Strong Voices

Hope Johnstone is one of only a few people in the world with Down syndrome who is a certified Zumba instructor.

For Hope Johnstone, Zumba is life! The 32-year-old from Invercargill has been attending Zumba classes for more than a decade and last year qualified as a registered instructor with a worldwide certificate.

Her reason was straightforward: “I wanted to be a Zumba instructor to make people happy and feel good,” she says.

And when Hope says “people”, she means everyone. The two Zumba with Hope classes she leads each week as an IHC volunteer are inclusive, free and open to all.

There are usually between seven and ten people at each class. There’s upbeat music (Miley Cyrus is a favourite) and plenty of room to move, as well as a few extra touches – disco lights, lasers and, on one memorable occasion, a smoke machine operated by her mum Darlene.

“It set the fire alarm off,” Hope laughs.

Darlene helps with music, effects and has produced a range of merchandise – all proudly branded “Zumba with Hope”.

“We wanted these classes to be free – to be accessible for everybody,” says Darlene. “Apart from the room’s capacity, we don’t want any barriers.”

Becoming a Zumba instructor was no easy feat. Super-fit Hope completed an intensive 12-hour training day and passed an exam.

She was driven by more than just the goal of earning a qualification. For her, it was also about showing that people with disabilities can be leaders in their communities.

Now, with support from local IHC staff, Hope is stepping confidently into a leadership role and demonstrating what inclusive leadership can look like.

“Disability doesn’t mean people can’t achieve,” she says.

“And it’s important for me to show people there’s always something to give back,” she says.

Volunteering has been part of Hope’s life since she was a teenager, helping out at a weekly music programme for young children. She also previously volunteered at a rest home.

“Hope has a lot of empathy,” says Darlene. “She has a special gentleness that makes people feel safe.”

News of Hope’s Zumba classes is spreading, mostly through word-of-mouth, and Hope and Darlene are creating a vibrant online community.

Zumba with Hope brings people together, builds their confidence and makes sure nobody is side lined. So it looks like, for a growing number of people, Zumba really is life!

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Above (L-R): Hope with Zumba class participants Faith and Jacqui.

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