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ABOUT THE BBX
TEAM
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photo: Kate Szatmari
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DEDE BARBANTI - Creator and Chief Executive Officer
Dede's love for dance began at a very young age which led her to perform in various shows and exhibitions as a child. Wanting to go further in her dance career and excel at her art form, she then joined the ballroom industry and began extensive training and competition in American Rhythm and International Latin Dance with some of the top coaches in the Dancesport Industry. As much as she loved the ballroom industry she felt a void wanting to be able to express her art form through her own choreography incorporating all the styles in which she has been trained; Hip Hop, Afro-Cuban and Latin dance. This eventually led her to form her own Dance Company, "Yemaya" an all female dance troupe. Yemaya had tremendous success performing at the Pro Bowl, for Carlos Santana, Magic Johnson Benefit, Women on Cable awards, Estilo Magazine, Hot Tamales live shows, various shows around Los Angeles and a whirl wind tour in Europe.
When Dedelle became pregnant with
her first child she decided to take a leave from dance in
order to dedicate herself to her family. She worked
successfully as a choreographer and dance instructor for over
10 years. During her retirement she trained in many forms of
martial arts; Muy Thai, Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Her love for
martial arts was as passionate as her love for dance, which of
course took her on the course to begin training for
tournaments. However, she was then blessed with her second and
then third child. Three children later and with the
encouragement of many of her friends Dedelle decided to return
to her choreography roots. This time she wanted to take it
into another direction...Fitness. As an avid exercise buff she
once again wanted to incorporate all of her training in dance
and martial arts and create a new form of aerobic exercise
that she felt would appeal to the fitness industry. And so
Boogie Box was born!!
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photo: Sara Wilkins |
KATHY LAMM - Chief
Operating Officer
Kathy has been a group exercise
instructor for many years and has taught numerous formats,
including Turbo Kick, Mat Pilates, Group Sculpting/Strength
Training, Interval classes, Indoor Cycle, Step, Boot Camp and
Hi/Low Aerobics. She is certified by the American Council on
Exercise (ACE) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of
America (AFAA) and continually receives an extensive amount of
industry training.
Kathy also has an extensive
background in the employee benefits industry with over 22
years of professional experience. Her previous experience
includes the establishment of retirement plan operational
units for two large mutual fund companies. She has managed the
benefits department of two large corporations and served a
benefits consultant for several small businesses. She holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and an MBA
from Pepperdine University. She also holds several
professional certifications, designations and affiliations
both within the employee benefits industry and the fitness
field.
After 22 years in the corporate world, Kathy decided it was time to focus on her children and try something new. After a personal acquaintance introduced her to Dede Barbanti and Boogie Box, she was hooked. Kathy's goal is to use both her business and fitness industry experience to help introduce Boogie Box to the rest of the world!
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photo: Shannon
Leith |
PACO
EVANGELISTA - Asst. Creative Director
Paco has had over 15 years as one
of the most successful Latin dancers and Instructors in the
World. His career began as a child performing for the top
children's performance groups "LA Salsa Kids" evolving to
perform for the world renowned Salsa Dance Company, "Salsa
Brava." His style and talent made him stand out above
the other dancers; the Creator and Director of Salsa Brava,
Joby Vasquez, immediately took notice and this led to a
successful solo career with her as his partner. His career as
a dancer sky rocketed making him one of the most successful
Latin dancers in World with producers and promoters alike
contracting him to perform in Italy, Spain, Japan, Malaysia,
London, Brazil, Austria, Australia, Curacao, Ireland, Canada,
Puerto Rico and South America as well as tours within the
United States.
He has performed for such artists
as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Carlos Vives, Shakira and Thalia.
His talents have been featured on the Latin Grammy Awards,
Sabado Gigante as well as many videos. He has served as
Director for well know Latin Dance Company "1 Vicious to
Mambo," He is the current Director of "LA Fusion Dance Co.,";
and has served as judge for several world renowned Latin Dance
Competitions such as the annual World Mayan Competition and
Salsa Congresses just to name a few.
After being contacted by Dedelle he
was excited to enter into Fitness world as Asst. Creative
Director of Boogie Box Fitness.
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