BOLD Miami
The Zumba Instructor
Hope Holmberg
Issue date: 12/12/09 Section: Feature
Zumba is an all-encompassing word.
A collaboration of merengue, cumbia, cha cha, hiphop, mambo, samba, salsa, reggae, flamenco and reggaeton, "Latin-dance-fitness-workout would just be too long to say, so it's called Zumba," explains Miami grad student Lisa Dailey.
Since Dailey brought Zumba to the Rec as an undergrad her junior year, it has not only proven to be a success, it's also made her known as "the Zumba instructor" around campus.
Engaging in a wide array of dancing ever since she was a child - including tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hop - Dailey longed for a creative outlet at college. During her first Zumba class at the YMCA back home in Uniontown, OH, she fell in love with the music and asked the instructor afterwards how she could get a hold of it. Upon learning that she had to be a certified instructor in order to get the CDs, Dailey looked into teaching Zumba.
After taking her first Zumba class, Dailey knew she had found a way to help people not just lose weight, but also feel motivated, confident and good about themselves.
"I hoped it would give people the opportunity to socialize, meet new people, have fun and learn about another culture," she says.
After getting certified at a weekend workshop at Kent State, she was ready to dance with a class of her own in no time.
For now Dailey teaches Zumba three times a week. When she was an undergrad she taught four times a week.
While student teaching in Australia last semester, Dailey conducted Zumba classes for elementary school students. She's also taught Zumba classes in Hilton Head and is planning to teach in Jamaica this year.
During "free" week at the Rec, about 55 people attend her Zumba classes, but only about 15-20 people come on a regular basis.
In addition to being a Zumba instructor, Dailey is getting her master's in education, is the adviser for the Miami hip-hop team, works at Goggin, teaches preschool and works at Sushi Nara.
Despite her very busy schedule, Dailey still loves Zumba and does not see it as a chore. To keep things interesting, she likes to introduce new playlists and dance sequences every week, which is admittedly a lot of work.
"Because I enjoy it, I don't find it stressful," she says. "I feel truly blessed to have such dedicated people come each week because it helps motivate me to work harder for them. I have met some of my best friends through Zumba."
Dailey hopes the program will continue after she graduates. Yet for now, she can still be found at the Rec, busting a move to the energetic music of Zumba.
A collaboration of merengue, cumbia, cha cha, hiphop, mambo, samba, salsa, reggae, flamenco and reggaeton, "Latin-dance-fitness-workout would just be too long to say, so it's called Zumba," explains Miami grad student Lisa Dailey.
Since Dailey brought Zumba to the Rec as an undergrad her junior year, it has not only proven to be a success, it's also made her known as "the Zumba instructor" around campus.
Engaging in a wide array of dancing ever since she was a child - including tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hop - Dailey longed for a creative outlet at college. During her first Zumba class at the YMCA back home in Uniontown, OH, she fell in love with the music and asked the instructor afterwards how she could get a hold of it. Upon learning that she had to be a certified instructor in order to get the CDs, Dailey looked into teaching Zumba.
After taking her first Zumba class, Dailey knew she had found a way to help people not just lose weight, but also feel motivated, confident and good about themselves.
"I hoped it would give people the opportunity to socialize, meet new people, have fun and learn about another culture," she says.
After getting certified at a weekend workshop at Kent State, she was ready to dance with a class of her own in no time.
For now Dailey teaches Zumba three times a week. When she was an undergrad she taught four times a week.
While student teaching in Australia last semester, Dailey conducted Zumba classes for elementary school students. She's also taught Zumba classes in Hilton Head and is planning to teach in Jamaica this year.
During "free" week at the Rec, about 55 people attend her Zumba classes, but only about 15-20 people come on a regular basis.
In addition to being a Zumba instructor, Dailey is getting her master's in education, is the adviser for the Miami hip-hop team, works at Goggin, teaches preschool and works at Sushi Nara.
Despite her very busy schedule, Dailey still loves Zumba and does not see it as a chore. To keep things interesting, she likes to introduce new playlists and dance sequences every week, which is admittedly a lot of work.
"Because I enjoy it, I don't find it stressful," she says. "I feel truly blessed to have such dedicated people come each week because it helps motivate me to work harder for them. I have met some of my best friends through Zumba."
Dailey hopes the program will continue after she graduates. Yet for now, she can still be found at the Rec, busting a move to the energetic music of Zumba.
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Miami Music
posted 12/21/09 @ 8:28 AM EST
This was an interesting read. Dailey is definately a good thing for Miami's music scene. We need more people like this dedicated and show a true passion for the art. (Continued…)
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