The Zumba Papis at The Dell JCC. Credit: Jolie Estes

By Mark Pattis 

Los Papis, also known as the Zumba Papis, have brought new energy and boundless smiles to the group exercise program at the Dell JCC. “Sergio and Andrew bring a dynamic to our staff and to our members, that is next level. It is contagious. You cannot walk out of class in a bad mood. It’s the best medicine for everybody, no matter what they are dealing with,” said Dell JCC Member Experience Director Lindsey Durnil.  

Their unique style has attracted a diverse group of participants to their class, and each person has a place. A mixture of the four core rhythms of Zumba: Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia and Reggaeton, combined with a “journey around the world” as they put it, blending hip-hop, belly dancing, Brazilian Funk, Flamenco and more. The dynamic duo teaches class together, one mirroring the class while the other dances with the class. 

It is a production every time the music starts. From their facial expressions to their body movements and exuberant matching outfits, it is impossible not to get swept up in the good vibes. Dell JCC member Kelly David said, “the Papis make everyone around them feel welcome and loved. You can’t help but smile when you are around them! I am so thankful they are at the JCC.”Their popularity grew so quickly that the Dell JCC moved the class from their group exercise studio into the Loewy Family Gymnasium to accommodate more than 50 participants each week.  

To help the Dell JCC celebrate the one-year anniversary of opening the building, the main attraction was a Mega-Zumba class led by Los Papis and attended by more than 130 members in the Epstein Family Community Hall. Sergio Rueda, one of the Los Papis members, described the class as “the single greatest class we ever led. We never had so much fun and never wanted it to end.” With guest performances from members who regularly attend their class, and the Dell JCC Fitness & Wellness Admin team, it was a spectacle. 

Andrew Delgado and Rueda’s story began when Delgado saw Rueda on stage of a Britney Spears concert in their home country Colombia, South America. Rueda found himself on stage after winning an intense competition to perform with Spears. Shortly after the concert, Delgado and Rueda reconnected and their relationship grew. 

Delgado began his teaching career as a boxing teacher, while Rueda began learning hip hop in Colombia. Seeking a life that was more accepting of the LGBTQ community, they came to America to lifeguard in Galveston, Texas. While North America provided the opportunity to be their authentic selves compared to life in Colombia, “The gulf was a different color than the crystal water in Colombia,” said Delgado. This was not exactly the fantasy they imagined.  

After four years in Galveston, they moved to San Antonio, Texas to each pursue a degree in computer science, which they are still pursuing today. Shortly after San Antonio, they moved to Austin in 2021, and at this time, they had never taught or even attended a Zumba class.  

One day they went to the local LA Fitness and saw a Ukranian woman, Valeriia Panova, teaching a Zumba dance class. Her energy matched theirs and they were instantly hooked. It started with them attending the six-person class, and eventually led to them co-teaching with her. Then Panova notified Delgado and Rueda that she needed to move to Houston and wanted them to take over the class and they had one week to get certified. Delgado describes their decision to take over the class as, “She brought us happiness, and the only way to continue with dancing and continue to generate that overwhelming feeling of happiness was to take over the class ourselves.” 

And so, Los Papis was born. There was a song called Safaera from Bad Bunny that has a line where the participants used to scream “Papi Si” and then eventually they became Los Papis. The LA Fitness class went from 6 to 60 participants in a few months. After attending a Zumba convention in Miami, they were impressed with the top-level dancers, but also realized that 90% of the instructors did not have the talent they did. This pushed them to want to teach more, elevate their social media, and overall reach.  

Delgado and Rueda’s friend reached out to the then Dell JCC Fitness and Wellness Manager, Lindsey Durnil, out of the blue, and told her “There are these two guys and if you don’t do anything else, you need to meet them. If you are growing a group exercise program, you need to have them here.” Durnil explained that she spoke so passionately about how they impacted and supported her through her wellness journey.  

At the Dell JCC, they say, “Community is our middle name,” and it is. What separates the organization from other gyms is the community element that they try to infuse into all their programs. The Zumba Papis inherently create community that connects a diverse group of people. They provide a space for members to be authentically themselves because they create that amongst themselves.  

“In Colombia being masculine was a necessity to feel safe,” said Delgado. “One of the main goals is to make the class accessible to different ages, races, religions, and genders. We are so grateful for the amazing community at the JCC that is so welcoming and allows us to feel safe. It is a two-way acceptance.” 

“The goal is to allow people to forget about what they are doing, watch us and all our theatrics and just party,” said Rueda. 

“Sergio and Andres (Andrew) have truly made a huge impact on my life. When I take their class, I feel happier and connected to my community. The energy is amazing and the joy they bring is palpable. No matter what is going on in my world, I feel happier after Zumba!” – Dell JCC Member Kerry Burris