Cynergi, powered by Eurosport, in St Julian’s, have just launched Funky Dance Mania, a series of new classes comprising dance and stretch.

The class instructor is Grazielle Camilleri, dancer, fitness instructor, choreographer and presenter.

Funky Dance Mania classes are open to men and women of all ages. “They are right for those who have never danced before as well as those who have but prefer the atmosphere of a gym to that of a dance school”. The dance class consists of 20 minutes of warm up stretching. “Then, half way through, we go into dance mode! I adapt the style of dance to the age group making up the class.

“This may be groovy, modern, salsa, cha cha cha, in fact any style of dancing so long as the class moves to the right music,” says Grazielle.

Dance classes are held on Tuesdays from 5.45pm to 6.45pm while stretch classes are on Mondays from 7.30pm to 8pm. This is the last class after aerobics and abdominal classes with Martin Azzopardi.

“It is ideal, because stretch is so relaxing and perfect for loosening up after some tougher gym classes,” she said.

Grazielle, who has danced since the age of eight, says that dance is her passion. As a child, she began dancing lessons with Alison White.

She later joined YADA College of Jazz and received further training in the UK at Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden. While in the UK she was cast in the theatre production The King of Rythm.

Back in Malta, Grazielle has accompanied singers in the Eurovision Song Contest and has held lead dance roles in various musicals. In February, she was cast as lead dancer in the musical Fame.

She also has experience in choreography and presentation of TV programmes. Versatile, and experienced as she is, Grazielle is certainly a welcome new member of Cynergi’s team of highly experienced instructors.