DYNAMIC DUO Jessica & Ryan’s Zumba class creates community
“Phenomenal,” “a smile on every face,” “beyond talented,” “the dream team,” “the best class I’ve ever taken”-- all unsolicited feedback from participants who have emailed in to gush about how much they love the Wednesday 6:05pm Zumba class at the ERC taught by Jessica Pickett and Ryan Jones. Pickett recruited Jones to teach group fitness classes after he became a regular in her classes last spring. Fast forward one year and they’re known fondly among their fans as “the twins” thanks to the matching outfits they often wear while co-teaching. Over the course of the spring semester, 378 participants have lined up outside the fitness studio to move and groove to the pair’s upbeat choreography. They both believe fitness should be fun, so it’s not hard to see why they’ve amassed a loyal following. Sometimes bringing in disco lights and glow sticks, Pickett and Jones say they aim to make their classes feel like a party to give students a place to escape daily stressors.
“We’ve gained a social community working at RecWell and a best friend in one another. And we get paid to make people smile!”
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