INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE NETWORK 

                                              "Tap Dancers United" 

                                                                                                                                    
Do you enjoy the wonderful rhythms produced by tap dancers or practitioners of other great traditions such as flamenco, Irish step dance, hand percussion, swing dancing, jazz dance, blues, African dance, tango, Lindy Hop... anything that has a groovy pulse? Then this network is for you!

The International Tap Dance Network, a.k.a. " Tap Dancers United," brings together from all around the planet hundreds of tap dancers, "rhythm aficionados" and people who believe in percussive music and dance as a universal language. Membership is FREE. It doesn't matter where on earth you are located (ITDN has over 2,000 members on all 5 major continents) and anyone is welcome to join!  

Why is the national tap dance company dedicating part of its web site - and a good deal of staff resources - to this Tap Dance Network? Because we believe that tap and rhythm can truly bring together people of different cultures and origins. Hosting and supporting this network is just one more way for us to express a very simple and very deep belief that our artists practice every day: the arts, and especially tap dance, do much more than entertaining people, they are simply the best way to promote friendship, respect and peace all over the world.

 

Click here to translate this page to and from English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

 

 Member benefits 

ALL MEMBERS
The following benefits are available FREE OF CHARGE to ALL members:

- You're part of one of the grooviest networks around. This Network is full of cool, smart and caring people!

- You receive "ITDN News," an  newsletter that is provided by email to ITDN members only. While this newsletter is only sent from time to time (on an "ad-hoc" basis) it often contains information that is critical to your membership and sometimes features scoops or "special stuff" on tap dance that simply can't be found anywhere else.

- You establish a special connection with the USA's national tap dance company (NTE).

- You receive PERSONAL notification via email of any upcoming NTE event in your area, straight to your inbox, right in the comfort of your home or office.

- Each membership form gives you the option of signing up quickly and conveniently for the FREE Tap Dance Bulletin, which is delivered monthly right to your inbox via email and is the world's most popular tap dance newsletter with over 3,000 (three thousand) readers worldwide. Unsubscribing can be done easily at any time if for some reason one does not wish to receive the TDB any longer.

- At NTE and other tap events, you will have opportunities to meet and network with many other cool people, including some who might live very close to where you live. A great way to exchange info, talk tap and even perhaps plant some seeds for some future jam sessions!

Budget permitting we are hoping the ITDN will soon be able to act as a clearinghouse for tap information. Members will be able to exchange tips, URLs (web sites) about members' activities, info on shows, programs, classes, recitals, etc.

CATEGORY 1 MEMBERS
If you are currently a tap dance student, performer, fan, tapper's parent, assistant-teacher (for less than 3 years,) former tapper, etc. (i.e. if you are not a teacher, a studio owner, a tap dance program director, etc.) fill out FORM 1 below. Please see above for membership benefits.

CATEGORY 2 MEMBERS
If you are currently a tap dance teacher or if you have been an assistant-teacher for three years or more (yes, you can also still be a tap student as well, one never stops to learn!) click here to fill out FORM 2.

You will enjoy all the Category 1 membership benefits, plus:

- Special information or announcements that are only relevant to tap dance teacher or to people who have been an assistant-teacher for more than three years.

- Upcoming opportunities for you to give your input as a teacher as to where our profession should go.

- More to come...

CATEGORY 3 MEMBERS
If you are currently a dance studio/dance school/performing arts school owner or a tap dance program director for an organization, school, institution, etc. (yes, you can also still be a tap student as well, one never stops to learn!) and if you are interested in establishing a special partnership with the National Tap Ensemble by hosting some of its educational programs at your facility or in your town, click here to fill out FORM 3.

You will enjoy all the Category 1 and 2 membership benefits, plus:

- Special announcements that are only relevant to your status/job as a studio owner or tap dance program director. This includes opportunities and information that are not available anywhere else, or will be available at a much later date.

- If you are interested in hosting workshops, master classes, "special interest" classes or any other such educational programs while NTE artists are in your area, you will get priority notification when an opportunity arises. ITDN "Teachers & Organizers" are the ONLY people who receive this info!
Why would you/should you care? While touring the world, NTE artists are often approached by dance studio owners, dance department directors, local tap coordinators and promoters, jazz promoters and directors, etc. who would have loved to take advantage of NTE's presence in their region to schedule master classes, workshops, etc. [Aside from savings in travel costs that can amount to several thousand dollars for faraway countries, hosting classes featuring one or several performers from the national company is a very exciting event and a great morale booster]. Most of the time however, they just didn't know how to contact the company or they didn't get got the information on time so it's now too late to organize anything... Such frustrations are a thing of the past for ITDN Category 3 members! You usually given plenty of time to decide what kind of classes or programs you'd like to schedule, organize everything and spread the word around their community. The NTE office and web team will even help you publicize the event if necessary. Please note that having shown interest in booking NTE artists does not mean that you are obligated to do so. But it does mean that you will be given the opportunity to do it before anyone else. In other words, YOU always get the SCOOP!

