Zumba: Beto Perez & Alberto Perlman

Accidental Start

The story of Zumba begins with an unexpected twist when Beto Perez, a dancer from Cali, Colombia, accidentally left his aerobics music at home. Instead of canceling the class, he improvised with a cassette of Latin music, creating a fusion of aerobics and dance that his students loved 1. This serendipitous moment sparked the idea for Zumba, which Beto decided to pursue as a career.

I started the class, and everybody loved it. In this moment, I discovered it. I said to myself, I need to do this for my life. I love it. It's so cool.

--- Beto Perez

He continued teaching this new style in Cali, where it gained popularity, prompting him to try his luck in the United States 1.

   

Miami Expansion

Beto's journey to establish Zumba in Miami was fraught with challenges, including language barriers and initial rejections. Despite these obstacles, he persevered, returning to Miami multiple times until he finally secured an audition at a gym 2. During this audition, gym-goers mistook it for a class and joined in, creating an impromptu party atmosphere that lasted an hour.

I played the music and said, please God help me. And I started the party. And people smiled, had a good time. And the rest is history.

--- Beto Perez

This successful audition led to a masterclass opportunity, marking the beginning of Zumba's expansion in the U.S. 2.