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The History of Tap Dance with Knock On Wood Tap Studio

National Tap Dance Day

Bring the family to enjoy an educational performance by DC's own Knock On Wood Tap Studio to celebrate National Tap Dance Day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Tap dance is a Black American dance genre that evolved over a period of about 400 years. Through video clips and live performances, Sam and Ms. Yvonne will take you on a journey through the extraordinary history of tap’s origins and talk about its place in today’s entertainment industry. This interactive program is designed for all ages.

Founded in 1994, Knock On Wood Tap Studio trains dancers of all ages and abilities in rhythm tap, fostering pride in cultural heritage among children, youth and the communities it serves. KOW exists to preserve and promote the uniquely American art of tap dance. In addition to offering year-round classes, KOW is home to three resident tap dance ensembles. Register to attend and learn more below.

For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.

Ms. Yvonne Edwards - Washington’s celebrated “Tap Lady” and co-founder of Knock on Wood Tap Studio

A native Washingtonian, Yvonne Edwards is Washington's celebrated "Tap Lady." She has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing for over 60 years. Ms. Yvonne, the co-founder of Knock On Wood Tap Studio, has taught master classes at the International Conference of Black Dance in Atlanta, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the New York City Tap Festival, and throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

A longtime participant in Washington Performing Arts Society's Artists in Schools program, in 1993, she was the recipient of the "Contribution to Dance in the District" award presented by the DC Ensemble, DC Arts and Humanities, and DC Art Works. She has been honored by the International Association of Blacks in Dance, and was named "Tap Teacher of the Year" by the American Tap Dance Foundation. In September 2006, she received the Metro DC Dance Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education." In December 2006, she received the "Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Award for Education" at the Executives' Ball of Montgomery County, MD. In September 2007, Ms. Edwards received the WPAS Pola Nirenska Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Metro DC Dance Awards.

Sam Heimowitz - Accomplished multi-genre dancer, choreographer, and DC native

Sam Heimowitz is a professional tap dancer with eighteen years experience performing and choreographing. A native Washingtonian, he grew up in Knock On Wood Tap Studio and became a founding member and captain of the resident youth tap ensemble Capitol Tap. In 2013 at age ten he was cast with his identical twin brother in Maurice Hines' Tappin' Thru Life at Arena Stage which springboarded his professional career.

Heimowitz recently graduated from Yale University where he served as choreographer for Yale Steppin' Out, Yale's premier step team, and co-president of Taps at Yale, growing the group to 46 members and collaborating with the Undergraduate Jazz Collective. He also received the Susan J. Smith university award for outstanding contribution to the arts. After graduating, Sam joined the Central and Eastern European folk dance group Carpathia, and Tisza, a traditional Hungarian táncház ensemble.

He has participated in numerous tap dance festivals and residency programs up and down the east coast, has a breadth of historical knowledge of the art form, and has experience teaching dancers of all ages.

Sam loves sharing his knowledge of American percussive dance with others. He is a strong advocate of knowing your roots and frequently quotes famous tap dancers both verbally and through his choreography, making sure that all of his students understand, celebrate, and promote the Black American roots of tap dance.

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