Intensive Personal Training Program for Tap Dancers |
"Nothing is more personal than the path to excellence" could be the motto for this program. While our company offers several high-quality training programs, workshops and seminars, none offers the ultimate advantage that personal training offers. The very best way of reaching your full and true potential is by... Steppin' Up!
 | Why personal "coaching"?  One-on-one teaching and training isn't new in tap dance. As a matter of fact, one could say that it's THE way that tap should be taught, if one wants to be truthful to the traditions. Born in the southern parts of the United States as a direct product of slavery, tap dance has its roots in ancient African music and dance traditions that emphasized direct, personal, feedback-rich teaching. No weekly classes, seminars, workshops or even dance studios there! Instead, one would - and still does in some region of Africa - benefit from individualized, efficient, responsive, and highly interactive teaching (this has been going on for thousands of years, way before "interactive" was downgraded to a buzzword for modern technology...) Your training is entirely tailored to your needs. It's well known that one learns best and fastest in a private lesson setting, which is much easier since one gets, well, 100% attention from the instructor! Even with the best personal work ethics, it's very difficult, if not impossible, for a dancer to reach their full potential by just practicing on their own. That's why personal training can makes such a big difference. Training/coaching sessions are "intensive," that is, they are designed so that the student makes as much progress as possible - at any level - in a given amount of time. Working day after day has many advantages, not the least of which being that the student does not have time to forget - which happens more often than not with weekly lessons! Last but not least, Mr. Baker's considerable amount of experience means that your time will always be used in the most appropriate and productive way. |
| Who provides the training for your Intensive Personal Training Program for Tap Dancers?  Chris Baker, Artistic & Education Director of the company. |
| Who can benefit from "Steppin' Up"? Students who feel that group classes move too quickly or too slowly. Students who generally feel uncomfortable in group classes. In this Personal Training Program you only learn what you want or need to learn! Professional actors or dancers with little or no previous tap experience who need top notch training for a specific purpose (movie, show, etc.) Professional or aspiring-to-be-professional tap dancers. Any tapper who has the dedication and motivation to "step up" from their current level. |
| What does the training provide? Simply put, the truly extraordinary opportunity of studying one on one with one of the world's foremost authorities on tap dance. Chris Baker's credentials include:  Extensive professional performing experience (over 2,000 performances in career) and strong performing skills in several styles of tap (Mr. Baker has broken the "world tap speed record" numerous times and still performs such difficult steps as the 7-sounds shuffle with great ease.) Producing and directing major tap dance festivals, events and shows over the past twenty-plus years that have featured such legendary or leading artists as: Cassandra Baker, Bril Barrett, Ira Bernstein, Warren Berry (Berry Brothers,) Buster Brown, Eddie Brown, Joe Chvala, Heather Cornell, Steve Condos (Condos Brothers,) Willie Covan, Skip Cunningham, Anita Feldman, Savion Glover, C.B. Hetherington, Gregory Hines, Germaine Ingram, Stanley Kahn, Paul Kennedy, Jenny Lane, Henry LeTang, Frances Nealy, Gene Nelson, Harold and Fayard Nicholas (Nicholas Brothers,) Idella Reed, LaVaughn Robinson, Sandman Sims, Linda Sohl-Donnell, Pamela Thompson, Kirby Ward, Dorothy Wasserman, Sam Weber, Chester Whitmore, etc. A unique and versatile teaching career that has earned him a coveted "teacher's teacher" status. He has taught at over 200 locations and institutions worldwide and trained countless successful performers and teachers. He is also the Director of the American Tap Dance Institute's Teacher Training and Certification Program, the world's foremost training and certification program for professional tap dance teachers. An unparalleled track record as the Artistic and Education Director of the National Tap Ensemble, the most active among the three leading tap dance companies for over fifteen years running (the national tap dance company's wide range of high-quality programs have been attended by over 300,000 people since 1988.) Expertise in percussive dance flooring and safety-related issues. Mr. Baker is also a theater consultant who designs some of the safest and best-sounding tap dance floors to be found anywhere. Perhaps most importantly, a strong vision that has been quietly helping to take tap dance to the next level as an art and as a profession. Here are a few significant quotes about Chris Baker"...One of the leading tap professionals who will take tap into the future." Steve Condos, legendary stage and film tap star "Chris Baker has been a driving force in resurrecting tap dance as a major American art form. He is an outstanding advocate for tap in the United States. His work in founding the International Tap Association has been vital to the renewed interest in tap dance. He is also a very gifted performer who has the unique ability to teach tap to persons of all ages." Charles "Honi" Coles, legendary tap dancer "Unselfishly gives all of his time and energy to share with other young artists throughout the world what he is learning from the ones who have shaped the art of tap dancing. Chris Baker has been instrumental in creating a positive link between younger dancers and those of my generation. I am really proud of him for his accomplishments and dedication." Fayard Nicholas, film and tap dance legend, Tony Award recipient "Chris Baker encouraged me to re-enter the world of tap dancing... he has