<![CDATA[DANCE DANCE HOORAY!

<![CDATA[DANCE DANCE HOORAY! - Blog]]>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:29:07 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[create magic, captivate attention & cultivate artistry in your dance classes]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:27:13 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/create-magic-captivate-attention-cultivate-artistry-in-your-dance-classes

photo credit: KT Miller Photography

In dance training, if technique is the "what" and the "how", then artistry is certainly the "why". Artistry is the element that lifts skill, makes it human, and makes connection possible.

Artistry is what makes dance feel *magical* to us all.

Like dance technique, it has to be cultivated and it requires an environment where students feel safe to take chances, find their personal voice, and try something new. The good news -- the "when" and the "who" -- is that you can start anytime and with any age level.

Here are the three best ways I help my students get comfortable with exploring artistry and feel the magic of dance:

Preschool Age
I build my dance classes for this age group around an imaginative theme. Everything thing we do in class relates to the theme, which makes the learning process feel like a fun adventure. "Show me" is one of my favorite phrases to use with this age group, to help guide creativity and artistry. For example, "We just pretended to be penguins sliding on the ice. Can you show me how YOU think a penguin loves to move?". Preschool age dancers often feel very comfortable expressing themselves through movement and are excited to show and share their ideas. One of my favorite dance games to play with this age group is a prompted or guided freeze dance exercise with movement cards. Preschoolers are gifted improvisers, ready to jump in with you and go for it.

Elementary Age
You know in the story of Peter Pan, when Tinkerbell starts to lose her powers because people don't believe in her? That's how I feel when I see my elementary age students begin to look to one another for approval when I ask them to "show me their best moves" during class. At this age, their social-emotional maturity and their technical training can be a little at odds with their own self-expression. Their technique classes have more structure now and that is what is comfortable for them. To keep the spirit of Tinkerbell alive, I like to sneak lessons in artistry into their classes by asking them to add their individuality in very small ways. I'll have them add arm choreography of their choice into a combination we've learned or I'll turn off the lights and have a 60-second disco ball party at the end of class. I also find that collaborative warm-up & step-based choreography games are great for this age group because they allow the class to work as one, as well as learn the basics of choreographic structure. They are usually eager to participate, rolling the dice or drawing a card to make our class combo or warm-up.

Middle School & High School Age
In your technique classes for these ages, your dancers are learning how movement can be a powerful vehicle for expression. The choreography or class combos they are working on likely have an emotional element or tell a story. For me, the trick is getting these dancers to translate that expressiveness into self-expression and individual artistry. Learning to choreograph is a skill and young artists need tools to practice with. For me, choreography starter games are the best way to help my dancers on their way.

What are your favorite ways for infusing artistry into your dance classes?

Visit my shop for more dance resources that support a creative, positive, and imaginative dance classroom. Keep in touch by signing up for my newsletter, and join me on Facebook at dance dance HOORAY or follow me on Instagram @dancedancehooray!

]]><![CDATA[a fun tool for working on tempo in kids' tap classes]]>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:23:17 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/a-fun-tool-for-working-on-tempo-in-kids-tap-classes

Sometimes the algorithm sends me the PERFECT tool for tap class......so, of course, when that happens, I want to share it with you too!

A few years ago, Spotify suggested a song to me -- "Walking Notes" by Hap Palmer. It is a song that demonstrates half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes in a way that the students can really feel. The song cycles through different tempos, asking the listeners to move along to the beat. Although Walking Notes may be intended for a music class, for me it works wonderfully for tap!

I like to use this song to practice a variety of tap skills, while challenging the students to really listen to the downbeat and stay with the music. In addition to giving the dancers a better understanding of tempo, moving to this song also helps them to clarify their tap sounds and feel how it is necessary to adjust their steps by making them smaller to go faster.

