Albertossy Espinoza has spent his life performing as a dancer, actor and choreographer. In 2004, he developed a unique fitness workout he calls Latin Rhythm Cardio (LRC) and he’s bringing it to Banning, starting Oct. 5.
“I created it when I started teaching at 24 Hour Fitness,” he said. “Ironically, it was right before Zumba hit it big. It is my own version of Zumba, but not with set choreography. I incorporate more fitness/cardio workout into it.”
Classes will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the San Gorgonio Ballet, 240 W. Ramsey St., and the cost is $5 per session. He said the environment is fun and friendly and he works with all levels. Classes are open to all ages but Espinoza suggests kids be at least 10 years old.
“It is quite a workout but I always ask students to do it at their own pace, especially in the beginning,” he said. “I’ve had a 10-year-old and a 60-plus-year-old in the same class all the time.”
Espinoza encourages students to work at their own pace and not feel compelled to go as fast as he does or do something they don’t feel they can do.
“It is always different but it is always done to Latino music,” he said.
Espinoza was born in Ecuador and raised in Chicago, where his dance career began as a theater dance major at Northern Illinois University. After just three semesters, he was scouted by the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater and offered a scholarship to join the company.
He continued to tour nationally and internationally with a few different companies and also taught abroad. He moved to Los Angeles 17 years ago to pursue an acting career.
“I was an established dancer so it was quite a risk I took,” said Espinoza. “I started from ground zero in a city I did not know but it has been worth it. I am currently realizing a dream of performing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, one of the finest stages in Los Angeles. To make it more special, it is under conductor Maestro Placido Domingo. I was invited by the LA Opera to perform in their production of ‘Carmen’.”
San Gorgonio Ballet Artistic Director Julia Olsen-Rodriguez has known Espinoza for years and danced with him in 2011 for an LA production. She hired him to dance at her company’s anniversary gala in June. Espinoza taught a master dance class during a summer workshop in Banning and will now be joining the staff as a Modern Dance instructor.
“He has become a wonderful dance partner and a very dear friend to me,” said Olsen-Rodriguez.
Espinoza, who founded the Los Angeles FUSION Dance Theater in 2004, welcomes the opportunity to expand his mission of changing lives and introducing people to a healthy way of life.
“I respect Julia tremendously and for me it is an excuse to see her more often and to possibly create some work together,” he said.
The LRC class offers conditioning, fitness and weight loss opportunities.
“They can lose between 600 to 800 calories per class,” said Espinoza. “For those who want to tone and work on endurance, this class will help with that, too. It is what you make of it. Just come join the fun.”
Information, 951-922-8820 or www.sangorgonioballet.org.
If you have an idea for an Inland People profile, contact Assistant Metro Editor Jan Sears at 951-368-9477 or jsears@PE.com.
INLAND PEOPLE
ALBERTOSSY ESPINOZA
RESIDENCE: Los Angeles
NOTABLE: He has incorporated his dance expertise into a unique fitness class in Banning.
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