Why tap? Why now? Tap dancing as arts participation

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dance Studies
• Creative Arts Therapies

Background:

• Participatory arts are recognized for promoting health and well-being in older adults.
• Existing research highlights various art forms, yet tap dancing's specific benefits for older women remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of older women participating in tap dancing.
• To understand the unique health and well-being benefits derived from this specific art form.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study design.
• Purposive convenience sampling of 14 women aged 48-79.
• Data collection through individual interviews, class observations, and focus groups.

Main Results:

• Tap dancing provided physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits.
• Participants reported enhanced meaning, purpose, self-expression, and creativity.
• A supportive and relatable class environment, led by an 'older' teacher, was crucial.

Conclusions:

• Tap dancing offers intrinsic value and multidimensional benefits for older adults.
• The studio environment significantly enhanced participants' positive experiences.
• Tap dancing holds potential for improving older adult well-being, complementing healthcare referrals to arts programs.