Larissa Estrella

The family story is that I was dancing before I was
even born. As the tell goes, my mother had gone to celebrate her birthday at a
Merengue party while expecting me when her contractions began. A few hours
later, I was born in Ocoa, a small town in the Dominican Republic.  You
can say that this passion has followed me throughout my life, from dancing to
the rhythms of the pots in the kitchen as a child to always shaking it to the
sounds of music around the house whenever possible. I love how music takes over
me and lets the sounds and beats reverberate through my body.  So when I
first discovered Zumba about five years ago, I knew I had found the perfect
workout; it not only spoke to my affinity for music and dancing, but it also
touched upon my cultural roots.

The
more I got into the wonderful world of Zumba, the more I began making other
connections and making new trans-formative discoveries about myself. Through
Zumba I have found self empowerment to freely express myself with all my
imperfections while gaining a family of incredible friends who share similar
hopes, dreams and love.

As
a Zumba instructor, I want to share my passions and serve as a bridge to
transform and help others discover their own. My goal is to inspire, share my
energy and make Zumba a life changing experience, one where you can find a
comfortable place to have fun, let loose  and inspire. “There’s no
right or wrong steps in Zumba.  As long as you are moving and
having fun, you are doing the right thing." This is what my Zumba
trainer used to say. I want this to serve as my motto to help my students in
their journey in Zumba no matter at what level.

I
hold a B.A in Social Cultural Anthropology from George Washington University.
When I'm not doing zumba, or spending quality time with my family, I'm in my
creative corner designing my t-shirts or working in some kind of art project
:-)