- January 20, 2026
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Sarasota's Aimee Muldoon, a sculpt class instructor at Fly Dance Fitness, walked into her first class as an instructor filled with nerves.
She described the experience as “nerve wracking from a really positive place” as she wanted to make sure the clients enjoyed the vibe, energy and community.
She was joined by 11 clients and a handful of other dance instructors for the soft opening of the new Fly Dance Fitness location in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 15. The business eventually held its grand opening Jan. 17.
Fly Dance Fitness offers dance and fitness classes including So Fly Step, Sculpt Weights, Sculpt Circuits and Throw Down.
“It was a no-brainer for me when the opportunity arose to audition for the position, because I fell in love with it so much at headquarters (in Sarasota) that I almost couldn't picture myself doing anything else,” Muldoon said. “If I'm going to dance there, if I'm going to go to sculpt, if I'm going to be part of that energy, then I want to be part of giving it to other people, too.”
“That's what we all did, zero to 100,” said Tony Pinho, the owner of the Lakewood Ranch location. “Once you feel that feeling, it's like, ‘Let's go!'”
Pinho, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, has been with the company for six years and began his Fly Dance Fitness journey as a client attending classes. When the opportunity to franchise came up, he signed up.
“It's surreal,” Pinho said. “I don't know how to describe it — it's new, but it feels comfortable. I have an amazing staff and everything just feels like it was meant to be.”
Pinho stressed the importance of building a judgement free community within the space. He said as adults, he believes people are scared to try new things. He encourages anyone interested to try out one of the classes at Fly Dance Fitness, where those participating ranged in age from 17-72.
Sarasota's Jaynie Peterson has been an instructor for Fly Dance Fitness in Sarasota since 2019. She will continue to teach at that location and in Lakewood Ranch.
“We will always try to fit everyone's fitness level,” Peterson said. “That's important because, especially in an area like this with different age ranges, people have different injuries and things that we always work around. We want to cater to everyone.”
“It's those who feel comfortable enough to challenge themselves,” Pinho said. “A lot of the time, it's getting out of their heads and doing it.”
Bradenton's Madison Chuchla was a client who danced for a year before becoming an instructor in December. She comes from a dance and gymnastics background.
“I could be so stressed and overwhelmed with all the thoughts in my mind, but as soon as I walk through the doors, I'm just focused on the choreography,” Chuchla said. “I'm focused on the community. I'm focused on the music. It's an escape from whatever I'm dealing with outside.”
“It's not like we have to go teach a class,” Peterson said. "It's that we get to teach a class. We get to work in the place where people go to to avoid the real world and avoid work and all of those responsibilities that weigh heavy. You come in here, and even as an instructor, you leave feeling better after a class.”
Bradenton's Brady Jo Trombetta is an instructor at the studio. She appreciates that dancing and teaching is a “fun way of being healthy.”
Trombetta said she understands attending a class for the first time can be nerve-wracking but it’s important to remember that “everyone has a day one.”
“Everybody starts not knowing anything,” Trombetta said. “From my experience and what most people have told me, it doesn't take that long to get past those day one jitters. Even when you're still new to it, you immediately feel that sense of belonging and family. Confidence kind of skyrockets from first class to third class. Once you've been to three or four classes, you understand the format. You recognize the instructors and it makes it easier to be a part of it and follow along.”
“Even if you think you're not a dancer — if you're dancing, you're a dancer,” Peterson said. “Come on in and try it.”
