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1-on-1 Tap Dance Lessons Beginner-Pro || No Taps Required

I've developed a system in my private lessons where I tailor my approach to provide guidance, mentoring, and instruction helping each student realize their true potential and unlocking confidence and gifts within them. Embrace Uniqueness!
Jovon Miller
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(1)
New on Outschool
Class

What's included

Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed
60 mins
per session
Teacher support
Homework
1 hour per week. For continuing lessons Homework will be based on personalized goals set by the parent(s), student, and

Class Experience

Beginner - Advanced Level
Shot in 4k with 2 camera angles!


Hi I am Jovon Miller and I am excited to guide you, and your student, along their dance journey via private lessons!  I welcome students of all levels and abilities from those just starting to students at a professional level. Private tap dance lessons are curated for each individual student that I teach. I meet each student where they are at as individuals and we work together to create customized goals and lesson plans. For private lessons, I view the student, their parent/guardian, and myself as a team working together as a pivotal part of the learning process.  


LEARN THE BASICS OF TAP
Learn the Basics of Tap: You'll learn the names (yes, the moves have names), definitions, and counts for each move, with detailed instructions on the specific muscle groups and body angles needed to produce the perfect sound or effect. For more advanced dancers we will really dig into each step and movement to create a solid foundation for their dancing.

ROUTINES
The way I teach routines involves a step-by-step guide that includes breaking down, counting, and explaining in detail the various rhythms, phrases, and moves. This approach will enhance your musicality, elevating your dance performances and understanding of music to new heights. We'll also cover parts of some famous tap dances!

ELEMENTS OF IMPROVISATION AND MUSICALITY
Go beyond the basics and deepen your appreciation for music theory. Learn the intricacies and qualities of music, and apply them to your improvisation, adapting both old and new movements without restricting the art form. You will be provided with practice methods and guidance to enhance your learning experience

TAP DANCE & AMERICAN HISTORY
Tap is one of the original American-made art forms. I'll guide you through its beginnings, introduce you to various tap legends, and show you that tap history is American history!

WHY PRIVATE LESSONS ARE SPECIAL:
I've spent years refining how to teach tap, creating a new system and methodology that offers an astonishing in-depth look at each move, combination, dance, and song. Each lesson may also be part lecture, allowing you to dive deeper into various subjects, ask questions, and gain invaluable context.

All of my lessons are interactive, allowing students to ask questions freely. Typically, we start with a warm-up session, followed by a review of previous steps and an introduction to new ones. During lessons, we deeply explore the rich history of tap dancing, comprehend the significance of each movement, learn the names of individual moves, understand their execution in detail, and delve into their practical applications. I utilize a variety of methods (such as deliberate practicing methods, and learning the names of bones and muscles) and media (including video, audio, and apps) to propel my students to the next level.

I'm down-to-earth, and my approach focuses on building up students with practical skills. I'm proficient in creating small, achievable goals to bridge the gap to bigger and more ambitious dance goals. I'm here for you, guiding and coaching you toward your dream. So, if you're ready to learn how to tap with what you've already got, sign up today!
Learning Goals
As private lessons are highly individualized, the following are an example of possible goals that can be achieved through private lessons:

♫ A comprehensive comprehension of music and its correlation with dance.
♫ Proficiency in tap dancing fundamentals, including basic improvisation skills.
♫ The capability to count rhythmically like a musician.
♫ Competence in producing clear and uniform sounds and rhythms.
♫ Enhanced self-confidence.
♫ Fundamental historical insight into tap dance and its connection to American History
learning goal

