By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Jazzercise is celebrating 40 years in Geneseo.

Michelle Glazier introduced the dance/fitness program in Geneseo after attending a Jazzercise class in Moline. She said after that first class, “I knew I was meant to be a Jazzercise instructor!”

She became certified in May of 1983.

In celebration of the 40 years of Jazzercise, Glazier and her 14 instructors will teach a Theme Dance with a performance routine to PINK”S new song, “Never Not Gonna Dance Again.” The class is from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Jazzercise Center, 215 Smith St., Geneseo, on Illinois Route 82. Doors will open at 7:40 a.m. on May 6.

The May 6 schedule:

-7:40 a.m. – Doors open.

-8 a.m. – Geneseo Fit Pro Team presents Cardio Sculpt class themed “Dance!”

-8:50 a.m. – Geneseo Fit Pro Team Presents “Never Gonna Not Dance Again!”

-9 a.m. – “Booty with a Beat Tour!” – Three male Fit Pros from Chicago doing charity classes to raise money for a local charity).

-10 a.m. – Cheers to 30 & 40 years with a toast!

After the toast, there will be a drawing for six months of free Jazzercise and the person must be present to win.

In honor of May being National Mental Health Awareness month, the entry fee to participate in the Anniversary Celebration will be a donation to support Geneseo High School’s “The Gray Matters Club.”

The special Jazzercise sign-up offer on May 6 will be $40 for first two months of classes, a savings of $168.

In addition to celebrating 40 years of Geneseo Jazzercise, the event also celebrates 30 years of Jazzercise for Anne Sammons, who commented, “Exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.”

In commenting about celebrating 40 years of Geneseo Jazzercise, Glazier said, “I think the longevity of the program and the fact that Jazzercise has been around longer than any other aerobic dance fitness program speaks for itself.”

It certainly spoke to Glazier at that first class more than 40 years ago.

She has always been involved in some type of physical work out, from athletics and cheerleading when she was a student at Geneseo High School and later at Augustana College.

“I tried Jazzercise when it first came to Moline, taught by Mary Beth Ford,” she said.

After becoming certified in 1983, Glazier first taught classes both in Rock Island and Geneseo.

“After one year, I offered classes in Geneseo only,” she said. “In December of 1990 we built the current Jazzercise Center building, 215 Smith St., Geneseo. I had paid high rent for seven years at different locations in Geneseo and was always facing obstacles from no air conditioning to parking issues. One day my Dad, (the late Bill Rice), asked, ‘Why don’t you build your own place?’… and the rest is history!”

Fifty Jazzercise classes are offered each week at the Geneseo Fitness Center

Jazzercise is listed as one of the top 10 franchises, Glazer said. “The beauty and appeal of Jazzercise is the always changing routines. We dance and exercise to popular music with the latest dance moves in an easy to follow format. Jazzercise is definitely addicting!”