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Neighbor News

The Zoom Zumba Queen of Delmarva

When Covid19 hit Delmarva, Zumba Instructor, Joyce Landsman, learned how to zoom to keep her students healthy and happy.

Marie Stone, Local Nonprofit
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Zumba Instructor, Joyce Landsman, on Zoom teaching Zumba during covid-19. (Victoria Gaither: International Connection Media)
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Showing off her Zumba moves, Zumba Instructor, Joyce Landsman, is all smiles for her photo shoot. (Victoria Gaither: International Connection Media)
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Joyce Landsman back in the day in her Playboy Bunny outfit. She was close to being in a local Playboy magazine. (File of Joyce Landsman)
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Joyce holding a lists of emails that she sends out daily for her Zoom Zumba classes. (Victoria Gaither: International Connection Media)
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In her office, teaching Zumba on Zoom. (Victoria Gaither: International Connection Media)

Selbyville, Delaware

To spend time with Zumba Instructor, Joyce Landsman, you need lots of energy! She moves fast even when at home for this interview. "I do stop for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune," says the former school teacher. Joyce teaches Zumba on Zoom to 125 people. "I was scared to death. I never heard of zoom or teaching over the internet." But, "when all classes got canceled because of coronavirus on March 20th. I went on the computer to learn Zoom." She admits it was hard at first, and learning something new wasn't on her lists of things, but maintaining a relationship with her students and some are seniors in their 70's Joyce couldn't give up.
"For many of them, my Zoom Zumba was the only normal thing in their life. Coronavirus took everything away from people." An email from student Lynn explains how much Joyce means to her and other students during Covid19 "You made being at home a lot more bearable and fun. I always wanted to see what outfit you had on."
You never know what crazy or bright Zumba outfit Joyce will wear.
During the interview, you can't help but notice a picture on the wall in her office with Joyce wearing a Playboy Bunny outfit. "Okay, I'll tell you the story. "I needed to earn extra money to pay bills, and my then ex-husband egged me on to take photos for a local Playboy magazine shoot, and I did it but never got the photoshoot because the other two bunnies dropped out." You can hear in her voice the regret over never being in the magazine. "I was proud of briefly being a bunny because being a Playboy bunny was big," says Joyce.
She still has a gorgeous smile and long legs to match! Joyce is teaching Zumba not only on Zoom but also at Coastal Fitness in Ocean City, Maryland, Ocean Pines, Maryland, Plantation Lakes in Delaware, and Millville, Delaware. "I would go nuts without Zumba. I don't charge for my Zoom classes, so anyone can take it as long as you have a computer and a will to move," says Joyce as she smiles and fires up her computer to show me her moves. To learn more email Joyce at zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

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