Students in the tap dance class of Dorrie Langer learn balance and grace as they fill the dance studio with resonating clacks.
Langer has been teaching for 13 of her 58 years in tap dancing.
She instructs eight students in the intermediate class at Washington Heights Arts Center, 6375 W. First Ave., which plays host to a variety of classes offered through the City of Lakewood.
“They are great, and we have a fun time,” Langer said.
The students’ faces change from stone concentration to smiles as they match their tap shoes to the beat in the music, having only a split second to remember the next step.
“I have been taking classes for five years,” said student Jacque Burwick.
The 72-year-old said tap makes her happy.
“I grew up on ballet, but that doesn’t make you happy the way tap does,” she said. “I look forward to Dorrie’s class every week, she is wonderful.”
Sections of work are added to the previous as the class puts routines together at 16 bar phrases at a time.
As the studio goes from booming sounds to complete silence, students compliment each other on grace and laugh together over clumsiness.
According to Langer, age range of students in her classes varies, but dance is an activity anyone can do and enjoy learning.
“It’s not easy, but that makes it fun. Learning it is a good feeling,” Langer said.
While rehearsing choreography set to “All That Jazz” from the musical “Chicago,” the eight women in the class laughed and joked, never grumbling as Langer repeatedly announced, “all right, a little faster now.”
“It’s fun, but it can be difficult remembering all the steps when we get really fast,” Burwick said.
Lakewood offers an assortment of classes through the city and tap dancing is just one area of the arts the community may learn.
A renovated early 20th century schoolhouse, the center enriches the community by offering a variety of cultural arts educational opportunities for all ages, with over 25 different classes offered each session, officials said.
A few of the most popular classes include pottery, watercolor, papermaking, ballet, tap and Middle Eastern belly dancing.
For more information on classes offered at the Washington Heights Arts Center, including tap, call 303-987-5436 or visit lakewood.org.