EMZ Instructors - how it all happened...

I became licensed to teach Zumba end of May 2010.  Later that summer in August, a friend of mine Ane Pututau mentioned she had a place I could teach if I was interested.  Excited for the opportunity to 'practice', I was all for it.  My very first class began with myself and 3 other individuals at 7 am.  A week from there with school starting, some suggested we move class time to 5:30 am.  Somehow they talked me into it.  Maybe because it was just one day a week.  A month in, they all talked me into adding another day.  For 9 months I taught every Wednesday & Thursday.  To be quite honest, mornings are not my thing - if it weren't for the dedicated individuals I would've given up already.

May of 2011, a few friends who were interested in becoming instructors themselves asked if they could teach a few numbers.  Excited for the help I would be getting.  I agreed.  Instead of teaching by myself, I was team teaching with Beti Tu'aefe, Betsy Vakapuna & Twig Larkin. Once they were on board, we went from twice a week to five days a week.

Last summer, a few friends who are Zumba instructors decided to visit and check out EMZ.  After visiting, they fell in love with the class and joined our group of instructors currently teaching -- Satomi Biggs & Dana Rossi.  We relocated to a bigger building that would help accommodate the growing class size.  Along with that, we thought we'd split and have two locations running.  When we did that, we received additional help from:  Netta Lealaitafea, Nicole Fiedler, Christina Magana, Sisilia Iongi, Teuila Aagard & Lila Latu.  By the end of the year, we decided to make it easier and not so confusing we went back to one location - Glendale. In addition to a growing class, we added a few more instructors:  Maki Chavoya, Sela Misinale, Souna Vea,  Billie Sosi, Ame Te'o & Liu Vakapuna.  Shortly after adding these amazing individuals to our EMZ Instructors line-up, we decided it would be best to set a 'cap' on who teaches daily at EMZ.  In addition to Zumba, we have Nola Tu'aone who does a 15-20 stretch class prior to EMZ at 5:00 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Why the cap?  A one hour class consists of an average 15-17 songs depending on length.  On average, we have 8 or so show up each morning to teach.  If you do that math, that equals roughly 2 songs for each person.  We felt it would only be fair.  Now if everyone shows up, that means no song to one each.  Do you see why the cap?

Each instructor who currently teaches adds a different flair to the group..whether it's specializing in high flying kicks, hip-hop, axe, salsa, cumbia...tahitian, you name it, we have someone who covers that area.  I indeed am grateful for their help and all that they bring each morning.  Nothing but love, laughs & pure craziness!

If you haven't checked out a class, try it once...and be careful, you might be hooked!  :)

Tonight some of us will be teaching at the Liberty Tongan Ward -- not sure on the address, but you are welcome to check it out.  Class is at 7 pm tonight.

Much ofa's!
-Sinai-