Welcome to
Knock On Wood Tap Studio, Inc.
~ A 501(3)(c) charitable organization ~
Capitol Tap & District Tap
~ Resident Companies at Knock On Wood Tap Studio ~
New TAP DOC - Watch It Now!
Check out our Gallery page to watch the new 10-minute Tap Doc created by Lauren Mitchell, featuring interviews with Baakari Wilder, Victoria Dillon, Gigi Buscaglio and Nick Young.
Open Mic
Join us for our next Open Mic on Sunday, December 4 at 4:30 pm! Details are here.
Fall Session
Fall Session classes run from September 12 - December 18, 2022 and will be hybrid, both in-person and online.
Please see the IMPORTANT information below regarding COVID-19 precautions and requirements at the studio.
Inclement Weather Policy
Knock On Wood Tap Studio mostly follows DC Schools for weather closings. HOWEVER, it is always best to check here or on our Facebook page, and/or call the studio, as we will post same-day notices if the studio is closed.
Additionally, if the threat of weather might make it unsafe to travel, we will run classes online to the extent possible. If both teacher and students find it impossible to be online, a make-up session will be scheduled. Teachers will include specific class updates in their weekly emails to their students.
IMPORTANT:
KOW COVID Precautions at the Studio & Instructions for Students
NEW, beginning January 10, 2022: Safety and health is our main concern at Knock On Wood Tap Studio. Starting on January 10, per DC law, you must provide proof of vaccination (and booster if possible) to us to have on file, in addition to signing the COVID waiver, if you wish to dance in person. Children under the age of 12 do not have to show proof but we encourage and hope that that age group will be able to show proof, too. Proof can be the paper card, a digital copy, or a digital passport of some kind plus your ID (driver's license or similar ID).
As in the fall, be sure to read the instructions about classes, including that you MUST sign a waiver before you come to class, and email your waiver, along with your proof of vaccination, to the studio. In the waiver is included a provision requiring that you wear a mask in the studio at all times. When you arrive in person, the front desk staff will check to make sure that you have signed this waiver and provided your proof of vaccination (for the forgetful, we will have some paper waivers for you to sign on the spot). Then you will be directed to the appropriate studio for your class and shown where you can sit to put shoes on and leave your belongings.
We ask that you do not arrive for your scheduled class more than 5 minutes before start time. You will not be allowed in the studio until the prior class leaves. All classes will end 5 minutes early to allow students to leave promptly. NO ONE who is not enrolled will be allowed to remain in the studio.
If you need to borrow shoes from KOW, the staff person will direct you to the loaners to try on. At the end of the class, return the shoes to the office.
MASKS: In the studio, you must wear a mask at all times. If you take a water break, please step out of the studio and move your mask aside to sip. If your mask gets wet, you will need to change it. Please bring a spare. We will have extras in the studio in case you do forget.
We have medical grade air purifiers (Medify, a brand you might have noticed in doctor’s offices); and hand sanitizer and wipes available. We will keep fans going and the door to the studio open. Commonly touched surfaces will be wiped down in-between classes and the studio is cleaned professionally on a regular basis.
We will do our best to keep you safe in the studio and we hope that you will do your best, too. As CDC and government guidance changes, so will we. We are not currently limiting capacity but that can change if class size greatly increases.
2020-2021 ... Year-End Thank You!
Black Lives Matter: A Note From the KOW Board of Directors
June 1, 2020
Like everyone in the Knock On Wood community, all of us who serve on the Board are deeply saddened and angered by the brutal and
senseless killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the other racist violence that continues to plague our nation. Please know that we support and care about all of you, especially those who are
suffering and may not feel safe.
Our mission is to continue the American tradition of tap, which is especially rooted in black life and culture. We pride ourselves on celebrating that rich tradition for the past 25 years and
providing a safe place for our teachers, students and volunteers. We are dedicated to continuing that for decades to come.
Sincerely,
Dori Gillman, President
Michael Heimowitz, Treasurer
Ateille Lowery, Secretary
James Hughes
Penny Passikoff
Susan Kilbourne
Candace Turitto
Update from the KOW Board of Directors
June 15, 2020
Earlier this month, the Knock on Wood Board of Directors expressed deep sadness and anger about the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubery, and seemingly countless
others. We also reaffirmed our mission of continuing the American tap tradition and reiterated its deep roots in Black life and culture.
While KOW has celebrated that rich tradition for 25 years, we have concluded that our studio can do more to acknowledge those roots. With that in mind, KOW has made a contribution to the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), which preserves and
promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin. We have also committed to renewing our focus on the foundational and ongoing contributions of Black tap dancers in our educational efforts.
We will be working with our teachers to determine how best to advance those efforts and welcome feedback from our community.
Knock On Wood on Facebook & Instagram
A terrific way to be "in the know" is to join KOW on Facebook. Become a "fan," and you'll find it simple to keep abreast of news, coming events, and all kinds of TapHappiness! Please stop by often, and you can also follow us on Instagram.