- IMPORTANT! You now ALSO invite NTE cast members directly at the dates of your choosing instead of whenever you receive a notice of an upcoming tour in their area. This feature is of course "schedule-permitting" but the sooner you place your request, the greater the chances that the dates and cast members can be reserved for you!  This option is of course ONLY available to ITDN Category 3 members. Simply email John, the program coordinator and let him know the dates and types of programs you'd be interested in (master classes, workshops, private coaching, choreography/composography, judging, special programs, etc.)

- After hosting at least one NTE event, your studio/organization/university, etc. may be eligible to benefit from the national tap dance company's  groundbreaking Arts Plus partnership program.

- More to come...

 

As the network grows its purpose and rules are often revised and sometimes redefined. We always welcome your input. Many of the benefits and features above have been suggested by members themselves! 

 

 Who are the members of the ITDN? 
So far members include tap dancers, tap teachers, percussionists, dance studio owners, representatives of educational and cultural institutions in tap and related fields, students, professional performers as well as  self-proclaimed "rhythm nuts."
Tap dancers unite!

ITDN members come from:

ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA BELGIUM BERMUDA BRAZIL CANADA CHINA COLOMBIA CZECH REPUBLIC ESTONIA FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY GHANA GREECE HONG KONG HUNGARY

INDIA ISRAEL ITALY JAMAICA JAPAN LATVIA MALAYSIA MEXICO NEW ZEALAND NIGERIA PANAMA PERU PHILIPPINES POLAND PUERTO RICO RUSSIA SCOTLAND

SINGAPORE SLOVAK REPUBLIC SLOVENIA SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN SURINAME SWEDEN SWITZERLAND TAIWAN THAILAND THE NETHERLANDS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TURKEY UKRAINE UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES VENEZUELA ZIMBABWE

Number of countries in ITDN:  52
Number of members in ITDN:  3312

[Last updated: September 2009]

 Are there any strings attached? Any "small print" anywhere? Any hidden fees? 

Nope, none! Basic membership is free and we hope to be able to keep it that way as long as possible. Offering this free service does however cost NTE a lot of money in terms of staff and server resources, so we ask that each member considers:

1) Joining as a "SmartSavers Club Member" (lots of perks are included with these memberships, see details above.)

and/or

2) Making a tax-deductible donation once a year, as a way of showing that she or he is not just interested in taking (receiving free and useful information, discounts, free services, etc.) but also giving. Our funding from state and other institutions is very small and it has gotten even worse lately. Even small donations go a long way towards keeping the company alive and such things as the ITDN free. GIVE BACK A LITTLE AND HELP US CONTINUE OFFERING THIS WONDERFUL FREE SERVICE TO THE WORLD TAP COMMUNITY!
 

Important notes from the staff

1 - READ THIS!
We have noticed that a fairly large number of membership forms have to be discarded (sad and perfectly avoidable, but true.) Why? Because some people enter information that is full of errors. Please note that while the data you provide is checked for accuracy, we do NOT have the time or resources to contact people who have provided incorrect info, such as a non-working email address or an incomplete street address (American members should simply check their utility bill or bank statement to find out what their CORRECT, COMPLETE street address is. The US Postal Service does NOT deliver incorrectly addressed mail anymore since changes have been implemented after the Fall 2001 anthrax and other threats. This type of mail gets returned or trashed by USPS.) It is YOUR responsibility to type ACCURATE information in each box of the forms below. Failing to do so will result in your records being automatically DELETED from both the ITDN email list and the main mailing list for regular mail and your membership being terminated - even if you are a "SmartSavers Tap Dance Club" member - as we have no way of reaching you!

2 - As mentioned above, at the membership's request we are now providing an easy way to automatically subscribe your email address to the popular Tap Dance Bulletin. Simply use the default option on the form. Note that doing so constitutes an official request for subscription on your part (the staff will do the rest and make sure your email address is placed on the list.) If you ever need to unsubscribe (i.e. if you wish to stop receiving the Bulletin) it's very easy, please follow the instructions given at the bottom of the latest Bulletin issue you have received.