In case you would like to try it out too, here some ways I like to use the song for tap class for different age groups --

Walking Notes Steps for Preschool & Kindergarten Age

marches
heel-toe
step-heel (toe-heel)
crawls
tapping sticks on ground, while seated

Walking Notes Steps for Elementary Age

paradiddle
4-point riff (ball, scuff, dig, toe)
step-heel, in a grapevine pattern
step clap
duple (even) cramp rolls

Some dancers feel like the faster they tap, the more impressive or better they are --- it is hard to convince them that staying with the music is the real challenge, For me, this song is the perfect tool to help them to see that the "race" is not to be the fastest; the "race" is how well we match the music!

Happy tapping, and have a wonderful week!

listen to walking notes by hap palmer

Visit my shop for more dance resources that support a creative, positive, and imaginative dance classroom. Keep in touch by signing up for my weekly tap newsletter, and join me on Facebook at dance dance HOORAY or follow me on Instagram @dancedancehooray!

]]><![CDATA[5 Tips for teaching tap to 3-year-olds]]>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:04:28 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/5-tips-for-teaching-tap-to-3-year-olds

I will never stop shouting it from the rooftops — tap class is for preschoolers too! Tap class has the power to make young children fall in love with movement, just like ballet and gymnastics do.

But, you might ask – How can I keep a room full of little kids engaged with tap steps alone? How on earth do I control a group of preschoolers with noisy, slippery shoes on their feet and still teach them something?

These are very real, very valid questions - but do not fear! My on-the-job research, thanks to 25+ years of teaching tap to all ages, has helped me to narrow down the best methods for preschool tap class, and I am going to share them with you. Tap has so many learning benefits to offer, and I think every child deserves the chance to feel in awe at the sounds their feet can make.

Finding the right approach to your preschool tap class will change depending on the age of the dancers in the class. Today, let’s focus on the youngest bunch - the three-year-olds.

Who They Are:
Three-year-olds are curious, imaginative, and are learning to be independent. They are growing their conceptual understanding of things like shapes, colors, and directions (on, off, in front, behind). They are eager to try something new and they love to celebrate a job well done.

Tap Class Strategies for Three-Year-Olds

Tip #1 – Circle Up
For engagement and focus, a circle formation cannot be beat, especially for three-year-old tap class. A circle format allows the teacher to see and connect with every dancer and also allows the dancers to see the teacher clearly. At this age, I don’t often worry about the students using the same foot as me when trying a skill, but when I need them to be in sync, we put colorful scrunchies around our ankles and I ask them to “use their red foot” or “use their blue foot”.

Tip #2 - Start Sitting Down
Three-year-olds thrive on routine, and one helpful routine you can use is having your dancers immediately sit down (in the circle formation, on dots or on floor tape marks) when they enter the studio for tap class. I like to use this time for a variety of things: to go over our rhyming class rules; to briefly introduce our lesson plan theme for the day; to do a Hello song to greet each dancer; and most importantly, to “wake up” our tap shoes! (Click here to see exactly how we wake up our shoes in my classes and click here to see how I teach my class rules.)

Tip #3 - Keep It Simple
A little bit goes a long way in three-year-old tap, when it comes to skill exercises and combos. When I feel myself trying to add too much or make a pattern too layered, I stop and remind myself that for three-year-olds, straightforward is the best path. Focusing on one skill at a time for several repetitions gives three-year-old dancers the best opportunity to catch on, follow along, and succeed. Less is more!

Tip #4 - Train Their Musical Ear With Props
Not every part of tap class needs to be feet-focused. A large part of learning to dance is understanding how movement relates to the music. Using musical props is a great tool for this. When the dancers need a break from movement (or when energy is getting too high), sitting and using egg shakers, bell bracelets, and rhythm sticks allows the students to learn in a different way. Put on a familiar song and use these props, or even a small drum and mallet, to play the downbeat while singing along.

