We offer three levels of Youth Traditional Dance (Beginner through Advanced)
that teach folkloric dances such as Bomba, Plena, Seis, Danza and Taino.
We also teach modern social dances
(like salsa and hip hop) that are relevant to our culture to help youth
connect the past to the present and enjoy dancing at family celebrations.
Classes start with the basics and build on previous lessons to create
full-length choreographies for performance. These fun, bilingual classes
include age-appropriate lessons on culture, history, games and songs.
Materials handed out during cultural lessons enhance the base appreciation
of Puerto Rican traditions, and provide great research materials for school
projects. Semesters culminate in a Recital
as part of class, held in May (spring) and December (fall).
Adult Traditional Dance & Culture (Beginner/Intermediate)
This Beginner/Intermediate level adult class teaches traditional folkloric dances such as
Bomba, Plena, Seis, Danza, and Taino, as well as Salsa and other modern dances relevant to our culture.
This on-going class is divided into 6-week workshops that focus on a single dance style. Each
workshop teaches basic steps and correct character, each week building
on knowledge from previous classes towards a full-length
choreography. Lessons on Puerto Rican food, language, history, and more
are added to enhance the base appreciation of Puerto Rican culture.
Our classes are joyful, fun, and challenging!
Semesters culminate in an *optional* Recital
as part of class, held in May (spring) and December (fall).
Puerto Rican Style Salsa/Latin Dance Workshops
Learn to dance Salsa ("On1") and other
latin social dances, Puerto Rican Style, through monthly workshops including
three back-to-back classes that offer distinct material
in style and technique.
Class 1 (2pm) - Basic Salsa ON1 includes basic men and lady's steps, turns and partner work technique.
Class 2 (3pm) - Salsa step by turn breakdown with easy turn patterns.
Class 3 (4pm) - Male/Female Salsa body movement, technique, foot and hand shines. Schedule for special themes beyond Salsa announced each semester.
After class, make plans to go out dancing with old and new friends!
Private classes available.
Youth Company Dance Class (Youth Advanced) - By Invitation Only
The training ground for our future adult Professional Company Dancers,
this fast-paced, advanced youth dance class is targeted for
Youth Performing Company members who are ready to mature their folkloric-dance
character towards a skill-level expected of the Professional Company.
The class teaches advanced character, technique, and dance choreographies
in our traditional dance styles such as Bomba, Plena, Seis, Danza, and Taino.
To grow a well-rounded company, we also experiment with modern styles
of dance relevant to our culture. This on-going class
is divided into 6-week workshops that focus on a single dance style.
Each class builds on knowledge from previous lessons towards a
complex, full-length, folk-dance choreography for performance.
Stage presence and teamwork are a major focus of this class.
We also teach basic acting skills to bring our dance expression to another
dimension. Lessons on Puerto Rican food, language,
history, and more are added to enhance the base appreciation of
Puerto Rican culture. Our classes are joyful, fun, and challenging!
Semesters culminate in a Performance Recital
May (spring) and December (fall).
MUSIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Classes in Traditional Music Ensemble, Choir, Percussion and Native Instruments, beginners through professional adults.
Cuatro, Beginner/Intermediate
Puerto Rico's national instrument, the 10-string Cuatro
Puertorriqueno is the cornerstone of our musica tipica. This beginner/
intermediate level class will teach you basic technique, as well as
interpretation and execution of various traditional styles ranging
from seis and aguinaldo, to plena, to bailes de salon. Any age, any
experience, no experience- we invite you to become part of a rare
class of musician. Recital
performance in May (spring) and December (fall) including select pieces
with our PRFDance Company Musicos.
Rondalla, Intermediate/Advanced
Music ensemble class for cuatro and guitar, targetted for intermediate levels
and above, focus on various traditional styles ranging
from seis and aguinaldos to bailes de salon.
Recital
performance in May (spring) and December (fall) including select pieces
with our PRFDance Company Musicos.
Percussion Class, Beginner/Intermediate
This music class for beginners (ages 10+) teaches traditional
percussion rhythms from Puerto Rico, such as Bomba and Plena, as
well as other afro-caribbean percussive rhythms relevant to our culture.
Instruments taught include barriles, panderos, and small percussion.
Lessons on Puerto Rican food, language, history, and more
are added to enhance the base appreciation of Puerto Rican culture.
Semester culminates in a Recital
in May (spring) and December (fall).
Youth Choir, Beginner/Intermediate
This music class teaches songs in traditional music styles as well as
popular Puerto Rican compositions and to those at beginner/intermediate levels.
This class is the training ground for future
performing company singers.
What a joyful way to practice or learn spanish! Semester works towards a
Recital
performance in May (spring) and December (fall), with live musical
accompaniment.
Student Music Ensemble
This program teaches Puerto Rican compositions to those demonstrating an
intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in an instrument,
percussion, or voice. This ensemble is ideal for junior high, high
school, or adult students who have command of their instrument and
are interested in learning authentic orchestration of Puerto Rican music
and cultural traditions. Semesters culminate in a
Recital in May (spring) and December (fall).
Company Percussion Class
By invitation only. This very advanced percussion class teaches
traditional percussion rhythms from Puerto Rico, such as Bomba and Plena, as
well as complex compositions for barriles, panderos, small percussion, and other percussion instruments. Lessons on Puerto Rican food, language, history, and
more are added to enhance the base appreciation of Puerto Rican culture.
Semester culminates in a Recital
in May (spring) and December (fall).
