Dancing for Peace….Cultural Envoys Dance in La Paz

Okay, speaking as an athlete (yes dancers are athletes!), encountering extreme altitudes is a humbling experience. After our near collapse the first day from walking a half block uphill, Juli and I were excited to officially start our trip. We were ready to start kick-ball-changing, oxygen tanks at the ready just in case.

Our first stop was Capezio dance school under the direction of energetic Ceclia Pereira. The dance school is gorgeous – four studios of varying sizes, all painted in such a way that just makes your toes tap. The owner’s father converted the family home into a dance studio for his oldest daughter – the dancer of the family. Thought that was not Cecilia, she has embraced this art form and dedicated her life to creating a successful dance facility in La Paz. Working with her dancing hermana in Florida, Cecilia purchases dance supplies from the States and sells them in her academy. She also partners with organizations working to rescue street children. I am in awe of her dedication and energy and know that I have met a fellow soldier in this fight to save the world through dance. I feel led to stay connected and do something….I smell We Got Sole, Part Dos coming on!!

We were greeted warmly by about 70 students ranging from los chiquititos to los grandes. In two days of workshops, we taught Hip Hop and West African dance. We covered the basic movement and history of both dance forms. The love affair between the students and faculty and us went both ways. The dancers are extremely talented and disciplined and the choreographers (Noreen Guzman de Roas) have an amazing gift. A escuela Capezio….vamos a regresar y seguir bailando juntos!!

We held two workshops in El Alto (a.k.a. the highest city on the planet as far as I’m concerned) at Fundacion COMPA. This organization is housed in a funky, eclectic building decorated with completely recycled and repurposed items. It’s dope! COMPA has FREE workshops in every class of arts, including martial arts. How great is that… FREE ARTS?!?!?! Our students, and embassy officials, eagerly participate, learning basics in old skool Hip Hop, House, and West African. This group is much smaller, which allowed us to engage in a heart-felt discussion on why dance is so important to these young people living in an at-risk community. Again, I know that I’m not alone in using dance as a personal means of expression and vehicle to create a career.

The last dance school we visited was Track in La Paz. Only there for one workshop, we were greeted by 30 amazing dancers. Carolina Casso has done an amazing job with this dance facility; they produce incredible shows and receive guest choreographers from different parts of the world. Our time with Track was too short, so we HAVE to return.

Not only did we conduct workshops at dance schools and arts organizations, but we had public talks and demonstrations. Some attendees followed us to every possible workshop. This hunger to learn is rewarding and inspiring. Peace (La Paz) is definitely part of this global campaign to transform the world through dance.