Shoppers got more than they bargained for in Wrexham thanks to mum-of-four Claire Tranmer.
But the surprised bargain hunters at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre soon got into the swing of things when a Zumba flash mob burst into life.
Shoppers were tapping their feet and swaying to the Latin beat as more than 40 youngsters and adults performed a 10 minute routine, designed to show what Zumba is all about.
As a qualified Zumba teacher, Claire is now running five classes a week through her Zumba Zoom company enticing people to “ditch the workout – join the party!”
“I was probably the first Zumba teacher in North Wales, now there seem to be hundreds,” said 42-year-old Claire who is trained in dance and drama.
Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class, where the emphasis is firmly on fitness.
“What we have showed today is what you can expect in our classes, it’s not a polished performance but we wanted to show people no matter what age they are, no matter what their fitness level, you can join in and have fun.
“It does not matter whether you have two left feet and if you feel you are unco-ordinated, you can still have access to a class.
“On average we get about 30 at each class but I would like more, particularly at Wrexham Memorial Hall where the venue is large,” said Claire.
She trained at the Elliott-Clarke College of Dance and Drama and worked for many years as a professional actor and dancer and is currently a freelance dance and drama practitioner in North Wales.
She worked with various touring theatre companies around the UK before helping set up the Cwmni Theatr Indigo, a bi-lingual Denbighshire-based community theatre group, which she ran as director for several years before her children came along.
Children are 13-year-old Myfannwy, a pupil at St Brigid’s Denbigh, where husband Adam is a drama teacher, Gabriel, a pupil at Llanfair DC primary, and Bili (corr) three, and Joseff, two.
“I also teach workshops and classes to private groups and functions ,” said Claire.
“Zumba classes are for everybody no matter what your ability. It really doesn’t matter if you’ve never danced or exercised before. I hope to make you feel comfortable enough to let your hair down for an hour and burn some calories!”
Helping Claire out on Saturday were 10 and 11-year-old pupils from Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, near Ruthin, fresh from their successful second place in a Zumba event at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Caernarfon.
Ten-year-old Alaw Hughes was one of the pupils from Ysgol Llanfair DC who was part of the successful Urdd team. “Claire comes to our school to give us classes. It’s really good fun and keeps us fit,” said Alaw, who led some sections of the dancing on Saturday at Wrexham.
Another Ysgol Llanfair DC pupil – and the only boy in the entire line-up on Saturday was 10-year-old Sam Evans from Pwllglas. “There are other boys in the group but some dropped out and others were ill. It’s a good way to keep fit,” said Sam.
Zumba was accidentally created by a Colombian aerobics teacher who turned up at a class one day, realized he had forgotten his usual music and instead improvised with some Latin music tapes he had in his car.
Claire’s classes are held at Pwllglas village hall Ruthin on Mondays from 7-8pm; Wrexham Memorial Hall, Bodhyfryd, Wednesdays 6.15-7.15pm; Zumba Golad classes for over 55’s at Llanfwrog Community Centre Thursdays 10-11am; Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd village hall, Ruthin, Thursdays 7.45-8.45pm; and Ruabon community centre Saturdays 10-11am.
For more details about Claire’s company visit www.zumbazoom.co.uk or about Zumba in general on www.zumba.com or contact Claire on [email protected] or mobile 0774238 0638.
