It takes Turin to tango

The hit TV show "Dancing with the Stars" may satisfy spectators parked in their reclining chairs, but some West Seattle residents are waltzing onto the dance floor and learning to cha cha with their own happy feet. Ballroom and Latin dance instructor Loretta Turin is making that happen for area teens, seniors, and those in between.

The Vancouver-born instructor recently moved here from Los Angeles where she competed with some of the lead-dancers seen on the TV show. She performs professionally and provides private lessons at the Washington Dance Club downtown on Stewart and Boren. She also offers group lessons to all ages Tuesday nights at the Senior Center of West Seattle, and to students Wednesday nights at West Seattle High School. Lessons are generally ten dollars per hour-long class.

"I was worried about teaching high school kids the dance steps and wondered if they would be serious about wanting to learn,' Turin said. "They turned out to be great students. I am amazed by their enthusiasm. They are having so much fun learning and are trying to get more students involved."

"I like to swing dance. It's a lot of fun," said senior Rachel Barnecut, who wore an elegant black party dress and a silver necklace to dance class. About half the guys wore ties with formal shirts tucked into jeans.

Barnecut added, "The boys need to get out here so I don't have to dance by myself." About 10 girls and eight guys participate in the high school gym, and alternate partners.

"It's a nice change from the normal dancing we do," said Sophia Sandvig, also a senior. I like feeling accomplished at something different."

Carol Viger drives her son, Marc, a sophomore, and daughter, Helene, a senior, to the lessons at the high school, along with a few other dance students, and likes to hang around during the class.

"I grew up with ballroom dancing, and see its value as a lifelong activity," said Viger. "I am grateful it's experiencing a resurgence in the United States. Loretta's great with the kids, and they're really learning from an accomplished professional."

Viger added, "The kids are under an awful lot of pressure to get their varsity letters. But this is different. They can come here to relieve stress, socialize, and just have fun."

Marc and Susannah Nelson learn waltz, tango, and swing from Turin at the Senior Center. The twenty-something couple got married two and a half years ago.

'I wished I had learned this before," said Marc. "I would have danced better at our wedding."

For classes, e-mail Loretta Turin at:

ilovedancing123@yahoo.com

To contact Senior Center of West Seattle: (206) 932-4044