Zumba Audition

As promised, I am blogging about my first Zumba audition. I was quite nervous about this whole thing. However, I was able to meet the person who is in charge of hiring instructors last Friday when my girlfriend Netta tried out. Before I go on, I must give credit where credit is due. I owe much to this girl because she plays a big role in my getting this audition. She emailed me last week asking if I would be interested. I told her sure. She tried out last Friday morning and I was there to meet Becky who is in charge of the hiring. Netta did an excellent job and I'm not just saying that because she's my friend and the person responsible for helping me out. She really is great and something I need to work on is cueing and this girl has it down.

Arrangements were made and the audition took place at an actual class that was being taught by another instructor. Class began at 8 pm and somewhere in the middle I would do a couple songs. I had all weekend to think about what songs I would do. Being a procrastinator, I thought about the songs, but really didn't make a decision. I guess you can say I like working under pressure. Really I don't but because I procrastinate, that's what happens. When I got off work which was roughly around 6 pm, I came home and tried to figure out which ones I would do. I knew for sure they had to be fast paced, fun and a routine I knew well. I decided on four songs: Mueve ese boom boom mama, Spring Love, Straight Up and Danca da Maozinha.

Since the audition was during a class, I figure why not invite my sisters. We would all get a great workout, have the opportunity to do Zumba with a new instructor and they would be there to cheer me on.

I picked up my two sisters Lani and Silia and we headed out around 7:30 pm. We arrived at the facility and the women working at the front desk were a little hesitant to let me in when I told them I was there to audition. Not wanting to make a scene, we went ahead and paid. In the meantime, they were running out of passes for the class. Kalo and Ema were not there yet. In fact they were still in the parking lot when the last pass was picked up. Becky finally arrived and we got things straightened out. She also allowed Kalo and Ema in.

Victoria, the Zumba instructor got everyone warmed up. She's pretty good. In fact, she was the same instructor that taught the 6 am class that Netta auditioned for. So going into this audition, I knew I would be teaching her class. Intimidating. When I met Becky last Friday, she mentioned that one thing she liked about Victoria is that she was able to let them know ahead of time the next move by using her mic. Well, I've never used a mic, which I would love to and can not wait. Second, my cueing is something I know I need to work on. You can pretty much guess, knowing all of that and this being the first audition for me, I was SO NERVOUS!

Halfway into class, we switched off. I began with my first song, music blasting, I was totally hyphed. I had my sisters cheering me on. During one part of the song, I kind of lost the class, but we kept going and made the best of it. Second song, something different and they seemed to have enjoyed it. I was about to do the third song, but to be quite honest, it's one that is a killer. I decided not to. I know, you're probably thinking and you want to be an instructor? Well, when you are the instructor, you know when to go full out and when to tone it back some so you can sustain your energy through out. Since I was trying out, I went full out and then some. LOL. For the third song, I decided to split the class in half. I'm not sure if this is something Victoria does, but it's something I do every now and then and thought I'd throw in.

We finished the class and to be quite honest, I wasn't sure how it would turn out. At the end, Becky took me aside and asked if I had a few minutes to talk. As we headed out the door, a few of the students that were there stopped by to say "thank you" and some complimented that I did great. One lady in particular said, "if you get hired, I will be there at your class". Becky turned to me as they walked off and said, "that's really a compliment because this night class is very picky". She had two openings she is trying to fill - a Wednesday night and a Friday morning class. I told her I could do Friday morning. I wish I could do the night class, but honestly, it's hard to take on a class in the evenings with my current schedule. One day. Just like one day I would hope to have my own studio.

I wanted to start next week, but I could tell they really needed someone. So I agreed to begin this Friday. Woohoo, my first paying Zumba job. Getting paid for getting fit and doing something you love, the best feeling ever!

Me

Ema

Kalo

Lani, Ema, Kalo and Silia
The best cheerleaders one can ever have!

Kalo with Victoria

Silia with Victoria

Us at the end. Sorry a little blurry.

Yes, I will see you again.
My new employer!