all-inclusive tap dance!

The Tap Factor is a tool for social inclusion and change. Through custom facilitations and workshops, the Tap Factor raises civic awareness and teaches leadership development through active self-awareness and team-building exercises. Led by Founding Artistic Director and professional tap dancer Christopher Erk, participants are quickly taught how to use the basics of tap dance as a mode of self-expression and outlet for engaging with their communities and beyond.

"I started the Tap Factor as a way for people to understand how to use tap dance as a way to engage with their communities. In my experience, tap dance is easily learned, shared, and celebrated by all. Our inclusive workshops strive to increase self-awareness and ability to confidently approach new situations. There is something for everyone to learn by spending five minutes in a tap dancers shoes. I can prove it."

Founding Artistic Director - Christopher Erk

Meet Chris

For the past 20 years, Christopher Erk has traveled the world as a professional tap dance performer, teacher, choreographer and community program developer. Most recently he has toured with Tap Dogs, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, and was a featured Artist in Las Vegas' number one show Absinthe at Caesar' Palace. His production company the Tap Factor emphasizes the global implications of Tap Dance through all-inclusive workshops and performance opportunities and has been featured at TEDx. The Tap Factor's original productions, Tap in the Night, Feet Speak, Tap into a Dream, and Tap on Top have recently debuted on Hapag Lloyd’s MS Europa and MS Europa 2, and continue to tour internationally throughout the year. Christopher's newest project, Dark Stepp challenges his more typical approach to tap dance with new sounds and interactive projected imagery.

Take a glimpse

There are a variety of ways the Tap Factor has found to connect.

The Tap Factor - Berlin, Global Goals Curriculum

See how Christopher got a group of 650 global educators on their feet and tap dancing in moments as a part of the 2016 Global Goals Curriculum Conference at Humbolt University in Berlin, Germany.

"Christopher Erk is a dynamic teaching artist. He has been both a core faculty member at Wright State University and, later, a guest artist. He is inspiring in his imaginative use of rhythm, in his incredible technique and in his ability to help students master these skills with style and joy. Chris bridges traditional tap, funky rhythm tap and the most current trends. I can't think of another tap artist who I'd rather have come back to work with my students."

Professor and Director, Musical Theater Initiative, Wright State University - Joe Deer

Video Playlist

The Tap Factor has facilitated projects in a variety of settings. This Youtube playlist offers an idea of its diverse and all-inclusive nature. The Tap Factor is up for the challenge to demonstrate how tap dance can make the world a better place!