Tip #5 - When In Doubt, March It Out
In between exercises that require more concentration or motor planning, it is a great idea to march around the room. Traveling around the dance room re-engages the students and gives their bodies a “brain break” and the physical and predictable input they need after doing harder work. While marching, the students also practice stepping with the downbeat and moving in relation to one another in space. Some simple marching ideas include: playing a Stop & Go listening game (march while the music is on, freeze in place when the music stops); practicing marches forward, backward, or sideways; and - always a fan favorite - playing follow-the-leader, giving each child a chance to be the marching leader around the room.

Now you’re ready to dive in and see the wonder and joy in action when your students feel the power of making sounds with their bodies!

Get my free Benefits of Tap Dance printable poster PDF and social media graphic here!

For more tap tips and smart resources for tap teachers, follow me! You can find me here at www.dancedancehooray.com and @dancedancehooray on Instagram.

]]><![CDATA[dance games - spark learning today!]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:19:13 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/dance-games-spark-learning-today

Are you a "yay" or "nay" when it comes to playing dance games in your classes?

I used to feel dance teacher guilt when I utilized dance games as part of my lesson plan. (It kinda feels like cheating, right?) The voice in my head would say "dance games are only for unprepared or un-serious dance teachers" or "dance games are just for lazy days".

But here's the thing -- that doubting voice was holding me back from being the type of teacher that serves my students in all the ways they need. (And it is likely holding you back too.)

Dance games ARE learning tools......and 20+ years of seeing the benefits to my students has finally quieted my dance teacher guilt. Let's go.

Redefine Dance Games
Perhaps you remember your teacher using dance games only as a class quick fix -- when there was a sub, when the recital choreography was done, or when half the class was missing that day and your teacher wanted to save the material of substance.

Is it ok to use dance games for any of the reasons above? Sure! Connection counts -- and so does fun. If that's the aim, it's a valid way to use games.

But if the phrase "time-waster" moves across your mind like a ticker tape every time you consider using a dance game in class, this where I want you to stop and RE-consider.

Games are not time-wasters, and if you choose games that align with the material in your lesson plan, you will be helping your dancers to absorb the material and understand concepts more fully.

Benefits of Play
Using aligned and targeted games in dance class can:
-apply dance technique and skills in a new way
-ignite excitement and engagement foster a greater student-to-teacher and peer-to-peer connection
-increase retention of concepts
-support innovation and creativity
-develop critical thinking
-reach different types of learners

Best Way To Game-ify Your Class
You one hundred percent are allowed to play games "just for fun" (let's all remind each other that fun is a good word). But to make the most of benefits listed above, you can think about how the dance games you choose support the learning objectives of your class.

Here are some questions you can ask, with some examples:

Does this game help review targeted skills or concepts?

EXAMPLE: Let's say that you want your elementary age tap class to better understand how many sounds are in the steps they are learning, so that when they are practicing, they can listen to their feet to be sure they are making all of the sounds and not just going through the motions.

A game like Tap Dance Chocolates would be a great choice here! It asks the students to classify and sort their foundational tap vocabulary by number of sounds (in a fun way!).

Can this game take the place of a traditional warm-up?

EXAMPLE: Let's say that you want your elementary age jazz class to get moving, to review the steps you have been working, and to dip their toes into improvisation.

A game like Love In Motion fits the bill! In it, the students are prompted to create their own dance movements to act out loving actions like "hug" or "handshake". The game also includes pre-made skill review combos as well as prompts to create their own mini phrases.

Does it help to put their artistry and creativity into practice?

EXAMPLE: Let's say that you have been emphasizing individuality and an emotional connection to their performance choreography in your middle school or high school lyrical or contemporary class.

A game like Conversation Heart Choreography would be a good tool to help them develop this! In this game the dancers are asked to layer three concepts -- a feeling, a movement type, and a body part that initiates the movement -- along with their known dance vocabulary, to create their own movement phrases in groups or individually.

Put It To The Test!
I challenge you to push past your inner critic and test out some games in your dance classroom this month. Play a learning-based game, and observe your dancers. I bet you will see smiles, collaboration, and a student who has learned to apply a skill effectively.

