Bill Nakao wasn’t really a country-western music fan.

“Never,” he said, smiling and shaking his head. “But I’m growing an appreciation for it.”

Nakao started taking the line dancing class at the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center a few years ago. Now he teaches it.

“The senior center is a great resource,” he said, adding it hosts many different activities. He also teaches Tai Chi, not the martial art but the type that is more for energy and circulation.

Nakao then led the class of about 20 people doing the “cowboy boogie” to the song “Wagon Wheel.” A little while later he mixed in the classic rock song

“All Shook Up” to another dance routine.

The class is similar to what you’d see at a gym doing aerobics, with participants learning the same routines to get a workout.

The in-person classes were canceled from March to May due to COVID-19, but they’ve been back since. Classes were small at first until everyone got vaccinated and started wearing masks, he said.