Originating in the United States over 300 years ago, tap dance has its roots in both traditional British jigs and African folk dance. Characterized by the sound of tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussion instrument, the dance is sometimes performed as part of a music theatre.  

Judy Somers, an adult tapper for the last several years, wanted to dance since she was a child. Since there were no dance classes in B.C.’s interior where Judy grew up, her mother, a Shirley Temple contemporary, taught Judy the dance steps she remembered from lessons she had taken in her youth. 

Having enjoyed Bollywood, ballroom and belly dancing later, Judy was in her mid-40s when a friend suggested they take an adult tap class. “Let’s do it,” was Judy’s response. She loved the patterns and the music and has been tap dancing ever since.

An education media producer for distance education courses at the University of Victoria, Judy says, “I have never been in a team sport, but I think there’s a similar team spirit in our dance class, especially when we’re practising for a performance. Many of the gals in our group have been together for several years, so there’s a real social part to the class, as well as the exercise. If I go to class in a grumpy mood, I come out with a smile.” Dancing once a week, Judy says her hips may be a bit sore after a dance night, if she doesn’t stretch, but it’s always worth it. 

Blessed with a creative imagination, Judy says, “In my mind, on a good night, I’m Ann Miller or Ginger Rogers. I love to dance, and with tap dancing, you’re not dependent on having a partner when the music inspires you.” 

Judy recommends tap dancing to anyone who enjoys camaraderie and moving to upbeat music. Beginner classes are offered at local recreation centres or “guest nights” at various dance studios encouraging newcomers. 

Dancing since she was seven, Brenda Jagdis tried ballet and stage performance dance but then moved on to dancing in a studio, where she had a chance to perform in more than just the year-end shows. While a university student in her 20s, Brenda joined the *Jerry Gosley Smile Show*, a song-and-dance comedy routine that ran six shows a week for two months every summer and continued for 30 years.         

“Tap dance keeps my brain mobile and flexible and sharp,” says Brenda.  In tap, “you have to be doing one thing and think of what you’re going to do next and beyond that. You have to be able to co-ordinate your head, direction, position, your arms, your legs and your body as well as how you look.” Although she enjoys the practise, Brenda finds “the pure joy comes from performing on stage.” 

A former infant development consultant with a bachelor’s degree in child and youth care, Brenda says her tap dance class has evolved into a group of supportive friends with whom she socializes. The camaraderie started when the dancers decided to sew their own costumes to perform in a festival. Brenda offered to co-ordinate the production, but everyone worked together with fabric and patterns laid out on the floor, and everyone taking part even if they couldn’t sew. 

In addition to dancing, Brenda co-ordinates the Jerry Gosley Memorial Arts Fund Scholarship Program, a scholarship for post-secondary students studying music theatre full time. She also works with DanceWorks, a society that promotes dance through workshops, financial support and festival. “Dancing is something that fulfills me,” she says. 

Recently, Brenda has encouraged two of her friends to start tapping. She highly recommends the exercise to people her age.   

Paul Miles’ parents enrolled him in tap dance lessons when he was eight. “I felt quite ‘lost’ after my first lesson,” he says, “but was determined to catch up.  I later enjoyed the special attention accorded to male tap dancers.” 

Paul learned modern, jazz, ballet and Spanish dancing in the ’60s when he lived in what was then Rhodesia. There, he won trophies in Dance Festivals and distinctions in tap exams. Later, in his teens and early 20s, he danced and performed in a number of musical productions. From Rhodesia, his family moved to Malawi and then to South Africa.

Finally, looking for a better life for his family, at age 46, Paul and his wife, Leigh, brought their family to Canada where Paul soon reconnected with theatre performances. That led to taking more tap dancing lessons. He passed his ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) tap examinations up to Associate Teacher level.

According to Paul, dancing may be approached in many ways: as an exercise, as a learning experience that focuses on conveying techniques for movement and physical expression, or as a public performance concerned with entertaining the audience. Paul’s greatest interest has always been in entertaining the audience.
“I’m a firm believer in the great power of humour,” he says. “I think that tap dance performances should generally express ‘joie de vivre.’”  Although dance, even tap, can express pathos, Paul believes “that should be the exception rather than the rule.” 

Paul takes the opportunity to dance in festivals and music theatres whenever the opportunity arises. He finds tap dancing a stress relieving contrast to his administrative/accounting day job, and a purposeful way to socialize. He believes tap dancing can be enjoyed well into one’s senior years. “Dancing makes me feel good about myself and provides a sense of achievement,” he says.

Whether socializing, exercising the brain and the body, or performing, the musical tap dance can be fun and inspiring for all ages. Everyone loves a good tapper.

For information about adult tap dancing, visit the Dance Victoria website at www.DanceVictoria.com or call 250-595-1829.

JANUARY 2012 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND