Chapman first stepped onto the dance floor at the age of four and has now been teaching for more than 45 years.
When Molls Dolls began, there were just six dancers.
Many of those original members are still dancing with the group today, Chapman said.
Her focus has always been on everyone being able to dance, and the joy that comes from moving together.
“I want everybody to be happy and feel the joy of tap dancing. It’s the most wonderful thing, and it lifts your soul,” she said.
That philosophy has remained at the heart of Molls Dolls, even as the group has grown and achieved success on the competition stage.
The group has won gold medals at the last three Masters Games, but Chapman is quick to emphasise that dancers do not need to be professionals to put on a good show.
“Everybody can dance,” Chapman said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s movement or tap dancing or everyone can dance and have fun and enjoy it.”
For some members, dancing has been a lifelong passion.
For others, it has become a source of friendship, connection and mental stimulation later in life.
Jewel Lewis has been dancing since she was 5. Now in her 80s, she has been part of Molls Dolls for six years and practises most days.
She is also a member of an honorary subgroup known as the Old Dolls, made up of about eight or nine dancers aged over 65.
The group has won gold medals at the last three Masters Games. Photo / Anna Heath
For Lewis, tap dancing offers far more than physical exercise.
“It’s one of the best preservers of older people’s cognition because it puts rhythm and timing and new things and camaraderie and friendship and all together in one parcel,” Lewis said.
She also credits Chapman with creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, regardless of age or ability.
“She’s caring and empathetic and doesn’t turn anybody away,” Lewis said.
“Every time we leave a class, everybody feels like they’ve contributed, and she’s an amazing choreographer.
“Then there’s the camaraderie of the girls – and I’m allowed to call them girls because I’m twice the age of a lot of them – and they all help each other.
“That’s really good for the soul.”
That sense of belonging is shared by dancers across generations.
Karlyn and Jannaya are both members of Molls Dolls and were taught by Chapman when they were young children.
For Jannaya, returning to dance with Chapman years after first learning from her as a young girl has made the experience particularly meaningful.
“I have been coming to Moll’s Dolls now for nine years, but I did start with Molly when I was three and a half in Dunedin and then stopped that and then rejoined nine years ago,” Jannaya said.
“It was cool to be able to go back to the same teacher that I had when I was just a little girl.”
Molls Dolls’ next show is sold out, with three weeks still to go. Photo / Anna Heath
For Karlyn, the group offers something that extends well beyond the dance floor.
She described Molls Dolls as a “pretty special group of ladies”.
“You’ve sort of got a ready-made group of friends that are always there for you,” Karlyn said.
“I had a bit of a rough time with my daughter’s health and they just surround you in love and it’s really, really nice.
“Aside from all the dancing and everything, so yeah, pretty special group of ladies.”
Back in the hall, the tapping continues – just three weeks out from their next sold-out show.