Tap Dance

“I started tap for the first time as an adult last year (30’s)! I wear leggings and the dance school’s t-shirt (any t-shirt will do). I ended up getting Mary Jane tap shoes after my trial lesson to continue (my feet were too big to fit any second hand shoes the school had on hand). I was so nervous about starting with zero experience, as my dance background has always been ballet. It took me a long while to get the hang of tap dancing, especially the force of my feet on the floor (when I’m so used to soft feet on the floor) but my teacher and everyone in the class were so supportive and encouraging.”

“When I get there, the studio is packed, teenagers coming in and out of the classes in big groups. Immediately I have to rush into the bathroom due to a small anxiety attack. I throw up, consider running back to my car, but i hype myself up. I eventually find the courage to go into class. I walk into the classroom, it’s packed. 15 people, not including me. They tell us to line up. Already I start sweating and wanting to leave. They instruct us on how to do the moves, and that everyone was going to go across the floor one at a time. When it was my turn I politely ask if I can sit out. The teacher is super nice so she lets me. The mix of the loud tap noises, loud music, and room full of people triggered my panic attack. I slowly sit down on the floor in the corner, I start crying. I do it silently as I don’t want to disrupt class. The attack lasted about 20 minutes, then I participated in the end of class.”