Create your own games, or snag one of my hundreds of digital download print-and-play games -- all between $5-$15.

shop dance games now

]]><![CDATA[3+ Ways to get thankful in dance class]]>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:25:04 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/3-ways-to-get-thankful-in-dance-classIt's November, and this time of year always reminds me to pay attention to what I am grateful for. Doing a gratitude practice as a part of dance class is a 2-for-1 -- it helps me to see the special moments in every class and it helps the students to step outside themselves too.

I created Dance Dance Hooray over 4 years ago as a way to share ideas and to celebrate a community of caring and encouraging dance teachers. This is why I work hard to make something for everyone.

Whether you can only take in my free content, or whether you are able to support me and purchase a done-for-you game or lesson plan, I thank you. All of my content are ideas, games, and lesson plans that will save you time and help your students connect to dance concepts in a meaningful way.

Thanksgiving mode activated.

I'm thankful for you!

]]><![CDATA[a not-so-scary way to plan halloween week for dance class!]]>Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:03:28 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/a-not-so-scary-way-to-plan-halloween-week-for-dance-classI love Halloween week in dance class for many reasons --- it provides a chance to create happy memories, it ignites imagination and creativity, and it reminds our students how dance can be both hard work and fun. But, I have found that if I don't have a concrete plan for the fun, the hyped-up energy can get out of hand!

This morning, I was taking some time to think through my classes for the week and planning which Halloween resources I am going to use for each class.

Then this occurred to me ------ why not share my exact plans with you?!

Here are the ways that I utilize the Dance Dance Hooray resources for each class and age group!

Parent-Tot and Creative Movement
I will follow the visual aids, follow-along songs, and Halloween themed exercises in my First Steps Framework Halloween Theme lesson plan.

Preschool Ballet, Tap, & Jazz Classes
I will be using my Hooray for Dance Notebook for ballet & jazz, the Halloween Theme. These are lesson plans with approximately 4-5 exercises and combos in each style. For tap, I will follow my Shake, Rattle, & Roll Skeleton Tap lesson plan for ages 3-5 and play the Boo! Rhythm Game using rhythm sticks.

Kindergarten & First Grade Tap Classes
I will continue my Shake, Rattle, & Roll Skeleton Tap lesson plan for ages 5-7, and add on to the mini tap combo we began to the Monster Mash song.

Kindergarten & First Grade Jazz Classes
Last week, I used the Halloween Super Stations cards for stretch & strength warm-up before we worked on our regular jazz class skills This week, I will use the Halloween Spooky Steps game to review our jazz skills in a Halloween-y way, and then we will put the 4 mini combos from Halloween Super Stations together to make a Halloween dance to a song that they choose!

2nd-3rd Grade Jazz Classes
First, I will review the jazz steps that they have been working in our first 6 weeks of jazz class. Then, I will review and add-on to our combo to the song Calling All The Monsters and take a video to share with their parents. Last, I will use the Halloween Spooky Steps character and traveling step cards, to go across the floor.

2nd-3rd Grade Tap Classes
I will do the first exercise from the Shake, Rattle, & Roll Skeleton tap lesson plan for ages 5-7, and then review all of our basic traveling and stationary steps. Then, we will play the Sticky Spiderweb Game - Tap Version and at the end of class, we will add on to our Purple People Eater tap combo.

4th-5th Grade Tap Classes
I will do a follow-along rhythm circle warm-up, trying to hit on all of the skills we have been working on thus far this year. Then, we'll play my FAVORITE game -- Audio Haunted House! Then, we will work on our Addams Family tap combo.

4th-5th Grade Jazz Classes
Since I love to encourage this age group to step outside of their comfort zone and to help develop their creativity, we will use the last half of the class to allow them to create some Halloween choreography. I will use the Witches' Dance Potion game as a way to help give them ideas on how to use the steps they know. But first -- we will do a collaborative warm-up with the Dance Trick Or Treat game!

