In Motion with Carla Rodriguez

Carla Rodriguez is "In Motion" with
 R.Evolucion Latina by LaVec

“People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want.” –Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Hi! My name is Carla Rodriguez and I’m from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Art has always been a part of my life. As far back as I can remember, I was taking some sort of dance class or going to see a show, from ballet to bomba, my family worked hard to expose me to as many forms of art as possible. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in after school care programs and at different community centers. My friends and I would make up dances & songs and teach them to the kids younger than us.  Reflecting on it, it was probably these experiences that inspired me to get my Bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth, & Community Science with minors in Dance & Education. I knew I wanted to work with young people in the community but wasn’t sure how that was going to look when I was job searching. So much learning, growth, & identity exploration happens while you’re young. I am grateful to have had people in my life that always encouraged me to follow my dreams. No matter how unconventional they seemed at the time. I want to be that person for the young people I encounter. 

I worked for a middle school after school program for 3 years teaching different performing arts activities, did some work with elementary and high school students as well but ultimately, decided to focus on college students. So, I got my Master’s degree in Higher Education and about a year ago, I moved from my familiar college town & home state of Florida to North Carolina for my first full time job as a student affairs professional.  When I moved, I quickly got wrapped up in learning as much as I could about my job and meeting as many students as possible.  I think it was this whirlwind that delayed the realization of how unknown & unfamiliar this new stage of life was to me. My life had completely changed. I had to reestablish myself in the community, make new friends, and learn a new job… all at the same time. I had to take a step back. I needed something to feel familiar and comfortable.  

Many of my closest friends who I consider family live in New York, so I was spending a lot of time in the city. One weekend early this year, I was fortunate enough to reconnect with my friend Anthony Martinez who I have known since Kindergarten.  He didn’t know it at the time but he was the catalyst for so much inspiration to come.  As we were catching up on the past few years, I told him about my move and the feeling I had.  He posed a seemingly simple question to me, “If you could have your dream job, what would it be and why?”

The question caught me totally off guard. It made me have to stop and think. What was my dream? What job could I do that didn’t feel like work? What was I passionate about? What made me feel most alive and fulfilled? I had a feeling that if I could answer these questions, I’d be closer to being able to answer his question.  All I could come up with at the moment was something with young people, the arts and maybe an after school program.  Since he’s known me my whole life, he knew exactly what to say.  He was already involved with R.Evolución Latina and began telling me about all the wonderful programs and people.  He made sure to emphasize all the great youth programs and told me I had to get involved. This all happened right before the Choreographer’s Festival.  I was able to follow all the amazing things that came along with that project and was instantly inspired. “Uniting people through the universal language of dance”?! I had to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Carla, Denisse and Augustina
at the 2011 D2GB Children's Camp

When time came for the Dare to Go Beyond Camp, I immediately reached out to Denisse who was gracious enough to welcome me with open arms.  As people who value the arts, my job was supportive and let me take the week off from work.  Little did I know how much of an impact the experience would have on me.  From the campers, to the volunteers, teachers, and directors, I feel like each person inspired me in one way or another:  campers who would spend their free time practicing what they had just learned; older campers setting a positive example for younger campers and vice versa; volunteers who took days or hours out specifically to lend a hand; teachers who lent their artistry; and directors who pulled it all together.  When that much positive energy is in one space, how can you not feel inspired?

Those young people breathed new life into my spirit.  Ideas that seem so complicated to adults were simplified by the genuine curiosity of a child. This camp allowed many children to experience the arts in a way they couldn’t have otherwise.  It reaffirmed in me what I want to do in my life that will always give me energy.  All of my experiences in the past year, challenges & triumphs alike have one thing in common.  They have opened my mind to the immense possibilities of life.  These possibilities were always there but the people and lessons along the way have allowed me to see them more clearly.  My awareness has been heightened and I would not go back.  As I continue into the unknowns of each day, I take with me the spirit of the camp pledge, commit, respect, believe, support yourself and each other, and of course, Dare to Go Beyond!

“When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.” –Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Mario, Carla, Augustina and Gabriela Garcia giving an example of  eating healthy
at the 2011 D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp.

The Three P’s by Milteri Tucker

Milteri Tucker

New York! A city of dreams, of aspirations, of opportunities, of challenges, but most importantly a city of perseverance!  The latter goes hand in hand with that of the DREAM in order to achieve ones goals. 

  I made the big move to this city, back when I was 17 years old! Yup fresh out of High School from Puerto Rico! As some may take time to find what they want to do, or figure out their next step, I already knew what I wanted. I had my goal set and was ready to take on the new challenge and my new life as a New York City girl! Full of hopes and dreams; I can not begin to tell you how this city has challenged me, from the very first moment I stepped on NYC ground to the  little obstacles, which I've stumbled upon. Yet with God's help and the support of my family I pulled through! Adventures and lessons one can only obtain from living life itself. Perseverancia y positivismo! have been my survival and the method in which I've been able to accomplish that list of dreams and goals!

    I came to NYC and pursued my degrees in both Dance, and Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Talk about a challenge! I  attended and studied at Hunter College. Those years as an undergrad, served as a base for the next few years to come. I decided to attend Hunter because it provided a liberal arts program, where not only could I pursue dance as a major, but the sciences as well. Two careers I could choose from, yet two which required and requires a lot of myself. I recall one of my semesters being some what like this: 9am Ballet class, 12pm Bio Lecture, a gap which served for rehearsal or studio time or library time, then off to a 5 hour sometimes 6 hour laboratory. Then, come back to the dance dept for my repertory  course with professional choreographer Patrick Widrig. I didn't mind, after all I was pursuing both of my interests and passions. During my tenure at the dance department  I learned valuable tools to continue a career in dance and choreography. In 2006 I graduated with honors!

Since then, I worked in a Bio lab and had decided to give it a shot at the real dance world: ie...auditions, auditions, auditions!!!!! I've had great opportunities, and performed in theaters, the concert scene and currently I am working with top choreographer Maria Torres, and am the founder and director of my own dance company, BOMBAZO Dance Co.

   I am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful organization, R.Evolución Latina!!! I’ve been a member since its beginnings and have participated in workshops, volunteered with schools, as well as had an opportunity to perform in the 2011 Choreographers Festival. Something I thought was not going to be possible, since I was recuperating from knee surgery. But I looked at my situation and turned it around! Took it as a time to re-evaluate my goals, examine carefully my strength and weaknesses and to be fearless! In that mind set, I recalled walking in to RL’s audition not letting nor using my injury as an excuse to do less, on the contrary showing the panel how much passion and determination I had. With perseverance and faith in myself I have been able to accomplish my goals and set new ones! But what gives me the most satisfaction is not only to be able to perform, but it is to expand my voice and share my vision and thoughts with others through dance. I love dancing, just as much as I love to choreograph. Especially when I am sharing a part of my culture with a broader audience.

  For three consecutive years I’ve been assisting and teaching BOMBA (Afro- Puerto Rican song, music and dance) to students at RL's D2GB Performing Arts Camp. I can tell you, that I receive even more satisfaction teaching kids of all ages, along side Jose Ortiz & BombaYo. The look on their faces and how all move so well to the basic rhythm is overwhelmingly gratifying!!!

   My message to you all is the three P’s: Patience, Perseverance and a Positive mentality! Love what you do and pursue it like there is no tomorrow. Listen to your mentors, professionals, and always strive to learn something new each day! Be patient and rely own your craft! The three P’s have helped me continue my path as a performer & scientist!