of the dance form. 

Beginning Tap Dance is a part of Human Kinetics’ Interactive Dance Series. The series includes resources for ballet, modern, tap, jazz, musical theatre, and hip-hop dance that support introductory dance technique courses taught through dance, physical education, and fine arts departments. Each student-friendly text has related online learning tools including video clips of dance instruction, assignments, and activities. The Interactive Dance Series offers students a collection of guides to learning, performing, and viewing dance. 

A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

Lisa Lewis, PhD, is an associate professor in the health and human performance department at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Lewis started her professional dance training under master teachers Mallory Graham and Danny Hoctor, and later she studied in New York City under the legendary jazz teacher Frank Hatchett and tap professional Maurice Hines at Hines-Hatchett studio (currently Broadway Dance Center). Dr. Lewis developed online tap dance components for beginners while instructing tap dance at Middle Tennessee State University.