Cheryl Lemmer

A native of Roselle, New Jersey, Cheryl Lemmer studied dance for two years at Ramapo College in her home state before heading west to Arizona at age 19. She ultimately found Eugene and completed a UO degree in dance in 1980. She also married John Lemmer and had a daughter, Jesse, in 1981. Since the mid-80s, Lemmer has taught dance, from ballet to hip-hop, and exercise classes all over town. "I've taught part-time at LCC for 20 years," she notes. "I do Pilates here at In Shape and at the Pilates Center. I try to learn what's new and teach the latest." For 17 years, Lemmer has assisted her UO classmate Cindy Zreliak with the ZAPP Dance Company, a group that performs at local benefit events and goes on tour during the summer. "It's a family affair," she says. "Jesse joined ZAPP when she was eight and continued until she was 25. John designs and builds the sets." Verna Reidy of Eugene is a regular in Lemmer's Saturday morning aerobic dance class at In Shape. "Her exuberance and talent are infectious," Reidy says. "My life would not be the same without her classes."

happening people photograph and story by Paul Neevel Eugene Weekly / 7 June 2007