By Joel Keller
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Walk into a practice session for Cedar Crest’s Tappers and you’d think you’ve stumbled on a group that has decades of collective tap experience: They tap in unison while dancing around in different formations. At one point, they did an admirable job of executing a Busby Berkeley-esque wagon wheel. But according to the group’s leader, Pat Niehaus, most of the members came to the group with either little or no experience.

Starting from scratch
“We were starting from pure scratch,” she says of her initial group five years ago. Niehaus, who taught physical education in Rockland County, N.Y., had taken tap classes before coming to Cedar Crest and was looking for a way to continue her education. However, when she realized there were no tap classes, she spread the word that she was starting one of her own. “We started with a simple brush step. That’s how you start when you’re three or four years old.”

From there, though, things advanced quickly, even as people exited and entered the group. “They’re a very dedicated group,” says Niehaus. “They come (to practice) every single time. They’re dedicated in cooperating with what I ask them to do.” Niehaus does her part by cataloging different dance routines in a format of her own invention; her sheets detailing a routine’s moves look almost like sheet music, with “L” and “R” replacing musical notes.

The Tappers have put on two sold-out shows at the community’s performing arts theater over the years and have also put on smaller shows on occasion. Every time they put on a show, Niehaus gets a new group of people asking if they can join. But they soon find that tap dancing isn’t easy. “How’s your balance? You have to change feet (often): right-left, right-left,” she says.

Balance is the key
In fact, balance is the most important factor in being a good tapper. “I’d like you to have rhythm, but if you don’t we can try to teach you some.”