All dancers change over time. So why should your teaching stay the same? Students' bodies evolve, and just as importantly, so does their intellectual and emotional maturity. What works in a classroom of teenagers won't necessarily fly with your preteens, and even your 3 and 4 year olds should be kept separate from kids who are just one to two years older.

We've devoted this issue to helping you create an age-appropriate curriculum, from classroom activities for your tiny tots to music choices for adult classes. By understanding the subtleties of how the body and mind develop, you'll be better able to tailor your teaching--and help students make the most of their abilities. Flip to page 46 to get a full rundown of our stories this month.

One dance genre that proudly welcomes dancers of every age is tap. While ballet dancers struggle with obsolescence (and ever sharper competition from young up-and-comers) with each passing year, the tap community embraces--and exalts--its older dancers. In fact, the older the better! There is deep respect and admiration for "elders" and the history and heritage they literally embody. Not only steps, but the nuances of musicality and colorful folklore of tap days gone by, are transmitted orally rather than through textbook manuals or codified syllabi.

At age 27, cover subject Jason Samuels Smith is a young "cat" by any standard, but he's driven when it comes to passing on tap's heritage from the oldest generation to the newest. "Anybody who assumes the title of tap dancer is an ambassador for the art and has the responsibility to continue the tradition of his teacher, and his teacher's teacher," he says. Interestingly, Samuels Smith wasn't always so magnanimous: "I was egotistical with my style," he admits of his younger, brasher days. Turn to "Passing the Torch" on page 32 to read all about his evolution--and his thrilling plans to help tap gain the spotlight it deserves.

Why not join the cause? May 25 is National Tap Dance Day, after all. Put on some taps and celebrate the uniquely American artform at one of dozens of events around the country this month. Check out our "News: Happenings" section, starting on page 20, to find out what's going on near you. Samuels Smith also shares a classic step-by-step on page 44, and we take a look at the life and career of the late, great Honi Coles on page 68. Happy tapping!

Jeni Tu

Managing Editor