On Keller Street, a catchy melody and the sharp click of tap shoes on the hardwood floor drift out from a wide-open door. At the entrance to Swing Tap, passersby can watch a pianist playing a bright red upright piano. Just behind him, inside the studio, a group of students is rehearsing an American tap dance routine in time to the music.
This unique space serves as both a specialty store and a dance studio. Along the walls, hundreds of shoe boxes are stacked all the way to the ceiling. It is in the midst of this unusual setting—under classic chandeliers and surrounded by pillars painted red—that the dancers take their class while keeping time to the beat set by the live music.
A hands-on introduction for beginners
A sign on the sidewalk, in front of the red facade of number 21, details the school’s program. The school invites passersby to try out the discipline with trial classes priced at 20 euros. Each session lasts one hour and thirty minutes. The sign specifies that it is not necessary to bring your own equipment, as the school provides shoes to borrow just before the session begins.
For those curious about giving it a try, Level 1 classes for beginners are scheduled throughout the week. Class times include late-afternoon slots at 6:45 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Morning sessions are also held on Fridays at 9:45 a.m. and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
The open layout of the shop-school allows the energy of the live class and the notes from the piano to fully contribute to the street’s soundscape.