Rhythm in Motion

Let’s Learn About Tap Dancing

Tap dancing is a percussive dance form that developed in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its roots lie in African rhythmic traditions brought to the U.S. by enslaved Africans. When drums were banned on plantations, enslaved people preserved rhythmic communication through body percussion, footwork, call-and-response patterns, and movement-based storytelling. During the 20th century, tap dancing evolved alongside jazz music, with the two sharing an emphasis on syncopation and improvisation. Modern tap continues to evolve, with contemporary artists blending traditional footwork with new stories, and dabbling in cross-genre collaborations.

Just because it’s historical doesn’t mean it’s gone out of style! Today, tap can be found in concerts, musical theatre, and experimental performances alike. Join tap dancer, choreographer, and UMS Artist in Residence Shanzell Page to explore the rhythm, history, and techniques of tap dancing.

Explore the accompanying slides and worksheets to learn more about tap dancing.

About the Artist

Shanzell Page is a Flint-born performing artist, choreographer, and founder of Mindful Movement with Shanzell, a performing arts initiative dedicated to preserving the legacy of tap dance while fostering arts education, cultural exploration, and inclusive engagement. A recipient of the Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program and the 2025–2026 Artist in Residence with the University Musical Society and University of Michigan-Flint, she premiered her original work Salt in the Soil at Detroit’s Sidewalk Festival in August 2025. Her work invites audiences and participants alike to experience dance as both a living tradition and a catalyst for change.