A special, once-a-year invitation for iTap Teacher Graduates:
A small group. Live music. Deep conversations. The mentorship, collaboration, & tap dance community you’ve been craving
Session #1:
July 31st - August 2nd, 2026 | Only 18 Spots Available
Session #2:
August 7th - 9th, 2026 | Only 18 Spots Available
A little tap teacher truth…
You give a lot.
You give your energy, focus, creativity, and your heart every time you step into the studio.
You give clear counts, patient corrections, encouragement on hard days, and celebration on the good ones.
You hold space for your students, their growth, their nerves, their wins, and their love for this art form.
And you do it beautifully.
But somewhere between class prep, choreo, schedules, and keeping all the plates spinning in tap shoes, your own needs don’t get quite the same attention.
I’m a big believer in, “You can’t keep giving if you never receive.”
You can’t inspire your students if you’ve forgotten what inspiration feels like, and you can’t teach artistry if you’ve lost touch with your own.
That’s exactly what this retreat is for.
What Is The In-Person iTap Teacher Retreat?
A rare, intimate, in-studio gathering designed to reconnect you with your artistry, community, & purpose in your tap dance journey!
I have the coolest job in the world
I’ve been teaching at the big tap events for almost 2 decades now.
The ones where 50+ students are crammed into a master class, and we’ve got just 75 minutes to cram in meaningful and transformative information.
And while I believe those events have their place…
This retreat is the opposite of all that.
Instead of another loud, packed weekend that leaves you more tired than inspired, the iTap Teacher Retreat is where you can:
Blend time for dancing, live music, and spontaneous jams with honest conversations, mentorship, and creative exploration.
Connect deeply with live music - listening, responding, and letting it shape how you move, teach, and create.
Build a real sense of community and collaboration, where questions are welcome, growth is shared, and lifelong friendships begin.
Laugh when things get messy, experiment without pressure, and find inspiration in being together on and off the dance floor
It’s just you, your people, and the kind of creative breathing room that reconnects you with the feeling that made you choose tap in the first place.
What Is The In-Person iTap Teacher Retreat?
A rare, intimate, in-studio gathering designed to reconnect you with your artistry, community, & purpose in your tap dance journey!
I’ve been to the big tap events.
The ones where 200 people are crammed into a master class, and that weird competition energy where everyone’s trying to prove something lingers like a bad smell.
And while I believe those events have their place…
This retreat is the opposite of all that.
Instead of another loud, packed weekend that leaves you more tired than inspired, the iTap Teacher Retreat is where you can:
Ask questions without feeling judged (because there’s no such thing as a silly question!)
Mess up a combination and laugh about it instead of spiraling into self-doubt
Have real conversations about teaching challenges over coffee…without someone trying to one-up you with their latest Instagram post!
It’s just you, your people, and the kind of creative breathing room that reconnects you with the feeling that made you choose tap in the first place.
Highlights from last year’s Retreat
YES, this is the room I want to be in!
What to expect
A curated, small-group retreat experience
Once you enroll, I’ll ask you a few simple questions so I can get to know where you are in your tap dance and teaching journey.
This allows me to shape the weekend around the teachers in the room and offer guidance, inspiration, and support that feels relevant and useful.
Daily time on the tap floor (with live music and jams!)
You’ll dance every day with opportunities to jam, play, and improv with live musicians in a supportive, joy-filled environment.
From technique breakthroughs to spontaneous jams, you’ll reconnect with your artistry in a way that reminds you why you fell in love with tap.
A deep sense of community and collaboration
Surround yourself with iTap Teachers who speak the same language, share the same values, and understand the highs and lows of teaching tap.
You’ll connect in the studio and out in the real world too, through shared meals, laughs, and those in-between moments that make the weekend unforgettable.
Specialized sessions to reconnect with your artistry
You won’t have to choose between focusing on yourself and your students.
Each day blends time for you as the artist and time for you as the teacher, so you feel confident growing both sides of your passion at once.
Personal access to me (mentorship, feedback, support)
This retreat isn’t about sitting in the back of a crowded room.
You’ll have access to me all weekend for mentorship and feedback, including questions about your dancing, teaching, and anything you’ve been working through in the studio.
Ongoing access to our private WhatsApp group
You’ll be added to our private WhatsApp group before (and during!) the retreat so you can connect with the other teachers in real time.
You’ll head home feeling refilled, re-inspired, and more connected to your tap teacher purpose than you’ve felt in a long time.
Check Out The Sample Schedule
This is a sample schedule to give you an idea of the flow. We will not be sticking to a rigid schedule. The retreat is intentionally flexible — with space for dancing, jamming, and connecting. We’ll adapt based on the group’s energy and needs, so expect a balance of movement, discussion, and community time.
Friday
2:45 - 6:30pm - Optional private lessons
7:30pm - Optional welcome dinner (strongly encouraged to attend)
Saturday
10:00am - 12:00pm - Shuffle Session #1
12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch
1:00 - 3:00pm - Shuffle Session #2
3:30pm - Tap Talk
6:00pm - Break
8:00pm - Tap Jam
Sunday
10:00am - 12:00pm - Shuffle Session #1
12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch
1:00 - 3:00pm - Shuffle Session #2
3:30pm - Tap Talk
6:00pm - Break
7:30pm - Optional goodbye dinner (strongly encouraged to attend)
Important iTap Teacher
Retreat details
Date:
Session #1: Friday, July 31st - Sunday, August 2nd 2026
Session #2: Friday, August 7th - Sunday, August 9th 2026
Location:
Grooves Unlimited Dance Studio
355 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 100
Livingston, New Jersey 07039
Even more glowing Recommendations
“I almost didn’t sign up… I told myself I was too busy, not skilled enough, maybe even too old… But stepping onto that floor turned out to be exactly what I needed… I left with new skills, lasting friendships, and a renewed confidence that’s spilling into every part of my life and classroom.”
