Intro To Tap History with Lisa La Touche

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This course provides an opportunity for Tap Dance artists and practitioners, educators and enthusiasts worldwide to join in an introductory deep dive into Tap Dance history.

Created by Lisa La Touche, the course is led through the curiosity of perspectives regarding stories of origins and narratives on the history of Tap Dance.

Topics will include an overview of the ring shout, the acts of resistance that led to the history of the drums being taken away, as well as look into the minstrel era that preceded the debut of Tap Dance into vaudeville, broadway, and early era of the movies.

The course length is approximately 35 min and includes brief moments to review recommended video viewing, to provide greater context, as well as a suggested resource guide provided as a downloadable PDF.


Course Curriculum


  PART 1 - Origins, Resistance, Freedom, Ringshout
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  PART 2: The minstrel area and more
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  INTRODUCTORY RESOURCE GUIDE
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Your Instructor


Lisa La Touche
Lisa La Touche
As a proud New Yorker and proud Canadian, Lisa’s credits include being an original cast member in Broadway’s Shuffle Along, choreographed by Savion Glover and Directed by George C. Wolfe, where she received both the Fred Astaire Award and the Actor’s Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. She is also currently a Dora Award (Canada) nominee for her performance, choreography and co-direction of the Tap Dance Legacy Concert c/o dance Immersion and Canadian Stage in Toronto with Travis Knights. Her TV credits include the 70th Annual Tony Awards and Amazon’s Original “Z, The beginning of everything”. Previous highlights have also included touring with the Savion Glover production, Stepz, performing with Dormeshia at Harlem’s legendary Cotton Club as well as performing with both New York's Off-Broadway and the North American touring casts of STOMP. Since 2010 she has run her own performance company Tap Phonics and has been commissioned to present choreographic works for institutions such as The Brooklyn Museum, 92Y, Gibney Dance, Decidedly Jazz and Fall For Dance North. As an educator and Professor she is on faculty at PACE University, Marymount Manhattan College and the University of Calgary.She has also taught at NYU, The School of Jacob’s Pillow, Rosie’s Theater Kids and member of the creative council for the American Tap Dance Foundation. Her recent endeavor includes co-curating the Tap Dance Legacy Series along with Travis Knights in partnership with dance Immersion providing the local black community free access to their cultural history. She also has written and directed her debut documentary film TRAX encompassing her journey back to Alberta while discovering important local black history. Above all, her proudest achievement greatest inspiration, is the gift of being a mom. For further info please visit www.lisalatouche.com



Artist and Educator Statement from Lisa La Touche


I am a Tap Dancer. To me, Freedom is the fearlessness of expression, existence and knowledge of which we all deserve. To practice and study this art form is to also know its people, African ancestry, as well as the vastness of its servitude in dance, music in both cultural and social histories. While I have been blessed with a successful career, it is a privilege and high honor to be considered a leader and representative of such a rich and resilient legacy, especially as a Black woman. Passion drives me towards greater purposes all stemming from the simplicity of curiosity and awareness of the African roots my connection to Tap Dance’s origin stories here in North America. Cultural context and meaning making are held up at the highest integral value while passing on the knowledge and practices of my craft. I do so always simultaneously with continued research and exploration while enjoying the journey of learning as it is a process. Therefore, as a performing artist, educator, and cultural historian, I delight in connecting and engaging with humanity continuously through listening and sharing, all with community development initiatives leading us towards ourselves as individuals and people.

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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