Other Details

Learning Needs
Dance SHOULD be accessible. Please communicate any needs and I will facilitate! I have a family of special needs and neuro-diverse individuals, so I INVITE the opportunity to work with people just like them! I'm here for YOU!
Parental Guidance
Dance, as an art form, not only nurtures the soul but also challenges the body. To ensure that each student's journey is both fun and safe, we kindly ask parents and guardians to take note of the following recommendations and potential hazards associated with the dance movements and routines involved in our classes: Preparing for Class: ♫ Open Workout Space: Ensure there is a clear and open area for students to move freely without the risk of bumping into furniture or other objects. A space of at least 6x6 feet is recommended for each dancer. For quality of sound try to use a hard surface floor. ♫ Hydration: Please provide your child with a water bottle to keep nearby during class. I typically allow students to get water whenever they need to. Since we are online, it’s totally fine for them to have their water bottle near them, so they can just grab it when they need to and still watch and participate in class. ♫ Adequate Stretching: Each class will begin with guided warm-up exercises to prepare the body for dance. I also educate your child on what we are doing and why, so they can embrace these practices and help prevent injuries. ♫ Please have your student wear shoes that are... 1. Secure on their feet 2. Closed toed 3. Hard sole 4. Sneakers, basketball shoes, walking shoes, and dress shoes (might scuff the floor but just clean with soap and water) are examples of shoes that are great options 5. Refer to the student video on what shoes to wear for examples and additional information 6. OR properly fitting tap shoes if your students have them Potential Hazards and Injuries: ♫ While dance is a celebratory expression of movement, it is not without its risks. Common injuries in dance can include sprains, strains, and bruises. More serious injuries can be avoided by adhering to the preparation guidelines above and by ensuring that students do not push their bodies beyond their limits. Supervision and Support: ♫ Supervision: For our younger dancers, or those new to dance, parental supervision during online lessons is recommended to assist with technical difficulties and to provide immediate support if needed. ♫ Emotional Support: Learning dance can be challenging. Providing positive reinforcement and emotional support can greatly enhance your child's learning experience and resilience. By sharing this information, we aim to collaborate with parents and guardians to create a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment for every student. Your understanding, preparation, and support are integral to the success and safety of our dance class. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to ask. Together, let's make this dance journey a memorable and safe experience for your child.
Supply List
1) Favorite shoes that are secure to your foot (Please review the class description video for more information), OR tap shoes.
2) Hard surface to dance on with plenty of space to move safely.
3) Notebook and writing utensil.
4) Ready to learn and grow!
 1 file available upon enrollment
Joined February, 2024
5.0
1reviews
New on Outschool
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have over 25 years of teaching experience working with children on various subjects!
Some of my Accomplishments:

1. Dance Education and Choreography:

♫ Received a BA in dance from Western Washington University with a focus on modern interpretive dance.
♫ Founder and owner of Jovon Miller Productions, dedicated to creating artists and providing performance opportunities while teaching life lessons through dance.
♫ Creates choreography for various forms of dance including tap, contemporary, and jazz, producing award-winning solos, duos, trios, and group dances for competitions and his dance company.
♫ Master educator in Tap dance, soft shoe, solo jazz, and Vernacular Jazz dances
♫ Created and developed a unique curriculum to teach Tap and created his own class series, “Anybody Can Tap!” 
♫ Designed the class to show that anyone can learn to tap! Including soft shoe tap!
♫ Mentored by Chester Whitmore (protege of Fayard Nicholas, choreographer for Boys II Men, Sugar Ray, Teena Marie as well as working with artists such as Savion Glover, MC Hammer, Prince and many more). Together they are working to preserve the oral history of Vernacular Jazz Dances
♫ Instructor, Emcee, Producer, and co-creative director, Camp Jitterbug and The Jump Session Show, Seattle WA

2. Music Background:
♫ Former professional musician: Saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Classical and Jazz music.
♫ Utilizes his music background, having performed with notable musicians such as Gerald Turner, Kevin Gardner, and Greg Adams, to teach music theories, musicality, and rhythm in dance.

3. Recognition and Awards:
♫ Recognized with awards in both regional and national competitions for innovative choreography and technical training.
♫ Nominated for outstanding spoken word or storytelling in the 2015 Voice Arts Awards for his piece "Elemental War."
♫ Owns a show in Western Washington University’s Student Education Matinee Series, inspiring children with engaging choreography and personality.

4. Commissioned Work and Collaborations:
♫ Commissioned to choreograph for various organizations including Evoke Productions and the Seattle International Dance Festival.
♫ Choreographer and dancer in a Greg’s Japanese Auto commercial.

5. Performances and Accolades:
♫ Performed for notable individuals and organizations including Sam Gilliam, Tyler Perry, members of the United States Congress, Disney, and Coca-Cola executives.
♫ Notable mention in the book "The Less Subdued Excitement, A Century of Jazz in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington."
♫ Started tap dancing in 2006 and became Winner of the 2009–2010 Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship for his work in tap dance.
♫ Concept co-creator, choreographer, and leading performer for The Jump Session Show, featuring artists from across the globe.
♫ Privileged to perform alongside renowned artists such as Chester Whitmore and Greta Matassa.
♫ Commissioned to co-direct and perform in a show “Torino Royal” in Torino, Italy, alongside Ryan Francois, for the Torino Swing Festival, including teaching master classes in tap, jazz, and improvisation.

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Live 1-on-1 Lessons
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$100

per session
Meets on demand
60 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-18

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