Middle School Tap Classes
This age group has generally done the Audio Haunted House in previous years...and they always ask to do it again! We will spend about 10-15 min on learning about some tap history, and then I will ask them to create their own tap choreography, using the Clickity-Clackity Candy Corn game as a guide.

Middle School Jazz Classes & High School Tap Classes
We will continue with our normal class material, but first we'll use the Dance Trick Or Treat Game to warm-up. Then, I will ask them to create choreography using the Halloween Set The Scene game, which works with any style of dance. For the jazz classes, if we have time we will also explore movement initiation using the Do The Skeleton Dance!

Happy Halloween!

Want a free tap class activity? Click below!

]]><![CDATA[5 minutes of fall fun for dance class]]>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 18:02:41 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/5-minutes-of-fall-fun-for-dance-classI’m dropping in today with my favorite easy fall-themed dance class ideas, for all ages -- because a little fall fun goes a long way into making memories, spreading joy, and helping your dancers "fall" in love with dance even more!

In my 20+ years as a dance teacher, I have seen the way that the use of a prop can change the entire vibe of my class, for the better. Magically, the students become more engaged with what we are learning and they begin to make real connections with the hands-on manipulation of a prop.

This is true for dancers ages 2-7 years of age, but guess what? Even your older students benefit from the use of props, and the fall season is the perfect time to incorporate them. For older students, apply the ideas below to the more advanced steps and skills that you are working on in class.

All you need is 5 minutes or less within the course of your class to use some Fall Themed Fun to engage your dancers just a little bit more and create real learning connections.

Here are some of my favorite ways:

Use Fall Colors

Chances are, you have an assortment of fall colors in the dance you props you already have on hand at your studio. Props are a great way to feel the fun of fall with full-bodied learning!

With your dancers, sort scarves into fall colors, then one or more in the air and watch it float to the ground!
Push a beanbag with your foot doing tendu or rond de jambe
Jump over a pile of beanbag "leaves"
Using fall color poly dots, make a pathway for the dancers to follow, doing any step they are trying to master

Leaves

Decorative fabric or paper leaves are a magical prop! You can also substitute sheer scarves if you do not have any leaves on hand.

pile leaves or scarves on to your parachute and toss and shake them to work on control, teamwork, and listening
toss leaves into the air while jumping, hopping, skipping, and leaping to explore power and force

Pumpkins

Faux or foam pumpkins like these work so well for dance class! Or find a picture of a pumpkin online and print and make copies of it.

Chasse' or gallop while holding the pumpkin en avant
Jump or leap over the pumpkin
Roll the pumpkin along the floor, and roll on your knees and bottom to follow it

Be Like The Wind

Ribbons can help the dancers imagine being in a windy day or feel like a leaf moving in the breeze.

sway side to side with your ribbon to explore high and low
move like a leaf swirling in the wind
imagine the wind is pushing you to choose a pathway while you chasse’, tiptoe, or skip

Fall Dance Games and Themed Lesson Plans

One of my favorite ways to review or reinforce dance concepts and specific skills is through themed dance games, at the end or beginning of class.

Want a refresh to your current game and lesson plan library? Check these out!

Autumn Themed Dance Games

Autumn Themed Lesson Plans

Falling Leaves and Apple Trees Tap Lesson Plan for ages 3-5

Falling Leaves and Apple Trees Tap Lesson Plan for ages 5-7

]]><![CDATA[festive & inclusive holiday spirit in dance class -- part five, celebration!]]>Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:49:21 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/festive-inclusive-holiday-spirit-in-dance-class-part-five-celebration

COUNTDOWN CELEBRATION
Use the last week before winter break to do a New Year’s countdown! For your younger classes, put some scarves on top of your parachute and toss them in the air together while you countdown from ten. Be sure to shout Happy New Year! For your older classes, share your favorite moment from dance class so far this year.

