DC TAP FEST 2026
The DC Tap Festival, presented by the Chloé and Maud Foundation, is the largest tap festival in the world! This annual event offers master dance classes, a filmmaking workshop, panel discussions, dance battles, jam sessions and entrepreneurship courses.
Our mission is to inspire and unite tap dancers and dance lovers from around the world, and together, heighten the global respect and appreciation for the rich American art form of tap dance. We welcome all people, regardless of economic status, age, gender, artistic or cultural background. The DC Tap Fest is a haven for the creative and artistic process, and fosters the growth of the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs and world changers.
CHECK OUT THE HOLLYWOOD TAP FEST!
UPON REGISTERING FOR THE DC TAP FEST, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION THAT CONTAINS A 15% OFF COUPON CODE TO THE HOLLYWOOD TAP FEST. JOIN US!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are suggestions so what level might be most appropriate for you or your dancer coming to the DC Tap Fest. If you feel after the festival has begun that you have registered for the wrong level, you are able to change it in person at our registration desk. Our faculty reserves the right to change a student's level based on what they feel is best suited.
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Sync Babies: Suitable for dancers ages 4 to 7.
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Adult Program: For dancers ages 16+. Dancers in the Intermediate/Advanced to Advanced levels have the opportunity to discuss, collaborate, and work in a small class setting lead by faculty.
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Beginner: This class is for somebody new to tap dance, with 0-3 years experience. It is ideal to have a basic grasp on tap dance vocabulary. There is the option of Youth Beginner and Adult Beginner (16+). For a reference of what Youth Beginner dancers have learned in previous years, click here. For a reference of what Adult Beginner dancers have learned in previous years, click here.
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Intermediate: This class is for someone with 4-5 years of experience comfortable moving and has clear sounds, but isn't ready for too fast of a pace. For a reference of what Intermediate dancers have learned in previous years, click here.
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Intermediate/Advanced: This class often uses Advanced choreography but taught at a slower pace. This class is for someone with 6-8 years of experience who has great technique but wants a slower pace to ask questions and process. For a reference of what Intermediate/Advanced dancers have learned in previous years, click here.
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Advanced: Our most fast-paced classes. These are best suited for students with 8+ years of experience who can move quickly, pick up choreography fast, and are very comfortable improvising. For a reference of what Advanced dancers have learned in previous years, click here.
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There are no pre-orders for DC Tap Fest shirts. The shirt costs $35 and will be available for sale on-site the first day of the festival weekend. T-shirts are not included in any package deals. We recommend buying yours as soon as possible - it is required to purchase a DC Tap Fest t-shirt to participate in the video shoot.
I LOVE TAP! Weekend Passes include:
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Unlimited classes in your chosen level (Beginner, Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, or Advanced)
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Festival Video Shoot
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Student Showcase Participant Fee - only one performance permitted
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1 Student Entry Ticket to Jam Party (Dinner Included!)
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1 Student Entry Ticket to Student Showcase
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1 Student Entry Ticket to Cutting Contest
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1 Student Entry Ticket to Closing Party
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Access to Faculty Panel Discussion, History Classes, Sisterhood/Brotherhood Classes, and Open Level Classes
Purchase a package and save!
*Note that the packages do not include a ticket to the Concerts on Friday, or residency tuition. These must be purchased separately. All-Star Concert Tickets are on sale now here!
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Video shoot dancers MUST learn choreography in their chosen level before the day of the video shoot. To do so, attend one of the "Choreo for Video Shoot" classes. It is required to purchase a DC Tap Fest t-shirt to participate in the festival video shoot. The shirt costs $35 and will be available for sale on-site the first day of the festival weekend. T-shirts are not included in any package deals.
Yes! They will perform in both concerts. Each choreographer will let students know what they will wear during rehearsals. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A TICKET TO THE CONCERT(S) IN ORDER TO WATCH! All-Star Concert Tickets are on sale now here!
These are classes for students 16+ where dancers have the opportunity to discuss, collaborate, and work at a different pace than the other classes.
The Adult Program requires dancers to participate in all 3 sessions. This program is for dancers in Intermediate/Advanced to Advanced levels.
We offer Adult Beginner classes for Beginner level dancers age 16+.
We do! We would love to see and celebrate you and your dancers. There are three different performance opportunities possible:
All-Star Concert: We have put out a casting call to tap companies and studios — please submit here! Performance Opportunities are available to DC Tap Fest students only.
Thursday Competition: NEW THIS YEAR! We are hosting a competition judged by Chloé and Maud on Thursday, September 3. Please join us for the inaugural event! To submit your piece(s), please purchase your competition passes (solo, duet/trio, small group, or large group) below.
Sunday Student Showcase: Please join us for Sunday's Student Showcase, where dancers can perform a piece with the optional add-on of adjudication from Chloé and Maud and select faculty. Access to perform in the Student Showcase is included in all Weekend Passes, the Sunday Single Day Pass, and the Events Package. For Adjudication, please purchase that A La Carte Add-On below!
Yes! These passes can be purchased in person on site. Please come see us at the registration table prior to your chosen event and we can help you!
Prices are:
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Lunches: $40 each (Event Access only — meal not provided)
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Tap Jam and Party: $40 (Dinner provided)
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Sunday's Student Showcase/Cutting Contest: $40
There is no fee to observe the Thursday Competition.
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NEW THIS YEAR! We are hosting a competition judged by Chloé and Maud on Thursday, September 3, beginning at 5pm. Location TBD! This competition is open to:
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Solos (Max 1 Performer): $100
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Duet/Trio (2-3 Performers): $60/Performer
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Small Groups (4-9 Performers): $40/Performer
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Large Groups (10-24 Performers): $40/Performer
To submit your piece(s), please purchase your competition passes below. Upon purchasing, you will be prompted to submit dancer info and information about your piece — please email us your music at registrar@dctapfest.com!
There is no fee to observe the Thursday Competition.
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It is recommended that you plan to depart Monday, September 7th.
The Choreography Residencies are four-day workshops where the choreographer works with a group of students to set a new piece to be performed in both All-Star Concerts on Friday night. All-Star Concert Tickets are on sale now here!
Sunday's Student Showcase: Students are given the opportunity to showcase their talents. Max 1 piece (whether solo, duet, or group) per dancer. 2 min max. Everyone must bring their own music on their own device. All ages are welcome! A La Carte Students must purchase a participation ticket in order to participate.
Cutting Contest: The Cutting Contest is a one on one improvisational battle where dancers compete and showcase their technique, skills, and musicality. The winners of each age group receive a prize. All ages are welcome! Students registered for the I Love Tap Weekend Pass or the Sunday Single Day Pass have access to these events. Students who are not registered in package deals must purchase entry tickets either online or at the Registration Desk on-site at the Festival. Parents are welcome to attend and will need to purchase an entry ticket as well.
Sign Ups will be on site at the Festival for both the Student Showcase and the Cutting Contest. Both events are held at the Westin DC City Center.
Sisterhood/Brotherhood Classes are an opportunity to build self-esteem, set dreams and goals, and connect with a greater purpose to uplift each other as a community. Sisterhood will be run by the female faculty and Brotherhood by the male faculty. Participants can attend whichever session they identify with.
The teacher training workshop is a three day program for tap dance educators. Students must register for the full program, its classes are not available a la carte.
Malik Dope Drummer is an incredible drummer from DC! He teaches a hands-on drum class with practice pads for all students.
Because of amount of drum pads available, this class is first come first served for the first 35 registrants.
