4 years

Tap dancing, as an art form is deeply rooted in Black culture. It originated in the United States in the early 19th century. Tap has several ancestors; most notably Irish step dancing and African dancing, both of which were brought over to the United States through immigration and slavery. Although there are a number of performers who kept this art form alive, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and Sammy Davis Jr. are several of the notables who have influenced the craft as we know it.