Jennifer Piscitelli
“I was consistently reminded why I fell in love with this art form in the first place… I came having never met anyone in real life before and left with an amazing group of lifelong friends.”
Fiona Cascagnette
“I’ve been attending a lot of festivals and masterclasses… but nothing compares to the experience at the iTap Teacher Retreat. I thought I was entering into a space with complete strangers, but it couldn’t be further from the truth... It went so much deeper than taking a tap class. It was really feeling the culture of what tap should be.”
Krystine Loring
“Everything felt comfortable the moment we walked into class. Watching Hillary-Marie transition seamlessly from one element to the next was masterful… The live musicians—especially the drummer—were perfectly in sync with the class. The judgment-free atmosphere made improvisation feel far less intimidating… It was an experience I will not forget.”
Nathan Febuary
“This retreat brought me so much joy and fulfilment and was very confirming for me in my tap dance journey… If you’d like to be in the presence of greatness and have a weekend that feels like a warm hug… You will feel so proud to be a tap dancer, and you will gain new perspectives and have unforgettably fun experiences.”
Gabriel Ditmars
“The iTap Retreat was an absolutely incredible experience! Hillary-Marie was so welcoming and made everyone feel instantly at ease… My private lesson completely transformed the way I think about my teaching and my dancing. Beyond the lessons, I made amazing friendships, and the retreat was packed with uncontrollable laughter, impromptu tap jams, and an unbelievable amount of knowledge. I left feeling like I had grown so much as both a teacher and a dancer.”
Jazmin Tyson
Check Out The Sample Schedule
Friday, August 1st
Optional private lessons
2:45 - 6:30pm
Optional welcome dinner (strongly encouraged to attend)
7:30pm
Saturday, August 2nd
Shuffle Session #1
10:00am - 12:00pm
Lunch
12:00 - 1:00pm
Shuffle Session #2
1:00 - 3:00pm
Tap Talk
3:30pm
Break
6:00pm
Tap Jam
8:00pm
Sunday, August 3rd
Shuffle Session #1
10:00am - 12:00pm
Lunch
12:00 - 1:00pm
Shuffle Session #2
1:00 - 3:00pm
Tap Talk
3:30pm
Break
6:00pm
Optional goodbye dinner (strongly encouraged to attend)
7:30pm
YES, this is the room I want to be in!
How much does it cost?
Your investment is $350
This covers the venue, the live musicians, and everything that goes into creating this intimate in-person retreat experience for a small group of just 18 iTap Teachers.
But honestly?
What you’re really investing in is a weekend that refills your tap teacher cup.
It’s being in a room with iTap teachers who are in the same boat, who understand the roller coaster of being a dance teacher and lifelong student of the dance, and who want the same thing you want… to grow, connect, and keep the joy alive.
There’s something really special about being in a room with people who just GET it.
You don’t have to explain why you get so excited about tap dance culture and artistry…
You’ll leave with brand new, joy-filled shuffles you can use in your classes right away, and a family of iTap Teachers you can actually text when you’re feeling stuck or looking for some encouragement
And if you ask the iTap Teachers who attended last year’s event… that’s priceless!
YES, this is the room I want to be in!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s included?
A: What’s included:
✅ Daily specialized shuffles that push your technique and reignite your creativity
✅ Tap talks where we dig into teaching challenges, artistic growth, & finding your groove as an educator
✅ Live music and tap jams that bring your footwork to life
✅ Direct feedback from myself and your fellow tap teachers throughout the weekend
✅ A private WhatsApp group to stay connected with your retreat crew before, during, and after
✅ Hangout time that allows you to build real friendships and connections
What’s NOT included:
❌ Meals (the Friday welcome dinner and Sunday goodbye dinner - though I strongly encourage you to come to both!)
❌ Private lessons (but you can book one! Just email me at [email protected] with “private lesson” in the subject line)
❌ Lodging and transportation
Q. Is there a virtual option?
A: Nope. This retreat is intentionally in-person. We’ll be unplugged, connected in real life, and soaking up all the good studio energy together.
Q. Can I come for just one day or just one class?
A: No day passes, friend. This retreat is designed as a full weekend experience, so clear the weekend and come all in!
Q. Can I attend both weeks?
Sure! You're welcome to attend both weekend sessions.
Q. Is anyone else invited?
A: Only iTap Teacher Certificate Program graduates are invited. That means you’ll be surrounded by your people. No one else is invited!
Q. What’s the refund / cancellation policy?
A: There are no refunds.
Q. Is it okay if I leave early on Sunday to travel home?
A: Yes! If you need to travel home Sunday night and skip the optional Sunday evening event, no worries at all. I totally understand.
Q. Is there a maximum number of teachers allowed to enroll?
A: Yes! I’m capping enrollment to keep this experience truly intimate and personal. There are only 18 spots total, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Q. How do I book a private lesson?
A: Easy! After you've enrolled, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: private lesson.
Q. How do I get to the venue?
A: I want getting to the retreat to feel as stress-free as possible, so here are the travel details all in one place.
Travel Hub
Airport: (EWR) Newark Liberty International
Public Transit: the studio is not easily accessible by public transportation
Train from NYC or DC:
Take the train to Newark Broad Street or Newark Penn Station
Then take NJ Transit to Short Hills train station
Then take an Uber from Short Hills
Q. Where should I stay?
A: Hotel Recommendations:
Sonesta Select Whippany Hanover ($)
Home2Suite by Hilton East Hanover ($$$)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Airbnb
It’s highly recommended that you connect with other iTap Teachers after enrollment and get a bnb together. Those that did it last year absolutely loved the experience.
YES, this is the room I want to be in!