When I first started teaching dance, I quickly realized how often students learn steps before they ever learn where those steps come from. I’ve made it a personal mission to weave history into my classes, not just because it enriches the experience, but because it connects dancers to a lineage much greater than themselves.
Tap dance (although I am not a tap teacher), in particular, is one of those styles with such deep roots in both African and American culture that it deserves more than just a casual mention. Understanding the greats: Savion Glover, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and so many others, gives young dancers a sense of pride, purpose, and perspective.
Today, I want to share why I believe teaching tap dance history is vital, a little about the origins of tap, and some incredible artists every tap dancer should know.
The Importance of Teaching Dance History
Dance is storytelling. And you can’t fully tell the story if you don’t know where it begins.
When we only teach technique, we risk losing the rich cultural heritage that makes each dance style unique. I have noticed how much more invested my students become once they know the struggles, triumphs, and artistry of those who came before them.
Incorporating history into your dance education isn’t about turning every class into a lecture. It’s about creating context: Why do we shuffle? Why do we flap? Where did this rhythm come from? Who innovated the moves we take for granted today?
A well-rounded dance education includes this layer of knowledge. Dance is more than movement, it’s music, culture, history, and community all rolled into one. This is especially true in tap dance.
Tap Dance: A Brief History
Tap dance is a truly American art form, but its roots reach far beyond American shores.
Tap evolved from a blend of African rhythmic footwork and European step dances, particularly Irish and English clog dancing. During the era of slavery, African dancers were often forbidden to use drums. In response, they transferred complex rhythms to their feet a form of cultural resilience that shaped the rhythmic essence of tap.
As these traditions mingled, particularly in cities and on the minstrel and vaudeville stages, the foundation of what we now know as tap dance emerged. By the early 20th century, tap had become a popular performance art, seen everywhere from the streets of Harlem to Hollywood films.
Honoring the Greats of Tap Dance
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
No conversation about tap dance can start without Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
Robinson is widely credited with bringing tap up on its toes, moving away from flat-footed shuffles and into a lighter, more elegant style. His career spanned vaudeville, Broadway, and film, and his famous stair dance still inspires dancers today. Robinson also broke racial barriers, performing with Shirley Temple in films during an era when segregation ruled Hollywood.
Each year, National Tap Dance Day is celebrated on May 25th, Robinson’s birthday a fitting tribute to his contributions.
The Nicholas Brothers
If you’ve never shown your students a video of the Nicholas Brothers, do it now. Their blend of tap, acrobatics, and showmanship was unmatched.
Fayard and Harold Nicholas grew up in the vibrant world of Harlem’s Cotton Club. Their style was athletic, musical, and daring, with signature moves like the “leapfrog” splits that left audiences gasping.
One of my favorite classroom moments was watching my students’ jaws drop when I showed them the Nicholas Brothers’ routine from the film Stormy Weather. It’s a reminder that history isn’t dusty or dull, it’s thrilling and alive.
Savion Glover
Savion Glover brought tap into the modern age with a fresh, grounded, and unapologetically rhythmic style.
A child prodigy, Glover was mentored by legends like Gregory Hines, and he’s carried forward tap’s cultural and historical significance while evolving its language. His work in Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk brought the African American roots of tap to the forefront, blending percussive dance with themes of Black history and social commentary.
I often reference Glover when encouraging students to explore rhythm beyond the traditional “count 5-6-7-8.” His message? Tap is music.
Other Influential Figures
Of course, these are just a few of the many artists who shaped tap:
- John W. Bubbles: Innovator of rhythm tap and a major influence on Glover and Hines.
- Eleanor Powell: One of the few white female tap stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, known for her powerhouse solos.
- Gregory Hines: Actor, teacher, and performer who helped revitalize tap in the late 20th century.
- Brenda Bufalino: Tap master and educator who has preserved the jazz and improvisational roots of the form.
Each one brought something unique to the art style, technique, or cultural impact, and their stories deserve to be told.
Tap Dance’s African Roots
It’s important to acknowledge that tap would not exist without the contributions of African dancers.
When enslaved Africans in America were stripped of their drums, they used their bodies to keep the rhythm alive. The polyrhythmic footwork they developed is the heart of tap. These rhythms tell stories, express identity, and carry on traditions that might otherwise have been lost.
As a teacher, it’s my responsibility to make sure students understand this lineage. Tap is a story of survival, innovation, and joy born from adversity. It is African dance, transformed through the lens of American history.
Why It Matters Now
In today’s dance world, where trends come and go quickly, there’s something grounding about connecting to the deeper roots of your craft.
Teaching the history of tap dance helps students appreciate the art form beyond steps and routines. They learn respect, for those who came before and for the culture that birthed the style. They also gain a deeper understanding of music, rhythm, and storytelling.
Tap connects dancers to the beat of history. When students shuffle, flap, and improvise, they’re continuing a conversation that spans continents and centuries.
How I Incorporate History Into My Classes
You don’t need to overhaul your entire curriculum to start teaching history. Here are a few ways I weave it in:
- Monthly focus: Highlight a tap legend each month and play their work in class.
- Show videos: Visuals like the Nicholas Brothers’ routines or Glover’s performances leave a lasting impression.
- Discuss origins: Whenever introducing a new step, talk about where it came from.
- Connect to other styles: Help students see how tap relates to jazz, hip hop, and African dance.
A little context goes a long way in creating curious, respectful, and well-rounded dancers.
Final Thoughts
As dancers and educators, we have a responsibility to preserve the rich history of our art forms. Tap dance, with its deep African roots and dynamic American evolution, deserves to be taught with the reverence and joy it inspires.
When we honor the greats — from Bojangles to Glover — we’re not just teaching steps. We’re teaching resilience, innovation, and the universal language of rhythm.
So let’s make space for history in our tap classes. Our students, and the art itself, will be better for it.
Related Articles from My Blog You May Enjoy:
- Affirmations for Dancers: The Power of Positive Thinking
- Dance Goals for 2025: The Importance of Setting Goals as a Dancer
- Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Dance
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
