MARION — Rhythmic tapping could be heard throughout the Marion Art Center’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater on Thursday, May 11. 

“I wanted to thank you all for your courage,” said Marion Art Center Dance Academy program leader Teah Keogh to her students as they warmed up. “It takes a lot to try something new.” 

Prepared with hand me down tap shoes supplied by Keogh students took the floor with smiles on their faces.

“I hope I don’t twist an ankle,” said one student with a laugh. 

Keogh’s tap dance workshop was part of the South Coast Spring Art Series hosted by the Marion Art Center. According to Keogh, it was the first tap dance class for a majority of students attending the class.

“As an art form [dance] is an amazing and beautiful way to express yourself,” said Keogh.

Keogh has been dancing since she was two years old and began teaching in 2005. She currently teaches dance, including tap, for children at the Marion Art Center. 

Student’s learned a tap routine to the song “Steam Heat,” complete with dance moves such as shuffle ball change and brush steps.

Dancers watched on as  Keogh performed her favorite move called a paradiddle, a movement focused on the heel that creates a rhythmic tapping. 

“[Dancing] can be a huge stress relief, especially tap dance,” she said.

 Keogh encouraged her students to relax and to enjoy shots of tequila.

“The key is to get loose,” she said.

It was Lindsay Tallman’s first time participating in a tap dance class.. 

“It was way harder than I thought,” said Tallman. “I am drenched in sweat.”

Despite the challenge, Tallman said she plans to tap dance again. 

“I had way more fun than I ever could have imagined,” said Tallman.