Update for 2008:
New York Classes with Cynthia are on hold. She is in Peru, researching dance in the Amazon and Andes. You can reach her directly by email.
In the meantime, here's a good list of other excellent Peruvian dance and music teachers in the NY/NJ, from our friends at Pachamama Peruvian Arts
Continue reading "Peruvian Dance Class in New York with Cynthia Paniagua from Soy Andina!" »
"Wow." That's what I was thinking, reading this hugely thoughtful essay/anaysis by Cynthia. This girl speaks her mind.
"The movie is more than interesting...people are talking about it because the topics MATTER..."
"I welcome all perspectives about the film....in fact my whole journey was all about perpectives"
"It's apparent in the film I'm ready to pop, and happy about it..."
"Neli and are two different people who share a passion for Peru and dance"
"Mitch, you drove us insane at times...."
Read the whole essay below:
Just when I thought she couldn't surprise me anymore, Cynthia sends me this email a couple weeks back:
Cynthia's back in the studio: this time, teaching Salsa Baby dance classes in Queens (and coming soon she hopes, Manhattan):
SALSA BABIES: Dance your way back in shape with your baby. Mommy's get a workout as babies enjoy themselves shaking maracas and bouncing to the beat. This a great chance to socialize with other Moms as you learn Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. This class is for babies about 6 weeks up until you feel comfortable supporting your baby in a carrier.
Woodside: Woodside Ballet Academy
More info: info@play2gether.org or (718) 706-1610
East Elmhurst: Jackson's Children's Services
More Info: Rita at (718) 779-8800
Ever think about learning some of those seductive Peruvian dances yourself?
No, really. If I can, so can you (proof below).
But where are you going to go — Fred Astaire? I don't think so...
Your worries are over. Cynthia is now teaching Marinera and Tondero (the classic Peruvian coastal dances) in New York City.
While Nelida and Ballet Folklorico Peru continue to offer classes in all kinds of Peruvian dance in their New Jersey-based school.
Don't even thinking of looking further. Now imagine yourself looking like this...
Info and reservations:
Cynthia in New York:
email: cholitaperu25(at)yahoo.com
phone: (917) 378-4965
Neli/Ballet Folklorico Peru in New Jersey:
Click here.
We included this announcement in the recent e-Newsletter, but wanted to make sure it got more visibility - a great opportunity to study Peruvian dance.
PERUVIAN DANCE ClASS WITH CYNTHIA!
Marinera Dance workshop with Cynthia Paniagua. Starting January in Astoria, Queens.
Kids: Thursdays 4:30-5:30, $65; Adults: Tuesdays 6:30-8, $80.
For more information and to register: (917) 496-5865
She wrote me the following in an email, but I suggested we post it because her growing fan base is asking 'wassup with Cynthia?' - now I can just send them this link! But also to help put the word out - she's looking for work right now in New York, and for institutional support to return to Peru. Read on. If you have ideas, post your responses here or write us directly.
I'm hanging in there and beginning to focus on what's important. I'm looking into applying for a Post Fulbright Alumni grant. In order to be considered, I have to be able to create an ongoing link betwwen a US institution (or university) and my host institution.
I want to do research in the Peruvian Amazon (Loreto, to be exact) and I have connections with three institutions over there - one in Lima and two in Iquitos that may be interested in hosting my dance research proposal. As for US institutions, I'm thinking Hunter College Dance Department. Also thought of consulting Zoila Mendoza and thought that UC Davis may be interested in the project....I am piecing it together little by little.
What group I'm going to research, what aspect of dance, and whether it's more of an anthropological study or a dance and theory research - I'm sure they can be both. I'm open to any institutions that would be interested in maintaining a link to a Peruvian Amazonian organization through dance research. This would be supported by the Fulbright Association to get them started.
Hey - I forgot to mention that, for right now in New York, I'm looking for work - anything dance-related and if not, respectable. AKA there is no way in hell I'm working at McDonalds!! I'm boycotting them anyhow...
Cynthia checks in from Peru, in her final weeks before returning to New York:
I'm wrapping up my time here... not easy. I have to give in a million reports and finish up with Puira for now. I have the National contest on the 8th for both marinera and tondero.
Aside from that I have another opportunity to continue my dance investigation, but this time more concentrated - in the Amazon.
Cynthia visited the Iquitos region of the Amazon shortly before returning to the USA and fell in love with the place. One of the key people she met was Lalo:
Lalo's sister works for the ministry of Tourism in Iquitos. He personally has a lot of connections with various native communities that rarely invite or trust (who could blame them) outsiders. This is because he has worked with small political groups who look to support and protect them from exploitation by the state and other capitalist intentions. Go Lalo!! Most of all he has heart and loves where he comes from. He is the male Nelida from Iquitos, but doesn't dance although looks forward to learning.
And here are excerpts from the email she wrote to him describing her dream:
Bueno, no espero que dejes tu vida a vivir con una comunidad fuera de la cuidad porque sè que tienes tu vida, tus compromisos como los estudios, esposa, chamba, familia, etc,etc. (Bueno, eso me diràs en su respuesta a este correo.) Si, con tiempo consigo un aporte de alguna organización, podria tener mas recursos a trabajar. De hecho lo primero que harìa despues de tal estudio es compartir lo con las oraganizaciònes que apoyan estudios sobre las comunidades nativas y que los proteje. Los del PERU y los de la regiòn, de hecho. Eso seria otro sueño que quiero cumplir.
Aparte de mis inspiraciones como artista y aparte de mi busqueda de la espiritualidad de expresiòn corporal, siento que es importante no tratar de folklorizar, si no realmente comprender y educàr la verdad. Que lo que representa "la selva" no es lo que se esta promoviendo en su profundidad. Son unas danzas vernaculares que tal vez representan el punto de vista urbana. Y hasta tal vez demoraliza la verdadera esencia de las culturas Amazònicas y de otras partes de la selva del Perù. Bueno, la gente que se siega por el dinero lo se les ocurrè otra manera de promover..... Pero cada uno con su meta en la vida, no?
Lalo, hay muchas cosas que pienso y sigo pensando sobre este tema de las danzas y las comunidades. Es un procèso que para mi vale la pena. No espero nada mas que enfrentar otras realidades en la danza. No espero ganar nada mas que la experiencia de compartir algo tan bella como la danza con gente que realmente lo hace con sus corazònes como parte de sus vidas y parte de comunicaciòn. Seria lindo compartir esto contigo.
No me queda mucho tiempo en el Perù. Tengo dos concursos de Marinera y Tondero (el 2 y 8 de Octubre). Queria ir a Iquitos por la presentaciòn de danzas (te acuerdas - el 21 a las 10 el la escuela) Pero estoy mas misia que la patada y si voy , iria por ese dia no màs - estare por la presentaciòn y el dia siguiente me regrèsarè. Que piensas? Estoy loca o que??? Jajajajaja!! Lo hago??? Estoy realmente contemplandolo.
Por ahora tengo que estudiar, pero te mando un abrazote y una sonrisa que te comprende. Tienes corazòn. Solamente hay cosas positivas que pueden nacer de la lucha por lo que uno sueña en la vida... Hay mucho que sacrificar y mucho que hacer .... que emocionante!!
Hablamos pronto!
Cynthia ( la cholita)
Lima is a "melting pot" - a place where people come from different places and cultures...like New York. And these places are very important, where different cultures collide, a juxtaposition of tradition and modernity. From this comes innovation.
And it's here in the cities that people start to think about the social context of their situation, of their traditions... And they have to express it. The traditions feed the innovation.
The biggest thing in common between New York and Lima is the relationship between dance and the street.
I feed off the street - and the street feeds off me. When I dance something with a social message, I want to perform in the street. Because there I get a reaction from the street that's "real." And from that I get more information that feeds my understanding, my message.
It's the same with hip-hop. If I'm doing hip-hop, it's in the streets. The street IS the dance. The Campo IS the dance. It's all about where we are from. It's an attitude. It's how you breath and move here.
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