OC TAP FESTIVAL FAQ
FESTIVAL DATES
July 9-13, 2025
​
Residency programs start on 7/9 & main festival events start on 7/10.
​
If you're accepted into and participating in the residency program, we recommend arriving on 7/8, as rehearsals begin the morning of 7/9.
If you're attending only the main festival, we suggest arriving on 7/9, as classes start the morning of 7/10. The festival's closing concert will occur the evening of Sunday, 7/13 and ends at around 9:30pm. ​
​
LOCATION OF FESTIVAL
Shorebreak Hotel
500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648
​
All festival events including our closing concert will be held at the Shorebreak Hotel.
​
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
2025 festival schedule coming soon.
​
FESTIVAL PASSES
Festival passes provide full access to all master classes for the level your purchased during the 4-day event, entry to all "Tap Talk" sessions, admission to the "Up Next at the Fest" show, admission to the Student Showcase, beach yoga, entry to the So. Cal Tap Jam Opening Night Party, and various other special events.
​
SINGLE DAY PASSES:
Single-day passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may or not be offered. These passes grant access to all classes and events for the level corresponding to the purchased day pass.​​
Festival closing concert tickets, participation in residencies and/or student showcase, and specialty master classes are not included with any passes. These must be purchased separately.​​​​​
​
AIRPORT OPTIONS
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - A 20-25 minute drive to the festival's location.
​
Long Beach Airport (LGB) - A 25-35 minute drive to the festival's location.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - A 60 minute drive to the festival's location.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) - A 90 minute drive to the festival's location.
​
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - A 90 minute drive to the festival's location.
​
HOTEL OPTIONS
There are plenty of hotels nearby. Alternatively, renting a private residence at www.airbnb.com is a great option and can be really affordable! Many attendees typically roommate with friends to save money and to share the awesome experience!
Stay beachfront at our festival's location, Shorebreak Hotel!
​
The hotel has reserved a certain amount of rooms at a discounted rate for our event. Our special group rate expires on June 10th, 2025 and it is on a first come first serve basis. If the group rate is not available, and you wish to stay at the host hotel, you will have to book at the hotel's normal rate.​
​
Click here to book a room online with our special group rate
​
To book over the phone, please dial 1-800-KIMPTON and ask for our group code: TA1
​
Here are hotel options that are all located within walking distance to the festival. Many of these hotels offer Senior Citizen (AARP), AAA, and Government/Military discounts. ​
​
​​​
Here are hotel options that are driving distance (10-15 minutes) to the festival and may be the most affordable. Many of these hotels offer Senior Citizen (AARP), AAA, and Government/Military discounts. ​
​
​
GETTING AROUND
The festival is located just steps to the beach and walking distance to an abundance of dining and retail shopping options. There is plenty to do and see, all within walking distance. In the case you need vehicle transportation and don't have a vehicle of your own, Uber, Lyft, Bike Cruisers & Taxis are all great options to getting around. For those with vehicles, we highly recommend taking a cruise down famous Pacific Coast Highway and take in the ocean breeze and views on the way!
​
ENTERTAINMENT
The festival is truly located in one of the best and sought out parts of California. The beautiful beach is the back drop to your experience. Southern California has much entertainment to offer for everyone in the family including Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, art galleries, wine tasting experiences, shopping, picturesque golfing locations, coastal hiking, and many jaw dropping beaches!
To learn more about Orange County and fun things to do, please click here.
​
ARTIST LINEUP
Artist lineup may be subject to change due to special circumstances. We reserve the right to change our artist lineup with or without notice.
​
OPENING NIGHT SO CAL TAP JAM PARTY
Our opening night party will occur on the first evening of the festival and will include our So. Cal Tap Jam, live music, a photo booth, beverage station, donut bar and much more! All festival pass holders and their accompanying families are welcome to attend. This event is included with a purchased festival pass. ​​
​
TAP TALK SESSIONS
Those who purchased a festival pass will have free of charge access to our "Tap Talk" sessions.
​
"Tap Talk" sessions are designed and centered around tap dance education, tap dance history, and our panel discussion with our world-renowned faculty.
​
FESTIVAL CLOSING CONCERT
Tickets are not included with festival passes and are sold separately. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets to the closing show at their earliest convenience- our closing show typically sells out each year!
​
Our closing show is open to the public. Photography and videography are not allowed.
​
RESIDENCIES
Residencies are audition based and will perform in our festival's closing concert!
All residency students will need to purchase a standing room ticket t in order to watch.
​
Participating in our residency program is not included with our festival passes and is an extra fee.
