Paso A Paso. . . Life is a Dance
Saturdays, March 4 – 25, 2023
12:00-2:00 PM
Dance Studio at Garces Memorial High School
Paso A Paso . . . Life is a Dance is a FREE after-school confidence-building program geared towards high school girls, including Latinas. Paso a Paso empowers girls by teaching them that life is a dance and it is necessary to learn the right steps to achieve success. Girls will utilize dance to create a support system of sisterhood while becoming empowered through life-skills workshops. Paso a Paso applications close on March 1, 2023.
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About Paso a Paso:
Offered on Saturdays, March 4 – 25, from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at the Dance Studio at Garces Memorial High School, Paso a Paso will be taught over 4 weeks and will feature guest speakers and dancing. Girls will partake in life skills building workshops for the first hour of the program, followed by Latino dance instruction taught by a professional Latin dancer for the second hour. The dance classes will inspire confidence and cultural understanding as the participants learn to express themselves through Bachata. Paso a Paso will culminate in a final performance and certificate ceremony open to families and friends to attend!
Bachata Instructor Bio:
Karina Villarreal started dancing in 2004 at the University of California Riverside. In 2006, she became the President of the Salsa Club at UCR and she taught lessons every week at the school’s rec center. After graduating college she became part of a dance team directed by Riverside Community College. She then joined a professional Bachata team in Buena Park. Karina continued teaching salsa and bachata lessons in different venues. Karina also started her own dance team in Riverside named Apasionados Dance Co. Her team performed at dance festivals in Los Angeles and also different clubs. Karina then moved to Bakersfield and started teaching weekly bachata lessons at Studio 9. She then started an all ladies dance team named Ritmo Aché. The team performed at Bachata Festivals in Anaheim; as well as dance studios in LA, Fresno and Bakersfield. Overall Karina Villarreal enjoys teaching dance to others and making friendships through dance.
Paso a Paso Calendar:
Step One – Building Your Brand with Virginia Nuñez (Personal Presentation, Resume Writing, Interview Training).
Bachata Dance Instruction + Choreography
Step Two – Mastering Basic Automotive Success with Kat Irwin (How to charge a car battery, how to change the oil, etc)
Bachata Dance Instruction + Choreography
Step Three- Financial + Cyber Security with Mary Dávalos, Elva Saraí Torres and Ana Soriano (Maintain a Budget/Bill Pay, Credit Building, Social Meeting Protection, Scams + Fraud).
Bachata Dance Instruction + Choreography
Step Four- Mindful Mental Health with Adeana Church and Maritza Jimenez (How to handle internal and external pressure)
Final Presentation + Bachata Performance
Paso a Paso Goals:
The goals of Paso a Paso is to empower young girls through the mentorship of experienced female leaders in the community and through dance classes/performance. The weekly steps are focused on guiding the young women towards a future path of success.
Paso a Paso goals include:
-Confidence building
-Cultural awareness
-Life-skills training
-Learning a new dance
-Self love
-Independence
-Sisterhood
-Guidance for success
A typical Paso a Paso Day:
-Snacks and Bonding – Program directors check in with students, review the prior week’s experience, talk about problems they are experiencing and identify steps to overcome challenging scenarios at school or in their personal life.
–Guest Speaker – A new life-skills topic is introduced through lecture and hands on lessons- activities are designed to teach concepts in a new way and excite girls about material.
-Dance – Girls learn a dance from an experienced dancer, including a dancer’s warm up, practice technical dance exercises, and rehearse choreography that will be performed in the final performance. Attitude, confidence, teamwork, and dedication will be emphasized.
-Small Group Mentoring – Students join program director and guest speaker to review lessons taught and create a plan for implementing new tools developed.
Paso a Paso Application:
Paso a Paso is open to all Kern County high school female students.
Paso a Paso applications are available via an online application through the Kern Dance Alliance website. The Paso a Paso committee will review all applications and invite applicants to participate in the program.