What is ZUMBA?

ZUMBA! Perhaps you do it. Perhaps you've never heard of it. Perhaps you've dismissed it as another silly fad. Or maybe you teach it....take it....  and love it! This is my story.

A few years ago, one of my best friends from back home, Brittany Wood, introduced me to this crazy new exercise fad that had swept her WVU campus by storm... Zumba! I have to admit, at first I thought, "What the ^%*$ is Zumba? Sounds silly." But one fateful day, Brittany took me to a class being held in a church cafeteria. (Believe me, Zumba instructors are very creative in finding places to teach! They'll do it anywhere... and people will come!) 

I found out that Zumba is a Latin and Hip-Hop infused cardio dance party! For an hour, the instructor leads the class through song after song of simple choreography that anyone can learn and execute to their own intensity levels. Think salsa, merengue, cumbia, kickboxing, aerobics, and jazz class all rolled into one. I worked my butt, legs, arms, abs....and muscles I didn't even know I had until I woke up the next day! All the while, laughing with Britt, shaking my buns and having the time of my life.

That night, I went home and told my Mom, who is almost as crazy as I am and LOVES to dance... "YOU MUST TRY THIS!!!!!" I knew she would love it. The next week she tried it and was immediately hooked...just like most people. 

Months passed, I moved back to New York City, and back in Pittsburgh my Mom was Zumba-ing it up like a crazy lady with her friends. We had the brilliant idea to get certified together so we could teach! That's exactly what we would do in June of last summer. Here's us at the Pittsburgh Certification Event.... over 400 people attended! Zumba rock concert!

Now the Mother-Daughter team is changing the face of Zumba in Pittsburgh and New York City, leading our own classes. Brittany is also teaching! We like to stress that anyone can take the class, no matter your body type, gender, age, or level of dance skill. In my one class alone, I have had a 60 year-old librarian, a 45-year old male construction worker, a 9-year-old girl, and professional dancers. It's for everyone! No matter who you are, the music will put a smile on your face and sweat on your brow. I've even had singers and musical theater folks like to come to Zumba to get themselves moving and dancing again. They get more out of it than a regular dance class. 

Maybe you're still skeptical, or maybe you should get out and find your nearest Zumba class to see for yourself ! Zumba is definitely better with a carefree friend. So grab a friend who wants to get ready for bathing suit season and who loves to shake it! You can locate instructors and classes on www.zumba.com.

Ditch the workout, Join the Party!!!

Manhattan Motion Saves the Dance

Manhattan Motion Dance Studio proudly presented its Spring Showcase , “Save The Dance” this weekend,  a celebration of recreational dance.  Nestled on the corner of 76^th and Broadway, way up on the 4^th floor of an elevator-less building, Manhattan Motion offers a free work-out as you must climb to the top! What a great feeling when I finally reached the top on Sunday and took my seat in the studio-turned-auditorium. I can't say I'm a stranger to this studio though, I'm a little used to it considering I teach ZUMBA here on Sunday afternoons. This was my first peek into what else goes on at the studio... besides my crazy Zumba class!

Gabrielle Taylor, studio owner, gave a quick welcome and was all smiles as she presented her loyal students.  These students range from early teens to adults who may not have dreams of gracing a Broadway stage, but definitely LOVE to dance, and do it quite well.  For the past months, they have worked a few days a week on producing the pieces for “Save the Dance”. Family and friends were beaming with pride, armed with cameras!

The show featured Hip-Hop faculty Charlene Smith, Ryan Davis, and Andre Lee, who all not only choreographed but also performed in the show. Shanti Wargo also choreographed a hip-hop piece and was present to cheer on her students. Hip-hop students featured: Lismarys Arjona, Julie Betances, Ryan Davis, Yuki Masuda, Nanette Richardson, Jane Acierno, Natalie Browning, Katie Hamilton, Sara Joaquimsthaler, Luisa Bilboul, Ana Clemente, Anne Eller, David Hill, Tanya Williams, Mikelle Drew, Kerry Lewis, and Jayme Stevens.

There was one performer that I feel compelled to take note of, and that is beginner hip-hop dancer David Hill. Despite a mental handicap David was able to perform his hip-hop routine with commendable skill and drew a roaring applause from the supportive crowd. It was truly uplifting to realize that dance is available and healing to all people, no matter what career path we may have chosen, or the level of talents we are naturally given.

Manhattan Motion also boasts a number of belly dance classes and showed off those sizzling, shimmying coin skirts with three different belly dance pieces. Two were choreographed by faculty member Joharra, and one was a solo by student Heather Newman. Gabrielle joked about having to sweep up the coins that break loose from the skirts after each piece! Belly dancers: Kara Marceda, Heather Newman, Dina Plotch, and choreographer Joharra.

Gabrielle Taylor brings us into a world of lyrical jazz with Mea Culpa, using the four dancers as spiritual beings who begin and end the piece hiding under sheer pink sheets of fabric. Dancers Jenna DiMartino, Julie LeBlanc, Yuki Masuda, and Julia Prosser captured the eerie essence of the piece. Before her closing production number, Gabrielle Taylor improvised a solo entitled Two Minutes. She explained that she impulsively decided to do it and hadn’t rehearsed at all, beyond listening to the music. It turned out to be a beautiful piece of art!

Finally, a throng of jazz students took the stage for Retro the Funk, a medley of Michael Jackson songs! The dance boasted many elements, including quick costume changes and props! My favorite may have been the THRILLER section! Jazz dancers: Keara Albert, Charisse De Los Reyes, Emily Frey, Amanda Goodman, Stephanie Kamiel, Julie LeBlanc, Kerry Lewis, Jennie Macker, Yuki Masuda, Julia Prosser, Maureen Williams.

At the final bow, the students returned to collect their applause. At Manhattan Motion, you will not find self-absorbed professional dancers. You will find a supportive, loving community of people who just love to dance. This is what I loved so unbelievably much about this performance. It celebrated dance. It celebrated community. It celebrated the feelings we get when we let go of our inhibitions, try new things, and allow ourselves not to be judged, and even... to save the dance. 

Official Dance Review by Sheena DiMatteo
Performance: Manhattan Motion "Save the Dance" Spring Student Showcase
Choreography:  Gabrielle Taylor, Ryan Davis, Charlene Smith, Joharra, Andre Lee, Marguerite Hemmings, Heather Newman, Shanti Wargo
Venue: Manhattan Motion (76 n Broadway) 4th Floor
Date:  Sunday May 17, 2009
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