 

 How to join 
Just take a few minutes to accurately fill out the ONE membership form that most closely matches who you are and what you do  and you're done!

 

 CATEGORY 1 MEMBERSHIP
Form 1 below must be used ONLY by tappers, fans, tapper's parents*, assistant-teachers for less than 3 years, former tappers or any tap "enthusiasts" who are interested in attending shows, master classes, workshops, seminars, conferences, special projects, etc. featuring cast members from the national tap dance company, guest artists, etc.  in their region. Once you become an ITDN member, you will automatically be notified of such events. This service is entirely FREE.

You should NOT fill out Form 1 if you are a tap teacher, studio owner, tap program director, etc. Instead you should fill out Form 2 or Form 3, whichever is most relevant.
  

INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE NETWORK
FORM 1
CATEGORY 1 MEMBERSHIP

Concerned about providing the information that is "required" below? As stated in our privacy policy,
any and all personal information you provide is kept STRICTLY confidential and is not sold to anyone.

NOTE: Please use the "comments" box at the bottom of the form for information that doesn't fit anywhere else or if you'd like to make suggestions about the Network. Thanks so much for your input!

Membership status  [required]

M1 - I am a brand new member, I had never filled out this form before.
M2 - I am already on your membership list (I had used this page/form to join) but some of my contact info (email address, phone number or mailing address, etc.) has changed - or - I would like to update/upgrade my membership to join the ITDN "SmartSavers Tap Dance Club." Please update your database.
M3 - I had previously filled out another form by mistake. Please delete that info from your database and enter me on your list as a new Category 1 member.
Make SURE that you submit a new membership form and check the M2 button when your email address or street address changes. Bouncing email addresses and returned mail result in all info being deleted from the database and membership being revoked. You would then also become unable to receive ITDN discounts or notification of ANY upcoming event!

Personal Contact Information

Email Address [required] 

I wish to receive the free, monthly Tap Dance Bulletin via email at the email address above. I understand that I may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions given at the bottom of each issue:  Yes  No

Last Name [required]    First Name [required] 

Correct Mailing Address as approved/recognized by your national postal service
and bank or credit card company [required]

COUNTRY  [required] 

Telephone, Home [required] 

Your Age [required] 

Your own web site (if you have one)

Your estimated knowledge and skills level in tap dance

Not sure about your level?  Click here! 
Non-tapper (fan)    Level 1 (absolute beginner)    Level 2 (beginner)    Level 3 (low intermediate)    Level 4 (intermediate)    Level 5 (advanced)   Level 6 (pre-professional)   Level 7 (professional)

What you do as a tapper  [required] 

  Tap Dance Student for years
  Parent of young tapper(s). Name & age of young tapper(s):
 
  Tap Assistant Teacher for  years (IMPORTANT! if you have been doing this for 3 years or more you must use Form 2 to join)
  Studios or dance schools you attend: you may list several, please enter their full address(es) and/or web site(s) if at all possible

  Professional Tap Dance Performer (this means that you earn your living as a tap dancer) for  years, 
currently working in the following show(s) or companies 

Retired (former) Professional Tap Dance Performer (this means that you earned your living as a tap dancer) for  years, 
was working in the following show(s) or companies 

Your professional activity or rhythm-related hobby, or hobbies  

Your reason(s) for joining the International Tap Dance Network
You may enter up to five reasons, by order of importance [required]

Comments, suggestions about the International Tap Dance Network
Note: do NOT use this form for anything else than the ITDN as this form is not distributed to the entire staff but to a computer and database managed by one staff member. Use instead the Contact Page, or any appropriate form on this web site.

Recommended by

Are you joining the ITDN at the recommendation of an existing ITDN member? Please enter her or his name, State, City, Country, (and email address if at all possible) here. Thanks!
For example: Joan Smith - TX, San Antonio, USA, username@yahoo.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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STOP! Take a minute now to go back to the top of this page and verify all the info you have entered. Thanks!
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By typing "YES" in this box I certify that the information I have provided on this membership form is complete, accurate and truthful. I agree to notify the ITDN staff by email if my email address changes. I understand that ITDN would be unable to send me emails about Special ITDN Discounts or notification of ANY upcoming tap event if my email address bounces. [Required]                    Date [Required] 
Re-enter your email address here for verification 

Click the SUBMIT button ONCE. You should then see a page with a short, automatic message ("Your form has been properly submitted") that confirms that your form went though. If you do not, clicking the button again will not help! The servers may simply be busy and we recommend that you submit your form at a later time. Your order is processed through a secure server and your can safely use this form. If you receive a SERVER ERROR message, follow the directions given at the very bottom of this page.

