To The Beat Dance Company:

Have you ever had a bond with something to the point that it’s on your mind 24/7?! Everything that I do in life seems to connect with this object in one way, shape, or form. For most people this bond would be with a person, but for me it’s with a pair of tap shoes!

It all started with my first tap class at age two. (Snapshot #1) I remember pulling the shiny black shoes from my light pink dance bag and banging the taps together to make the “clickity” sound. I knew one day that if I stuck with it I would be able to make all kinds of sounds with my feet actually in the shoes. (Snapshot #2) Around the age of seven my parents bought me my first “real” pair of tap shoes (not the shiny ones, but real leather tap shoes). The excitement rushed through my body like a kid on a sugar high! All I wanted to do was put them on and go to dance class. Before I could do that though, I had to take the packaging out of both shoes. Trying my hardest not to make a single scratch on the fresh, new, jet black leather, I carefully took out the first shoes inserts then slowly made my way to the second one. (Snapshot #3)After that I had my dad tighten the screws on the shiny new taps! It was then that I realized tap was more than just hobby for me; it was a passion and something that would stay with me forever.

Throughout the next few years I had to get another pair of tap shoes because my feet grew. (Sketch Place)At the age of fourteen “Santa” brought me my favorite present of all time! I could not wait to open up my boxes Christmas morning and find a fresh new pair of taps waiting for me! These were not just any old tap shoes, they were professional tap shoes that had to be made in Hawaii then sent to my house. I had finished opening all of my presents except for one; I was saving the best for last. Sure enough when opened up the box I found my very own pair of professional tap shoes! I tried on the stiff pair of shoes and walked around the house trying to break them in a little bit. Noticing that these tap shoes had more weight than the last pair, I had been told to do some ankle workouts in order to keep my legs/feet high during my intense two minutes and thirty seconds onstage. Nothing can compare to the crisp, hollow sounds of the new taps striking across the smooth black marley that was plastered to the stage floor. That is one moment in a dancers life that they will never forget. (Sketch Person/Object) Tapping has helped me through musicals, performing/speaking in front of large audiences, and even school related groups such as Soiree and Choir. It has shown me that with practice, anyone can learn new things and to always go for the challenge because one day you’ll get it. I've also gained a lot of confidence throughout tapping which has improved my performances onstage immensely. To be honest I don’t know where I’d be today without having experienced tapping as a child. It has not only given me the opportunity to meet new friends but it has also helped form the person I am today and I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Sincerely,

Madyson