Instructor Q+A            
 
Name: Jessica
 
Hometown: Steelton, PA
 

Tap Pup since 2006
 
How long have you been tapping? 7 years

What was your first dance school?  
I started dancing at the age of 4 at the Forry Garret Dance Studio (Harrisburg Dance Conservatory) in Steelton, PA.

 
Who is your favorite tap dancer?

Gene Kelly will always be my favorite tap dancer – he’s so dreamy! However, as a little girl I loved the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby and was just obsessed with Vera Ellen (She’s the skinny, mini blonde that taps her foot a mile a minute in the “choreography” routine.) I used to dream that I was her dancing with Danny Kaye. I just loved watching her dance. To me she epitomizes classic Hollywood glamour.   

 
What is your favorite thing about teaching Tap Pups?

My favorite thing about teaching Tap Pups is seeing the excitement and joy they get when they’ve finally nailed down a step they’ve been working on for weeks and weeks. These ladies put their heart and soul into learning how to tap dance, which for some is fulfilling an aspiration they’ve had ever since they were little girls. And to be apart of accomplishing their goal, for me, is truly an honor.

 
What is your best advice for a brand new Tap Pup?

The best advice I have for all new Tap Pups is DON’T GIVE UP! I’ve seen a lot of ladies in their first two or three weeks of class, breakdown and get frustrated towards not being able to pick it up fast enough. But the thing they have to remember is, they’re here because they want to be here. For many, this may be the one hour they have to themselves. So leave the frustration and aggravation of every day life at the door – be in the moment and just have FUN!

 
What does Happiness Through Tap mean to you?  

Happiness through Tap means that when I put my shoes on – everything else in the world doesn’t seem to matter. The big presentation I have the next day or worrying about what to cook for dinner that night doesn’t exist when I’m wearing my tap shoes. For me, dancing is a release of emotion. And taking class with Vicki is the time where I can escape for just one hour and totally live in the moment and do something that I love to do with all my heart – dance.