SPECIALTY MASTER CLASSES
​LIVE! At The Fest Experience:
Designed for tap dancers age 13+, this specialty master class will be co-taught by Masters Sam Weber, Max Pollak, and Anthony Morigerato, accompanied by live music from the OC Tap Fest Jazz Band! From picking a jazz tune, discussing common missteps that may occur in a live performance, to crafting an arrangement in a LIVE Jam setting- you don’t want to miss this intimate experience in exploring all that is tap dance, improvisation, live music and performance. This master class is 2 hours in length and will have limited capacity. ​This master class is not included with festival passes and must be purchased separately.
​
Rhythmic Harmony - Music Theory:
A master class designed for the Intermediate tap dancer where our Music Director, Ryan Knudsen will teach students how to read/understand rhythms and how to separate limbs and parts of minds to make harmony on our own. This master class will be one hour and 30 minutes in length and will have limited capacity. This master class is not included with festival passes and must be purchased separately.
​​
STUDENT SHOWCASE
Choreographed Solo, Duo & Small Group Showcase:​
The Student Showcase invites tap dancers to perform pre-choreographed or improvised solos, duos, or small group pieces (3-9 dancers), with live feedback from esteemed faculty. This non-competitive, inclusive event allows solos up to 3 minutes and duos and small groups up to 3.5 minutes. Participants must have a festival pass and pay an additional fee to take part in the showcase. Registrants will be contacted via email before the festival to submit performance details, including music.
​
Accompanying family members are welcome to observe at no charge.
​
MEALS
Meals are not provided by the festival. There are food options at the hotel as well as an abundance of dining options within walking distance. Please feel free to bring your own food. Only water will be allowed in the classrooms.
​
ITEMS TO BRING TO THE FESTIVAL
Tap shoes, beachwear, water, snacks, extra pair of tap shoes, socks, band-aids, camera, comfortable dance clothes, i.e. leggings, tank tops, shorts, notebook and pen.
​
RECORDING AND TAKING PICTURES
Recording or taking pictures during class is not permitted, unless the instructor states it is okay.
​
Recording or taking pictures during our closing concert is not permitted. No exceptions.
​
SWITCHING LEVELS
Switching levels is not allowed nor is taking classes in a level you are not registered for. If a dancer feels they have registered for the incorrect level and would like to switch to another level, please see us at our registration table.
​
PARENT/GUARDIAN CLASSROOM OBSERVATION
Parents/Guardians are not permitted to observe classes. If it's not an emergency, please consult a festival staff member before entering a classroom.​
​
CHANGES TO EVENTS
Events may be subject to change due to special circumstances. While we don't anticipate changes to our events, we reserve the right to change events and festival details with or without notice.
​
LEVEL INFORMATION
​ADVANCED/PROFESSIONAL:
Teen to adult tap dancers with 5 years or more of advanced level experience. This level is for the mature tap dancer with advanced skills in technique and musicality. This level moves at a rigorous pace and requires a higher level of endurance and stamina. Must be at least 13 years old to participate in this level.
HIGH INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED:
For pre-teens to adults with at least 3 years of high intermediate/advanced tap dance training. This level is ideal for dancers who are physically ready for a challenge and a deep dive into more advanced music theory concepts, quicker footwork, new trick steps, and more use of shading, tone, and accents as it relates to tap dance as a musical medium.
​
INTERMEDIATE:
Youth to teen tap dancers with at least 3-5 years of tap dance training and at least 2 years of intermediate level experience. Classes will move at a slower pace and will build on the basic fundamentals of tap dance, presenting dancers with new steps, ideas, music theory, and understandings of material they are already familiar with. This level is designed for young tap dancers who already have a basic understanding of tap dance fundamentals/steps and may be new to the structure and quicker pace of intensive or festival classes.
INTERMEDIATE ADULT:
he Intermediate Adult level is designed to inspire, challenge, and elevate tap dancers aged 18 and up. Focused on tap exercises, rudiments, combinations, music theory, and history, this level offers a comfortable yet engaging pace. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of movement and plenty of takeaways to continue improving after the festival. This level is ideal for the mature dancer who already has a comprehensive understanding of tap dance yet prefers a less physically rigorous pace.
​
*We will monitor each level and reserve the right to move a dancer to another level depending on skillset. This is done to ensure each dancer is receiving the best instruction and experience, as well as to uphold the integrity of the classroom environment. ​​
​
RETURN AND REFUND POLICY:​
No returns or refunds, all sales are final.
​
In the event our festival is cancelled by Government officials or due to pandemics and/or natural disasters, or for any other reason, we will credit funds towards a postponed festival. Please email us at: info@octapfestival.com with any questions.
​
We welcome all questions. If you have a question that is not covered above, please fill out the "Contact Us" form below or email us at: info@octapfestival.com and we will be happy to help!