Huayla Lopez has long held onto one dream: create a space where women build community—a place to dance together, celebrate holidays, and find a home away from home.
As the founder of Key2 Dance and Fitness, located next to Domino’s Pizza in Key Biscayne’s Arcade Shopping Plaza, Huayla is on a roll.
Born and raised in Cuba, Huaila left her homeland in 1993 to compete as a roller skater in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico. Two years earlier, she won the silver medal in the 3000 meters event in Cuba. But she took something far more meaningful from her trip to Puerto Rico: a new life.
She decided not to return home. A Cuban family living in Puerto Rico, Morini, took her in. They treat her like a daughter.
“They were the cutest,” Huaila recalls. “They helped me in many ways, like taking me to the dentist and helping me get a job at a gym.” She used her skates to walk the five miles to work every day.
A few years later, the Morins helped Huaila navigate Key Biscayne. Their daughter Bebe Echarte lived on the island and Huaila accepted the invitation to stay with her.
Before long, Huaila began teaching aerobics on the island. Marilyn Miles got her started by offering Huayla a job in her studio at the Sonesta Hotel.
Huayla went on to take some classes at other gyms, including Body & Soul in South Miami. One of the other instructors at Body & Soul was Colombian dancer and choreographer Beto Perez, who created the famous Zumba fitness program. Huayla became one of the first certified Zumba instructors.
Huayla eventually began teaching at a community center, where she developed a loyal following. After ten years at the Center, Huaila took the leap and opened her own studio.
She lacked the funds to hire other instructors the first year, so she did everything herself. “I taught everything,” she recalls now with a laugh. “Zumba, body sculpting, weight training, personal training – everything!”
Now her studio is thriving. She credits her success to the generous help provided by others along the way. “Key Biscayne is an amazing community. I feel lucky because so many people came into my life,” she reflects. “For example, my client Marie pushed and inspired me to open my own studio.”
To say Huaila is passionate about her work is an understatement. She brings joy and a playful spirit to her classes. “I see all the people in the class happy and smiling, telling me how good they feel, how they come to the studio and forget the problems they face.”
Gerry Dardinsky is an example. Every year she escapes the Boston winters by spending three months on the Key. While here, she regularly attends Huaila’s classes. “My cardiologist is impressed—he tells me to keep doing Zumba,” she says with a laugh. “I love the camaraderie and the invigorating classes make me feel alive.”
Most mornings and some evenings you will find Huayla doing what she loves most: teaching her signature Huaylando dance class. She encourages everyone to explore dance, even those who have never tried it before. “Dancing is great exercise,” she points out. “It provides cardio and uses all your muscles. And dancing is fun! It makes you happier than many other types of exercise.
Although many of Hualia’s clients are women, her studio is open to all, and some classes are just for children. The full schedule is available at key2dance.com.
From a speed skater in Cuba to a dance teacher in Key Biscayne, Huaila has come a long way. We’re glad she made the trip.
Thanks to Lila Zipay for suggesting this topic.
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