FOR THE US EAST VS. WEST CLASS

Stacie Barnes certified as an instructor in 1999 and has 20 years of teaching experience. She owns a Premier Jazzercise Fitness Center in Louisville, Kentucky and works as an Assessment Coordinator for the Training and Development Team. Stacie has attended many Jazzercise events over the years and confesses that she still gets teary-eyed at every single one! She stays busy and loves spending time with her hubby, 11-year-old daughter and dog named Dudley.

Fun Fact: Stacie loves chocolate! She went to Baking & Pastry Arts School and dreams of opening her own bakery someday.

Hayley Cepeda was 16 years old when she attended her first Jazzercise class, and even though her feet got tangled during a jazz square, she was hooked! Four years later she completed her instructor certification at Fort Bend Jazzercise. In 2006 she moved to North Carolina where she currently teaches at Jazzercise Chapel Hill. Hayley has now been teaching for 18 years and her enthusiasm and love for the program has only grown with time.

Fun Fact: Hayley has two amazing kids who help her learn routines and sometimes even help pick out songs for her sets.

Deb DeMeo is an Assessment Coordinator and Owner of Jazzercise Hamden Fitness Studio in Connecticut. First certified in 1997, teaching Jazzercise has helped provide balance in her life, in addition to being a high school math teacher and mother of twin teenage girls. Deb has contributed articles to the Elevate Newsletter and loves having the opportunity as an Assessment Coordinator to help Jazzercise instructors all over the world challenge their customers in every class.

Fun Fact: Deb was a member of the Kickline Dance Team at Siena College and performed at Madison Square Garden during the halftime show of the 1994 NIT Basketball Tournament.

Kristen Fairbend has been an instructor for more than 15 years. She was a long-time Associate in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area before moving south in 2015. She now owns a Premier Center in Watkinsville, Georgia. Kristen earned her BS in Accounting and works full-time as a Controller, managing the finance function of a commercial interiors company. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Rick, and fun-loving pup, Kensie.

Fun Fact: Kristen worked as an Accounting Manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 13 years where she was fortunate to attend three Super Bowls. She now has two Super Bowl rings and her name engraved on two Lombardi trophies!

Keysha Garner took her first Jazzercise class in March of 2008 and became a certified instructor later that year. Keysha currently teaches in Bowie, Maryland and recently changed careers and became a jetsetting flight attendant. On her layovers, Keysha has been able to take Jazzercise classes all over the country. No matter where she goes, she feels a welcoming sense of comfort—proof that the love of Jazzercise knows no boundaries.

Fun Fact: Keysha LOVES coffee and lives by the phrase, "but first, coffee." She says the best cup o' joe she’s ever had was in Tokyo!

Jenny Minnaert took her first Jazzercise class when she was 16 years old and became an instructor in 2008. In addition to her position as an Associate in Illinois, Jenny is also a member of the Instructor Development Team. Jenny says she lives life in "beautiful chaos" as an Assessment Coordinator, salon owner and a mom to a sweet and sassy 7-year-old.

Fun Fact: She vacuums the house every day. According to Jenny, “Who doesn’t love those vacuum lines in the carpet?”

Lisa Silver is a proud Class Owner and Instructor from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Lisa serves as a Training Specialist and Assessment Coordinator and has been teaching Jazzercise for 14 years! Traveling the country to visit Jazzercise communities and working with new franchisees bring her “so much joy.” Other things that make her smile are her family and friends, days at the beach and tacos with margaritas (her birthday is Cinco de Mayo!).

Fun Fact:Lisa’s 8 year old son, Kyle, adores Jazzercise as much as she does. He practices routines with her, memorizes collections (helping mama put her sets together!) and already says he wants to be an instructor!

Jennifer Butler is the owner of the Jazzercise Midlothian Premier Center in Texas where she leads a team of 15 instructors. Jennifer has been an instructor for 13 years and works closely with instructor candidates at her center during their new franchisee training, as well as teaching eight classes each week. She is a sideline-cheering soccer mom to her son and plays chauffeur for her daughter.

Fun Fact: She lets her crazy friends talk her into running half marathons in her free time.

Brittney Chugg is the Owner of Jazzercise Harrisville Fitness Center in Utah. She has been teaching classes since 2012 and enjoys helping people find their passion. She loves to take on new adventures and believes anything is possible with a little hard work. When she's not busy teaching classes, she's keeping up with her husband of 12 years and three boys (ages 8, 8 and 6).

Fun Fact: Brittney earned her bachelor’s degree at age 20 and went on to work as a 911 dispatcher for eight years. She is now relieved to have a job that allows her to sleep through the night.

Lavonne Favors became a Jazzercise instructor in 2009. She taught classes at two Jazzercise Premier centers in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area for eight years. Lavonne is a critical care RN and worked as a travel nurse before relocating to San Diego, California, where she is currently teaching at College Area Jazzercise. She has two beautiful daughters and three adorable grandchildren.

Fun Fact: in 2008, Lavonne lost 70 lbs through healthy eating and Jazzercise three to four times per week. In 2009 she certified as an instructor!

Jenn Holderness fell in love with Jazzercise "at first dance" and certified exactly three months after taking her first class. Jenn works in the Training and Development department and serves as both Training and Development Specialist and Assessment Coordinator. As a registered dietitian, she strives to help others lead healthier and happier lives every day.

Fun Fact: Jenn rises before the sun each day at 4 a.m. to sip coffee, enjoy the silence and mentally prepare for the day. The early bird catches the worm, right?

Dana Pankonin has been a Jazzercise Instructor for 14 years and recently joined the Training and Development Team as an Assessment Coordinator. In 1999, Dana left her native Nebraska to move to Colorado to establish her family. With her husband, son and daughter's support, she became a Jazzercise Instructor in 2005. In 2014, Dana's energy and competitive spirit motivated her to build a successful Jazzercise business in Fort Collins, Colorado where she continues to share her passion for fitness.

Fun Fact: Dana took her first surfing lesson in Oceanside, California where she was yelled at by her instructor, Fonzie, for not "catching on.” She's never lived this down with her family. Who has a surfing instructor named Fonzie anyway?

Tonia Senoo has been a Jazzercise Instructor for over two years and teaches at the Oceanside and Carlsbad, CA locations. In the past Tonia flew regional jets for the airlines, but these days you’ll find her navigating mom life with three little ones, managing rental properties and doing all sorts of handiwork in and out of the house.

Fun Fact: Tonia is an artist on and off the dance floor—she loves to paint everything from murals to surfboards.