         

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I'm in college right now and I'd like to join your network but I will be graduating soon and my email address will not be good for much longer. What should I do?
   The easiest thing to do is to get yourself one of those free email addresses with Yahoo, Netscape, Juno, Hotmail, etc. Most allow you to check and answer your email from any computer in the world so they are quite convenient!
   

2. I am interested in having some of your dancers teach at my studio. I filled out the form months ago. I just received a ITDN notice that there will be master classes at another studio 30 miles away. Why was I not notified of this tour?
   Nothing personal here. We checked and it seems that you mistakenly filled out Form 1 instead of Form 2. Fill out a new form 2, indicate in the "Comments" box that you'd like to be moved to the "Organizers" database and the next time you will receive advance notice along with everyone else. Meanwhile, why not going to the master classes with your students and getting to know the other tappers there! That's what this Network is all about!
    

3. I filled out the ITDN form over a year ago. My friend tells me that there was a master class last week but I'm a bit upset because I never received any email about it. Can you explain?  
   Your name is not in the database so there are two possibilities here:
   A - If you did receive a "Your form has been properly submitted" message, your form was received by the server but chances are pretty good that you failed to fill out some of the required information, like your email address, city or zip code (postal code for foreigners), in which case the computer automatically discarded your form. Fill out a new one and make sure you enter everything correctly!  
   B - Your email address has changed or was incorrectly entered. In this case, the announcement WAS sent to you but could not be delivered properly. In other words, either someone else or no one received it. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ITDN MEMBERS TO NOTIFY US OF EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES. If they don't let us know, we just can't get the info to them! Here again, the solution is to fill out a new form and make sure you enter everything correctly. But hey, doing so just  takes a few minutes! 
   

4. I filled out a ITDN form several years ago. I just went back to the web page and noticed that there are now two forms. Will this have any impact on my membership?
   It might. We tried to notify all members when the change occurred and also made the announcement in several issues of the Tap Dance Bulletin but it's possible that some people might have been left out. We would suggest that you take a few minutes to fill out a new form as the old database has been deleted. Also, we highly recommend that ITDN members subscribe to the Tap Dance Bulletin, since it is our primary vehicle for informing the tap dance community at large. The Bulletin is sent every month whereas the ITDN Newsletter is only sent out on an ad hoc basis.
   

5. I just received a notice about tap master classes in my "area" in a couple months, but I live in New Mexico and those classes are in California! 
   We now regularly email notices to a ITDN members from the state where the event is held AS WELL AS neighboring states. This is a change that was actually made at members' request. You see, it's not uncommon to see some real passionate tappers drive or fly pretty far away to take a workshop. We just want to make sure that no one feels left out.
   

6. I am an organizer in the Tap Dance Network and I would like to set up something in my area but I'm not sure what kind of turnout I would get. Can you help me to publicize things and make sure I don't loose any money?
   We sure can. You will actually be given the option of having info about the event you sponsor published on this web site at no extra cost to you. The site gets over 30,000 visitors per month so this should definitively help. Remember also that one of the contract options is a percentage-based arrangement, which means that no matter the turnout you will not loose your shirt!
    

7. I want to invite someone from your company to teach at my studio but I don't want to wait to receive a touring notice. Is it possible for me to choose my own dates??
   It certainly is. When the Network started out this wasn't possible, but we have changed our booking system and it's now very easy. All you have to do is send an email to John, the program coordinator and provide as many specifics as possible (dates in order of preference, what kind of master classes or workshops you'd like, levels for classes, preferred artist, airports where you can pick people up, etc.) The earlier you get in touch, the more chances you have to get the dates you picked. Note that it's VERY important that Part B of your membership form was filled completely when you joined, as John will need that information to complete the booking process.
    

8. I am already a SmartSavers Club member and I wonder how high the savings can go and would they be just for us or for anything who visits your site. Can you fill me in?
   Such sales are always "one-time only" on the available stock (i.e. they do not occur on a regular basis as they might do with merchants in the for-profit world.) . They are NOT available to the public. The discount can be as high as 30%, AND SOMETIMES MUCH MORE. SmartSavers Tap Club members with their membership in good standing are notified of these sales via email. Occasionally, there may also be special discounts and other perks on our tap programs too.
   
   There is no set timetable for any of these specials, just watch your email inbox!

If you have any other question or suggestion about the ITDN or if you wish to terminate your membership, please contact our staff