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The Relational Dance of Salsa, brings participants on a unique interactive experience to explore the cultural influences of connectivity through the lens of Latino music and dance. This workshop expl... Read more

The Relational Dance of Salsa, brings participants on a unique interactive experience to explore the cultural influences of connectivity through the lens of Latino music and dance. This workshop explores the artistic cultural and environmental characteristics of varying regions including Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, North America, South America, and the Middle East. First, students are asked to form a circle with the instructor and attending staff. The circle encourages communal contact between instructor, staff, and students, as well as emphasizes the connection to traditional cultural practices of artistic expression and modern cultural movements. Next students and staff participate in 4-5 nonstop structured instructor lead activities that include: 1) Salsa, age-appropriate dance choreography (1 song). Students are dancing following the instructor's leading steps. 2) Bachata and Merengue, age-appropriate dance choreography (2 songs). Students are dancing following the instructor's leading steps. -opportunity for creative expression (1 song). Students are encouraged to dance and contribute movements. Before each activity, a brief explanation of the geographic region where the song or dance originated will be discussed and lyrics in other languages will be translated. Each of the activities is brief and easy enough to spark interest in further exploration and celebrates students who have recently come from the various regions. Participants will also develop skills in relational intelligence such as effective communication, encouraging trust, problem solving, and empathy.