Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan Ponce.
Meagan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began instructing about 6 years ago, shortly after my first child was born. I was a stay at home mom who was looking for a way to earn some money, and get back in shape. I had heard about this ZUMBA thing that really wasn’t as popular as it is now. I found a training, (they didn’t even train in Chicago back then), and that was 3 hours away in Smalltown, Indiana. I went and took the ZUMBA training and got certified.
I walked into a yoga studio 2 days later to get more info on the studio. I happened to mention that I just gotten certified and I learned they needed a ZUMBA instructor. I was hired on the spot, but I had nothing to teach! It was Wednesday, and they wanted me to start Monday. That weekend I went to my mom’s house and held up in her mirrored basement. She watched my son while I crammed 12 new pieces of choreography into my head. I did start that Monday, and I grew my class time slot from nothing, to the most attended of the dance fitness classes.
Fast forward a couple of years. I attended a Beyoncé concert and was floored. I was so inspired to integrate R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, and those types of moves into my classes. I began to add contemporary, popular songs to my class. I hid exercises in the moves, and made more ‘dancey’ choreography, as opposed to the traditional aerobic, repetitive choreography that marks a usual ZUMBA class.
I decided to not baby my students. I realized that the more I expected from them, the more they rose to the occasion. I got rid of the easy steps, and replaced them with more challenging, genuine dance moves. People were having a ball… AND losing weight/getting in shape. I began to have a following. They really liked what I was doing!
Everyone I met would tell me about the ZUMBA classes they had been to, and how mine was “different”. So I decided to go ahead and call what I did something different. I landed on DANCEYTUDE because in my class you dance with attitude. Now I’m called to teach/perform all over the city — from University of Chicago to the Millennium Park Summer Workouts to performing in front of a crowd of 20,000 for Broadway in Chicago, representing Gloria Estefan’s ‘On Your Feet!’ It’s been an amazing ride thus far!
From a stay at home mom wondering who would pay me to get into shape AND watch my baby while I did it, to teaching something I’ve loved since forever.
Has it been a smooth road?
It wasn’t all smooth.
As I became more popular, my biggest hurdle was to be ok with leaving my son with a particular gym’s child care. Up until then, it had only been he and I — no babysitters, ever. But it turned out great. He was socialized with other kids, and he was my road dog. Many times he would come into classes with me. At one point, he knew every last piece of choreography there was. I would travel around the city to teach, and everyone knew him, and later my daughter. I would teach class, go into the childcare to have the lunch I packed for us together, and then I would go back out to workout. It was kind of like a free daycare. They were happy and had fun. I was happy, had some healthy time to myself AND had my kids with me. And that was everything. I literally created a niche for myself, and my family where there was none — nor could I have planned it if I tried.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Danceytude story. Tell us more about the business.
DANCEYTUDE is Chicagoland’s newest one stop dance and fitness resource encompassing group fitness, dance classes, and special event choreography! DANCEYTUDE offers a variety of dance and fitness options. Whether you’re looking for a class for your fitness group, a private class or special event choreography (first dance, birthday surprise, etc.), you are in the right place. With DANCEYTUDE you simply take a look at the fitness options and create your fitness vision.
It’s not just a dance company, it’s a new way to exercise! Meagan’s choreographed-based routines inject genuine dance steps into a fun-filled atmosphere that’s sure to make you feel like a real dance star. Enjoy an amazingly fun and high-intensity workout that secretly incorporates major muscle group and core fitness movements to build a rock solid body that you’ll simply love! It’s so addicting; you’ll forget you’re also getting the workout of your life at the same time!
I’m most known for making dance fitness classes fun and exciting, and I am truly proud of the ‘challenging but fun’ reputation my class has. People come from all over to dance with me. My dance ability and choreography is what sets me apart from other instructors.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In all honesty, I don’t see dance fitness going anywhere. There will always be new music and new moves to incorporate. People will continue to look for new ways to get their cardio in without always hopping on the treadmill.
I think the key is to keep things fresh and exciting — everyone likes being a part of a dynamic class that is full of energy.
As for DANCEYTUDE, I am ramping things up a notch. I will be starting a blog and launching an online store, as well as continuing with teaching around the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danceytude.com
- Email: danceytude@email.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/danceytude
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/danceytude
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/danceytude-chicago
Image Credit:
Elisha Hall
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