UNWRAP THE FUN
Play a dance “Gifts & Giggles” game with your older students. Give each student 2 blank notecards. On one, they should write a favorite dance step. On the other, they should write a silly dance step. Mix the cards up and deal out one to every person and put the rest in the center. Don’t show your cards. On their turn, everyone can steal another person’s card or choose one from the middle. After you go around twice and every student has 2 cards, they must come up with 16 counts of movement that uses both steps on their card!

FREE HOLIDAY MAD LIBS
Download T’was the Night Before Dance Class to do as a class activity or to hand out to your students! Click the picture below!

LEARNING GAMES for ALL AGES and STYLES
The week leading up to winter break are the perfect opportunity to game-ify your classes! The use of games encourages critical thinking and recall of learned concepts.

Continued learning + creativity + fun = all the warm fuzzy feelings as your dancers head into winter break!

browse all winter holiday dance games & resources

]]><![CDATA[festive & inclusive holiday spirit in dance class - part four, Snow!]]>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:54:33 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/festive-inclusive-holiday-spirit-in-dance-class-part-four-snow

SNOWFLAKE WARM-UP
Do this quick warm-up in any class to get those muscles going! While seated or laying, pull knees into chest (snowball) then open to straddle with arms reaching (snowflake). Repeat 8X, then stand up. Jump apart with arms reaching to high corners (snowflake), then jump together and contract (snowball). Repeat 8X!

FREEZE AND MELT
Challenge your dancers' control and ability to fill the music, in any style class. Teach 32 counts of any combo or phrase. After they execute that, your dancers must reach, releve', or balance on 1 foot for 8 counts, then melt slowly to the floor for 16 counts. Then they must dance their way up for 8 counts and begin your phrase again!

WHAT'S YOUR SNOWMAN NAME
If you were a snowman, what would your name be? And what’s your signature step? Click the picture below to get your free printable Snowman Name worksheet. Use it during class or at the beginning of a camp to break the ice (pun intended!). As a group, figure out everyone’s snowman name and then practice the special steps together!

CRAFT STORE SNOW PROPS
From December through February, snow props are a dance teacher’s best friend! Look for foam snowflakes, snowman cut-outs, and yarn snowballs too. Use them in obstacle courses, parachute activities & more.

For immersive and imaginative lesson plans & games that bring SNOW to life - and use props to move important dance concepts forward - check out my winter dance resources!

]]><![CDATA[festive & inclusive holiday spirit in dance class - part three, Gingerbread!]]>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:34:31 GMThttps://www.dancedancehooray.com/blog/festive-inclusive-holiday-spirit-in-dance-class-part-three-gingerbread

CAN'T CATCH ME GAME
Students start on the floor, with their eyes closed. Teacher then tiptoes around the room and tap a few dancers on the shoulder. Those dancers jump up and do a traveling step (the teachers pretend to be “chasing” them and “catch” them with another tap on the shoulder). Then start again, choosing different kids for the next round!

COOKIE FOLLOW-ALONG SONGS
It takes a little digging, but you can find gingerbread theme action songs in your music apps. Follow the words with your own dance actions!

Gingerbread Man by The Kiboomers
Gingerbread Man Dance & Freeze by Jack Hartmann
Wobbly Man by Koo Koo (pretend to be a cookie crumbling)

COOKIE STORYTELLING
Read one of the many children’s books about the Gingerbread Man at the start of your dance class, and act it out with dance movements............OR
get your copy of my dance-along stories for preschool & early elementary age, which come with storyboards, movement, & review cards too!

BAKE IN THE LEARNING & ARTISTRY
By using stories & imagination, you help to reinforce the artistry and creativity that elevates dancers from athletes to athlete-artists. Dance games have the power to unlock individuality and imagination in your students, by providing cues and a roadmap to discover their own artistic voice! Create your own, or browse the inclusive winter holiday theme games on my site!

shop the inclusive holiday theme games & resources

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