Foot Notes student group takes tap dance to next level

Foot Notes Tap Dance Group is dedicated to sharing the passion of tap dancing.

Started by senior Sara Kaufman when she was a sophomore, Foot Notes is the culmination of three women’s hobby.

Kaufman approached seniors Lillian Feldman-Hill and Kelsey Sheppard about the club. None are dance majors.

Feldman-Hill is a senior majoring in telecommunications. Currently a general member of the club, she has served on the executive boards in past years.

“It’s the only tap-related club on campus,” she said. “Tap is such a small, close community, so it’s a great way to meet other tappers.”

Foot Notes meets every other Saturday in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, according to sophomore secretary Amanda Tober. A new technique is taught at every meeting.

Sheppard, majoring in theater and drama, is the club’s artistic director.

“It’s really a collaborative effort,” she said. “We all take turns teaching at meetings.”

Though not a dance major, Sheppard has been dancing for 17 years. She has studied ballet, jazz and hip-hop but says tap is probably her favorite.

Tober joined Foot Notes last year but has been tapping since she was three years old.

“I’m in the club with another girl in my sorority, so it’s been fun,” she said.

Feldman-Hill said the club is filled with a variety of skill levels although all the members have had some experience with tap dancing.

Feldman-Hill has been dancing most of her life.

“Ballet was never really my thing,” she said. “But tap is just so rhythmic. I plan on it being a part of my future at least as a hobby.”

Foot Notes usually hosts a “master class” each year where a tap dancer comes in from a place like Chicago to teach. However, the master class may not happen this year.

There has been more focus on training the upcoming executive board as the current one is soon to graduate, Feldman-Hill said.

“I love to tap, and there’s not a large community here for it,” Sheppard said. “We’re really a bunch of rhythmic junkies.”