VICKI’S TAP PUPS
Turning a local dance class into a national phenomenon
In 2006, I partnered with my mother to help transform her small adult tap class into what eventually became the largest adult tap program in the world. What began as a local dance studio evolved into a national community rooted in rhythm, joy, connection, and second acts, eventually expanding into publishing, live events, digital learning, product development, and national media.
What began as my mom’s $500 side hustle became the largest adult tap program in the world.
FROM MORTGAGE MONEY TO MOVEMENT
Long before I got involved, Vicki had already built something special. After returning to teaching dance in the 1980s to help support me and my brother to make up for not receiving child support, she developed an adult-focused teaching program rooted equally in discipline, nostalgia, fun, and emotional connection.
Her philosophy was simple: “If these ladies aren’t having fun, they are not going to come back.”
What she intuitively understood long before wellness culture became mainstream was that rhythm, community, and joy are deeply connected.
Built to Scale. Built for Joy.
In 2006, my mother was preparing to retire after more than 30 years at AFSCME Council 13 and was considering taking a small part-time job at a local country club to stay busy and earn extra income.
I remember saying to her: “What if you focused on Tap Pups full-time instead?”
She laughed.
“Oh Brian, I already have every adult in the area that wants to take tap.”
I replied: “Well… let’s just see about that.”
Over the next six months, I worked to convince her that what she had built was far bigger than she realized. I developed a simple three-page business plan centered around a philosophy I called Happiness Through Tap, built on the idea that rhythm, community, joy, and emotional connection could become the foundation for something much larger than dance alone.
The opportunity was never to reinvent the business. It was to help scale it without losing its fun.
Together, we expanded the program and studio experience into a broader ecosystem that included live performances, publishing, digital learning, product development, and national media.
Within the first year, the program grew from 35 students to more than 150. Over the following two years, it expanded to more than 700 annual students ranging in age from 21 to 86.
MORE THAN A DANCE PROGRAM
The business eventually expanded into instructional DVDs, live events, e-commerce, and the Tap Jam Board. We later co-authored Encore Performance through Simon & Schuster, creating a multimedia book experience that extended the story even further through integrated video, music, and live performance.
National appearances on CBS Sunday Morning and The Today Show helped introduce Tap Pups to a much wider audience, while the annual Spring Shows became major community events drawing thousands each year.
But what made the experience powerful was never just dance. It was belonging.
“Are you freakin’ kidding me?! All this talent here in Harrisburg?!
You belong on Broadway.”
BUILDING SOMETHING TOGETHER
The most meaningful part of the experience had very little to do with growth.
Through the process, we stopped relating only as mother and son and started understanding each other as creative and strategic partners. She saw more clearly what I did professionally, and I gained a far deeper appreciation for her instincts, resilience, discipline, and emotional intelligence.
My mother recently passed away.
The legacy she built continues to ripple through the lives of the tens of thousands of people she brought together, and I remain incredibly grateful that we had the opportunity to build something meaningful side by side.
THE POWER OF RHYTHM
Vicki’s Tap Pups reinforced one of the most important lessons of my life: people are ultimately searching for rhythm, connection, and belonging.
My mother taught all three naturally.
I simply helped build the systems around what she already understood intuitively.
Personal Takeaway
I helped my mom see the magnitude of what she built. She taught me that personal rhythm is one of life’s greatest sources of happiness. Once you find it, you can rely on it to get through the tough times, the joyful times, and everything in between — just like she did. Watching her step into this next chapter with so much joy, confidence, and purpose changed me as well. It reminded me that some of the most meaningful things we build in life are not measured by scale or recognition, but by the people we build them with.
Working alongside her to help bring Vicki’s Tap Pups into the world will always remain one of the greatest privileges of my life.
Let Me Dance…Again