a promising career ahead of him and is one of the most talented young dancers I have encountered... fantastic work!" Gene Nelson, Hollywood choreographer/dancer/director "Baker assisted me in obtaining interviews for publication with [tap masters] Eddie Brown and Gregory Hines... He is a person with high ethical standards and immense dedication to the tap dance community." Megan Haungs, Managing Editor, International Tap Association Journal "Chris Baker was instrumental in getting me started on Tap! by connecting me with my first group of interviewees. He is one of the main players in the modern tap dance movement." Rusty Frank, Author, TAP!, The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and their Stories "Registered as the evening's most promising newcomers [to the Los Angeles area]. Baker cut loose in an intricately ornamented solo that had him sliding, leaping, hopping, working the stage's circular stairs, proving that jazz tap loses nothing in the translation." Shelly Baumsten, Los Angeles Times "Tapper Chris Baker... proved he has mastered the dazzling, gravity-defying tricks of his trade... He is widely recognized for helping to organize the tap community here and across the country." Jody Leader, Los Angeles Daily News "...Baker pulled out every dazzling slide, turn and rapid-fire combination in the book... He's a technical virtuoso, produces a fine, clear sound...shone in a variety of numbers that made use of contemporary and traditional steps and sounds." Pamela Sommers, The Washington Post "Put him on the boards...and he communicates in bright sparks and lightning bolts." Anne Pierce, Museum Arts "Still receiving evaluation forms in the mail raving about your workshops... both those with a background in tap and those with no background were equally excited by your classes. Everyone was impressed with the way you took a whole roomful of people and got them dancing so quickly -and loving it. You did a great job of making links with those [contra dancing and clogging] dance forms. I hope you had as much fun as we did because we had a great time." Joel Bluestein, President, Folklore Society of Greater Washington "Thanks for organizing a sensational tap conference. It was a great opportunity to see some of the best tap dancers in the business, and a rare pleasure to take a master class with Gregory Hines." Debra Sternbach, Director, Fascinating Rhythm Productions, San Francisco, CA "Thank you so much for all the incredibly hard work you did putting on the Los Angeles Tap Festival. You did such a fabulous job!." Marda Kirn, Director, Colorado Dance Festival "It was a thrill to work with you and watch you 'tap out' the magic." Gina DiMedio, concert pianist "Whether teaching through our outreach programs or as a part of our outstanding faculty, Chris Baker has brought extensive knowledge and spirited enthusiasm to his approach to "foot percussion". We have all come to a much deeper understanding of tap as a form of music as well as a dance form. His dedication and spirit are reflected in his generosity of time and talent to benefit the school on numerous occasions." Jean Kellogg, Dean, Levine School of Music, Washington, DC You will find a few pictures of Chris Baker here, and more career info here and throughout this web site..Mr. Baker is one of the very few leading tap dance masters to truly be "the whole package." His level of expertise, knowledge of the field, and passion for his work are of the highest caliber (fortunately and refreshingly his ego is not.) His teaching style could be described as demanding, but relaxed and very caring. Studying privately with him can result in huge improvements for the dedicated student, pre-professional or professional performer. You will find a few pictures of Mr. Baker at work by clicking here or on the link at the top of this page. Want to learn easy ways to do pick ups in all directions? How to do a 5-sound wing? How to do a 3,4,5,6 or 7-sound shuffle? How to change rhythms and phrasing at will? How to feel more comfortable with Improv’? How to deal with stage fright? No problem, all you have to do is ask! Chris is famous for his ability to help tappers "fix" their problems, going as far as undoing and rebuilding fundamentals that were taught incorrectly to the dancer years or decades ago. If you are seeking more than just steps, here's a sample list of things he's worked on with students in the past: Correcting bad habits that hinder the student's progress. Mr. Baker is famous for an uncanny ability to analyze a dancer's "problem" and provide sensible, result-oriented methods for fixing these pesky problems. Helping a tapper rehabilitate from injury through properly conducted strengthening rhythm exercises and design a new warm-up to help prevent reoccurrence of the same type of injury. Developing a strong technical foundation that allows the dancer to perform in any style of tap. Working on correct posture, alignment, and breathing patterns to help professional dancers enhance and keep their stamina during shows. Giving feedback on existing choreography/composography and working on improving the piece, the way it's performed, or both. Improving time-keeping and all aspects of rhythmic proficiency. Developing and strengthening improvisation skills. Teaching the finer points of some of tap dance's vast repertoire, from many versions of the "great classics" (Time Steps, Shim Sham Shimmy, BS Chorus, etc.) to works originally created by such legendary masters as Eddie Brown, Chuck Green Baby Laurence, Bill Robinson, etc. Mr. Baker also enjoys re-creating numbers originally performed in movies and theatrical productions. Providing feedback and assistance to help the dancer develop her own creative skills and choreography. Analyzing and improving stage presence and performing skills (and rekindling a performer's motivation in the process.)Benefits Summary Steppin' Up can be a huge help for tap dancers in one of two ways: Personal Improvement Best for those who do not want to tap dance professionally but would like to improve their skills, just for the satisfaction and the joy of being a better dancer. Professional Development Working one on one with Mr. Baker can be a goldmine for semi-professional and professional tap dancers seeking to advance their career. Not only does the performer get some of the best training to be found anywhere, she/he will be privy to some of most insightful information to be found in the profession. Steppin' Up can also be a logical pathway to prepare for some other company programs for which the dancer may not be ready yet, and to receive possible consideration for joining professional companies, including the NTE cast. Upon request, a Certificate of Completion is provided for Intensive Personal Training sessions that are one week or longer. Letters of Recommendation are also considered when appropriate. |
