Meet Noelle Lopez, another vibrant and extremely interesting resident of the CWE. You may have seen her out and about with her Italian Greyhounds, Gracie and Kramer. The photo above was taken at the 2011 Halloween Dog Parade – unfortunately, all that's visible on one of the pups is the pink tutu. Noelle has lived in the neighborhood for 10 years working as a property manager and a Zumba instructor, which is how we met. Not one to cool her heels, she's recently gotten her real estate license and is working for Byrne & Associates Real Estate.
Her involvement in the neighborhood took a new turn last week when she was sworn in as a commissioner and secretary of the Central West End South Special Business District. When we spoke she was so excited to have been appointed to the Commission, and with her energy all I can say is hang on to your hats!
Noelle has danced all her life. She studied classical ballet with Alexandra Zaharias at the Alexandra Ballet Academy, and danced with the Missouri Concert Ballet Company. She was aware of Zumba classes in St. Louis but it wasn't until she attended a Fitness Convention in Las Vegas that she experienced the dance exercise firsthand. She was immediately hooked observing the toned bodies of the instructors and the predominately Latin music that inspires the dance/exercise routines.
After earning serveral Zumba teaching certificates locally, Noelle started her own classes in 2008. For the past five years she's been teaching Zumba at St. Louis University two to three times a week. She says the energy at the university is inspirational and has propelled her to host several charitable events at SLU that draw 200 to 300 people at a time. Those include Relay for Life (for cancer research), Dance Marathon for Miracle Kids, and a variety of other sorority sisters benefits.
In the immediate neighborhood Noelle is teaching a 9 a.m. Tuesday morning Zumba class at The Mahler Ballroom, on Washington just west of Euclid. The hour-long class is great for the body and the brain. Admittedly it takes a while to figure out the steps, but as long as you wiggle (a little or a lot) you'll catch on, and in the meantime, it's a terrific workout…no experience necessary. As Noelle says, "It melts pounds and stress and lifts up the hearts and souls of those who join the Zumba party!"
Zumba at The Mahler Ballroom, 9 a.m. Tuesdays, $10, $5 for students, contact Noelle Lopez via her website for more info, or just show up (bring water & a towel), 4915 Washington. Parking is available on site. A Monday night class is scheduled to begin on Cinco de Mayo. Noelle will provide the Sangria!