Buffalo's Biggest Zumba Party is at Canalside! Here's Who's Leading the Pack
Three Buffalo fitness instructors came together eight years ago to begin what would become Buffalo's biggest Zumba workout party! Here's how it happened.
Eight years ago three fitness instructors from Buffalo, Jen Wright, Olivia Ebsary, and Meghan Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, met at Gold's Gym, now Catalyst Fitness on Werhle and Union in Williamsville, where they all worked together. Wanting to share their love for Zumba, an interval-based class where participants dance to a variety of international rhythms such as Cumbia, Salsa, and Bachata, Jen pitched the idea of starting an outdoor Zumba class to Buffalo Waterfront. From there, it was game on.
Video courtesy of Nicholas Picholas (@NICKinBUFFALO)
During the program's most active days, Zumba at Canalside, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, sees between 200 and 250 participants, Schimmelpenninck said.
Schimmelpenninck has been a fitness instructor for over 25 years. She began teaching a Step aerobics and total body sculpting class at her local YMCA and is now certified in Zumba, Zumba Toning, Pilates, Spinning, Will Power and Grace, Piloxing, and certified personal training.
She took her first Zumba class 10 years ago and fell in love with the format.
"Zumba is a unique format. Every class, every instructor's style, every playlist is different," she said.
Participants dance to a live DJ, Schimmelpenninck's husband, Nicholas Picholas of KISS 98.5, who mixes the beats for each jam and adds variety to each class.
Schimmelpenninck doesn't have a background in dance, but to join the dance party, you don't have to. Her moves and teaching style incorporate beneficial techniques and athleticism that are easy to follow as steps are repeated throughout the class.