| Where is the training held? Facilities and schedules permitting, classes are held in Hagerstown, Maryland, a small and friendly town located 2 hours west of downtown Baltimore and 2 hours northwest of downtown Washington, DC, the United States' capital (see travel section of the links page for maps.) The advantages of training in Hagerstown are many: - Mr. Baker lives nearby, which means the student does not have to cover any extra travel costs. - On average, hotel/motel rates are less than a third of those found in a big city like New York or Los Angeles (an extensive list can be provided to out-of-town students.) The average savings represent over $150 PER DAY! - Studio space is also considerably less expensive than in big cities. In addition, we have secured preferential rates at a local facility which offers good floors for tap dancing. |
| Are other locations possible? Requests for training in any other location will be considered, if the student is prepared to cover all studio, travel/lodging/food and other such costs (of course, travel costs are considerably reduced if Mr. Baker is already in the student's area. Make sure you join the Tap Network if you want to be automatically notified of such upcoming opportunities.) |
| What is the length of each session? Anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. A session's duration depends on many factors, including of course Mr. Baker's professional schedule and the student's available time and budget. More importantly, practicing between classes is strongly encouraged so that the student may fully benefit from each class (some extra studio time may be available at preferential rates.) But generally we recommend a minimum of one week of training (at least 15 hours of actual private classes over 5 days, plus another 15 hours spent practicing) for significant results. |
| Is your pricing based on how experienced or talented a dancer is? No. Fees are based on time (per hour) and on a sliding scale (the higher the number of hours, the lower the cost per hour) not on the student's level. |
| Do you offer semi-private classes? Although semi-private classes are obviously more lucrative than private ones, the very nature of Steppin' Up is to offer optimized training that is totally customized to a dancer's needs. Therefore, Mr. Baker will only consider teaching semi-private classes IF dancers are deemed to be at levels that are identical or very similar. The maximum number of students for a semi-private class is 4. |
| I'm just curious, how much does your company charges for these coaching sessions? We will respond to any inquiry that shows legitimate interest and a true will/need to improve one's tap skills and knowledge (getting a dollar figure just for the sake of curiosity isn't indicative of real dedication...) More importantly, given that each student is different and that each training program is customized, there just couldn't be a single rate that would apply to everyone. |
| Do you accept non-American dancers and does one have to speak English? Yes, we accept foreign dancers. Speaking English is a plus, but definitely not a must. Remember, rhythm is a universal language and your feet will be doing most of the talking! |
| Is this training tax-deductible? We are not tax experts but it is well known in this profession that what one spends for continuing education or higher education is often deductible: - If you are self-employed or if you are salaried with another job and teach tap "on the side" and therefore report this income on a Schedule C form, take a look at that form and you will see that there are several categories where you can file your expenses for travel, meals, supplies, etc. as well as a line for all other professional expenses that cannot be categorized otherwise. Most of what one spends for a TTP session can indeed be reported there. - If you teach tap and are on salary, ask your employer if they have some kind of budget for continuing education. Many employers do and will actually pay for all or part of your training. Some will also cover travel and other expenses. All of this is very easy to figure out if you use a tax preparation software program like TaxCut or TurboTax (the "Deluxe" version of these programs typically includes all IRS publications as well as expert advice on all kinds of tax-related subjects.) As always, make sure you talk to your tax advisor and/or contact the Internal Revenue Service if you have any questions. |
| I'm seriously interested. How do I go about scheduling my Steppin' Up training? Email John, Special Programs Coordinator. Indicate the actual dates that would work best for you in order of preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.) and describe your tap background and situation in as many details as possible (don't forget to indicate your level and briefly describe your goals and expectations as a tapper.) Based on your situation, John will send you detailed information on this program. He will also let you know if Chris believes that additional assessment tools are needed. The goal is to get a good picture of where you are as a dancer so that we may in turn design a training program that helps you meet your own, personal needs and objectives. |
