PDP – Tampa Bay Taps – Center for Tap Dance

Tampa Bay Tap Festival Professional Development Program

Find Your Rhythm and Let’s DANCE!

A TAP-tastic program, coming to Tampa, Florida June 16-22, 2026!

Created for young professionals and aspiring dancers, this 7-day immersive experience will empower you to hone your skills, create your own community, and develop your professional mindset through mentorships and “real-world” tap dance experiences.

“Make your mark in the world and enjoy the journey. I wanted to create the opportunities I dreamed of having right in my backyard… Take the chance and join us as the inaugural Professional Development Program associated with the Tampa Bay Tap Festival. Each day you will have the opportunity to not only sharpen your skills, but establish relationships with Mentors and Festival Faculty. Take what you learn here into your everyday life–school, work, teaching, performing. Be the best version of yourself and Find Your Rhythm!” — Festival Director Ashlyn Bolton

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

(requires Google sign-in)

CLICK HERE TO PAY APPLICATION FEE

What do you get?

7-day program with Mentors and Festival Faculty.
24 hours of rehearsals and 8 hours of classes throughout the week with all Mentors and Festival Faculty.
Close relationship building with Mentors.
Learn 5 pieces of choreography to perform.
Improvisation, solo, and group work.
Perform a PDP 25 minute show at Disney Springs.
Perform at Tampa’s largest performance venue, the Straz Center, in Festival show “COPASETIC.” (Dinner provided on performance day)
NEW for 2026* Have the opportunity to participate in a new Student Showcase. (additional registration required)
NEW for 2026* Attend the Festival’s new Tap Jam Wrap Party .
NEW for 2026* Dance in a fully produced tap dance music video Directed by an award winning Festival Faculty member.
NEW for 2026* Take PDP only Master Classes with different instructors throughout the week.
NEW for 2026* Participate in a professional photo shoot, receiving a professional headshot and full body shot(s.) Guidance by a PDP Mentor.
Have the chance to win scholarships to other events.
One-day, one-park admission ticket to a Disney World Theme Park with PDP group.
Transportation to and from Orlando on PDP show and theme park days.
Attend Mentor chat sessions and catered PDP after-party.
PDP t-shirt and gear.
Collaboration with live musicians.
Relationship building and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Learn in an intimate community space. Only 20 spots available! Geared towards older, 16+ dancers. Open to exceptional dancers starting 11+.

What Does Each Day Look Like?

Pre-Arrival: PDP Dancers will receive 1-2 pieces of choreography to learn on their own time BEFORE arrival at the event. Detailed video instructions will be sent via email closer to the event.

Day 1: Arrival Day – Meet and greet with the entire group as well as individual groups and mentors. Begin learning choreography for your Disney Performance and review what has been sent via email.

Day 2: Continue to grow relationships with Mentors and fellow dancers. Learning Improvisation group choreography, fine tuning pieces, and finalizing things for the weekend’s shows.

Day 3: Show day at Disney Springs! Bus to Orlando with PDP. Perform and enjoy a PDP after-party back in Tampa that evening.

Day 4: Bring your best smile for your professional photoshoot! Enjoy lunch with your Mentors, learn Choreography for your music video shoot, attend a PDP Master Class, and get ready for the (optional) Student Showcase that evening.

Day 5: Tampa Bay Tap Festival Classes begin! Attend three morning classes with Festival Faculty, have an afternoon Mentor session or Master Class before preparing to perform in the Festival’s show, “Copasetic” that evening.

Day 6: Tampa Bay Tap Festival Classes continue! Attend four classes with Festival Faculty, have an afternoon Mentor session, attend the Festival’s Wrap Party with a Tap Jam with live musicians and desserts. Get ready to film your music video with Festival Faculty that evening.

Day 7: Bus over to Orlando with PDP and enjoy your day at a Walt Disney World Theme Park!! Making memories with new and old friends! Transportation back to Tampa is provided.

IMPORTANT*If you are a Disney Annual Passholder, you are still required to use the ticket included in your PDP package. Per Disney rules, Passholders are not able to participate in their performances unless a Performer Ticket is purchased. In the event of bad weather, Disney Coordinators will do their best to accommodate rescheduling shows the same day or weekend. No refunds offered if our show is canceled due to weather.*

Everything* is included in the price of the event: (one) Magic Kingdom Theme Park Ticket, shuttle to and from Orlando on Thurs and Mon, all classes, all rehearsals and choreography fees, participation in “Copasetic”, Wrap Party, Video Shoot, Photoshoot, t-shirt, etc.
*Travel to and hotel accommodations in Tampa will not be provided. However, a group rate at a nearby hotel will be offered. Please include your interest in application. Participating in the Student Showcase is an additional fee.

Tuition

$1,810, paid all at once or in two installments + $35 application fee | $250 deposit included in tuition, refundable until 4/1/2026

Make payments (ONLY UPON ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM)

| Pay in full | Plan payment 1 | Plan payment 2 |

Plan: $905 installments | First payment due 1/26/2026 | Second payment due 3/19/2026

Refund/Cancellation Policy

We understand that injuries and emergencies can come up that may prohibit you from attending. The $250 Deposit is refundable until April 1st, 2026. No refunds will be given afterwards. Medical issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarships

Very few scholarships will be available, with recipients selected by Tampa Bay Taps staff and PDP mentors.

We are seeking sponsorships (personal, business, corporate) for future events to help provide more scholarship opportunities. If you know of anyone who wants to contribute to the Tampa Bay Taps Scholarship Fund, please have them email us at tampabaytaps@gmail.com.

Application and Payment Schedule

November 10, 2025 | Applications open; fee due with submission
December 1, 2025 | Early/Priority Acceptances
January 1, 2026 | Application deadline
January 12, 2026 | Regular Acceptances
January 26, 2026 | Deadline for full payment or first payment on Payment Plan
March 19, 2026 | Deadline for second payment
April 1, 2026 | Deadline for deposit refund ($250) if withdrawing from the program
Apr 1, 2026 | Final Round of Acceptances (if space allows)