Senior Tap uses the gift of dance to meet holistic needs and create community ties, activities will introduce Tap Dancing to new members and serve as a refresher course to others who have previous tap experience. Class will also be given materials on Famous Tap Dancers and the History of Tap. It will also have a music appreciation component that will introduce different music styles such as Gospel, Jazz, Big Bands, R & B, and Latin. 

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Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia show that seniors improve their aerobic ability, Lower body muscle, endurance strength, balance, agility and gait through dancing. A study led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. funded by the National Institute on Aging and published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the mental challenge of following complex dance steps and moving in time with the rhythm lowers the risk of Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia. Dance increases both walking speed and balance which are two major risk factors for falling.

 

 Persons in wheel chairs are also invited, for the program will also benefit upper body strength and promote lower body movement.  During the Music appreciation component, we will have Sing-along’s, Karaoke, and Name That Tune. This will increase verbal ability and improve and stabilize cognitive functioning.

 

Dancers need to be healthy, so information on Health Habits for Body and Mind will be shared in classes, also opportunities for socialization and spiritual engagement.

 

The class will help develop self-confidence and self–esteem in a stimulating environment.  It will also improve sensitivity, understanding, appreciation and consideration for others both for their similarities and differences. Stanford University stated that exercise is the closest thing to the fountain of youth.  Why not exercise in a cultural arts program?

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