Gina was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas -42 yrs old and mother of 2 boys: 19 and 12
Favorite Dance Style: All of them!
Gina’s Specialty: Salsa Dancing, and ZUMBAR ! She also loves choreographing Hip Hop and specialty dance routines for wedding couples as seen on TLC’s Rock Your Reception.
Gina’s love of dance and music began at the age of 5 when her mother enrolled her in ballet, tap, and jazz classes at Young World Studios. From that point, dance and music was always center stage in her life. After Young World, Gina continued dance education through her senior year of high school at Cindy Johnson’s School of Dance in Wichita, Kansas.
1986-1991
After High School and at the age of 18, Gina began training with Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios. After training for 6 months Gina was privileged to partner with the studios Dance Director. They formed a professional dance partnership and competed in the American Rhythm and American Smooth. Gina and her partner competed in several regional and national dance events in Wichita Ks, Kansas City MO, St Louis MO, Las Vegas NV, and Miami, Fl. Gina also trained with top coaches and dancers to hone her teaching and dance skills including: Terri and Rosendo Fumero-Former National American Smooth Champions as well as with Susie Thompson & Forrest Vance-Former National American Rhythm Champions. Gina worked especially close with Susie as she worked in the same dance studio.
2006-present
More recently Gina’s love of dance and music became a major part of her life and career again with teaching fitness. Looking for something personally to help motivate her to workout and feel better, Gina found ZumbaR and has yet to look back! She became licensed to teach ZumbaR in December of 2006 and brought ZumbaR to Care to Dance Studio and Wichita in October of 2007. ZumbaR not only helped Gina to lose 20 lbs but it also helped ignite her passion to begin teaching dance again!
Here’s what a few of Gina’s students have to say:
“I have taken group classes and Zumba from Gina. It has been a great experience and I never thought I would come so far. I started out just taking Zumba with my mom, which I immediately loved. Gina's attitude and commitment kept me coming back. She is always doing something crazy or funny to keep class interesting. After about a month of non stop Zumba I thought about taking some group classes at Care to Dance. I had never done any sort of dance before but Gina was very encouraging so I decided to try it out. I started taking her beginner salsa group class on Tuesdays. It was so fun and I loved to stay after and watch Gina and Dan dance during their advanced salsa class. I had to leave for college in the fall but whenever I was back on breaks I would stop in for one of Gina's Zumba classes or to watch her dance at "Dancing with the Local Stars." By Christmas break I was so ready to be back dancing and started taking private lessons from Dan. Gina has been very helpful in her spare time helping me remember steps I learn and I am still doing group classes as well. In the short time I have known Gina she has become a great friend and has offered lots of help with my dancing“. -Jacqueline Kelley
“THE FIRST CLASS I EVER TOOK UNDER GINA WAS ZUMBA, HER ENERGY LEVEL WAS INCREDIBLE,ALONG WITH HER DANCING ABILITY,AND STRONG OUTGOING PERSONALITY. ATTENDANCE TO HER CLASS BECAME A REGULAR 3 TIMES A WEEK EVENT, LEADING ME INTO PRIVATE DANCE LESSONS. GINA IS A VERY TALENTED DANCE INSTRUCTOR AND HER TEACHING TECHNIQUES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES“-. PAT THOMPSON
“When I was a young girl, I wanted to grow up to be a dancer! Well, that didn't happen; in fact, I never even had a single lesson. So, when a friend invited me to a Salsa class 9 months ago, I was intrigued. One class, and I was hooked! I'm certain that Gina's expertise, both as a dancer, and a teacher, is a big reason why I go back, week after week. Gina makes the classes fun, and always presents the new steps in a way that it is very easy to grasp. She is enthusiastic, friendly, and patient with everyone. I always look forward to Tuesday night!”- June Trieb
"Doesn't matter if you are just starting or an experienced dancer you are guaranteed to have a blast! Gina always brings an energy that makes every class/lesson fun and enjoyable no matter how difficult it may be. I have learned a lot since I first started lessons and I can assure you I have absolutely enjoyed every minute of it!-Kevin Hagerman