Professional Music Ensemble
Audition Required. This program teaches Puerto Rican compositions to those
demonstrating a very advanced proficiency in instrument, percussion, or
voice. It is
targeted at advanced through professional musicians interested in learning
authentic orchestration of Puerto Rican music and cultural traditions.
For those already familiar with Puerto Rican music and culture,
folklore, and traditions, this music ensemble offers opportunities to
work on the highest-quality performance material, keep polished, and/or
improve technique and orchestration skills.
Semesters culminate in a Recital
in May (spring) and December (fall).
Professional-level musicians who demonstrate a devoted heart, and a passion
and commitment to the non-profit mission of PRFDance, may be invited to
join the PRFDance Performing Company Musicos.
Performance Training Program - Music
By Director's invitation. Advance students excelling in the Student
Music Ensemble Program, and in their instrument, may be invited to
participate in
the Performance Training Program. This highly competitive program teaches
the art of professional-quality performance in folklore and provides an
opportunity to learn advanced-level material.
Commitment and good attendance is a program requirement. Semesters culminate
in a Recital
in May (spring) and December (fall). Successful apprentices who have
reached an advanced or professional level may be invited to join the
PRFDance Performing Company Musicos. This invitation is highly competitive
and is not guaranteed through this program.
Youth Company Dancers
By invitation only.
Youth Dance Apprentices who have reached a high-level of skill in
Puerto Rican folklore, and have demonstrated a serious committment, a
devoted heart, and a passion to the nonprofit mission of PRFDance,
may be promoted to rank of Youth Company Dancer. Our Company
performs at cultural and artistic events in Austin throughout the year.
With the goal of growing future adult Professional Company Dancers,
Youth Company Dancers take regular classes as well as attend special
performance-rehearsals that help them mature their skill-level in folkloric
dance. Youth Company Dance Class teaches complex choreographies and
estampas are taught. It is a time for youth company members, apprentices, and
invited advanced youth students to rehearse
for upcoming performances. Here, principles and complex choreographies
taught in company class are expanded upon and polished to performance quality
at a
speed and intensity geared towards dancers at an advanced youth level.
Commitment to attend classes and youth company rehearsals is a
program requirement.
Professional Company Dancers
By Director's formal invitation only.
Adult Dance apprentices or adult professional-level dancers who have reached a
high level of skill in Puerto Rican folklore, and have demonstrated a
devoted heart and passion and commitment to the nonprofit mission of PRFDance,
may be promoted to rank of PRFDance Professional Company Dancer. Our Company
performs at cultural and artistic events in Austin throughout the year.
Dancers take company classes as well as attend
closed company rehearsals that polish material to performance perfection.
At company dance rehearsals new complex dance choreographies and estampas are
taught. It is a time for adult company members, apprentices, and
invited adult students to rehearse
for upcoming performances. Here, principles and complex choreographies
taught in company class are expanded upon and polished to performance quality
at a
speed and intensity geared towards dancers at a professional level.
As needed, new and established Company Dancers may attend extra
review classes that teach, reviews, and polishes old repertoire.
On selected nights, full-company rehearsals are held which include Company
Musicos. Commitment to attend classes and company rehearsals is a
program requirement.
Professional Company Musicos
By Director's formal invitation only. Very advanced musicians from
the Professional Music Ensemble or the Puerto Rican Masters program who
have demonstrated a devoted heart and a
passion and commitment to the nonprofit mission of PRFDance may be invited to
join the PRFDance Performing Company Musicos. Our Company performs at
cultural and artistic events in Austin throughout the year. Company
musicians remain active members in the Music Ensemble as well as attend
closed company rehearsals that polish material to performance perfection.
On selected nights, full-company rehearsals are held which include Company
Dancers. Commitment to attend the Ensemble program and company rehearsals is a
program requirement.
Professional Company - Full Rehearsals
By Director's formal invitation only.
Our Company performs at cultural and artistic events in Austin throughout the year. As needed,
full company rehearsals are held which are a combined rehearsal for the entire
PRFDance Professional Company of Dancers and Musicans. There's nothing like
practicing and performing artistic material live to inspire the best sound in music and
the most joyful dance. There is nothing like practicing and performing live
to really learn how to work as a team.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Semi-Annual Recitals
(Photo Album)
Learning the art of performance is an important part of the formal
education students receive through our programs. Professionals
participating in our programs also enjoy the opportunity to work on
high-quality performance material and present. For this reason, the fall
and spring semesters culminate in a Recital. For students, this valuable
out-of-classroom training gives them experience and insights that
cannot be learned in a studio. It also gives our professional-level members a
chance to be a role model for up and coming talent.
Esperanza del Herencia in May gives students the important experience
of performing in a close-up setting, as well as an
opportunity to present with our professional-level performing company.
Sembrando Herencia, in December,
is a full-length performance that provides a mainstage experience
and an opportunity a theatrical performance with our Performing Company.
Good attendance during the semester is required to master the material
and perform in these recitals.
Company Performances
(Photo Album)
Our professional performing company, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance,
performs at cultural and artistic events in Austin throughout the year. We
also perform in two annual full-length productions that joyfully celebrate
Puerto Rican folklore and culture.
Celebrando (June) is a professional-quality, main-stage production
and joint-performance with Puerto Rican masters. Sembrando Herencia
(December) is a full-length performance that gives our performing
arts students an opportunity to share the stage with our Performing Company.
CLASSES OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN
We are located in Austin Texas. See our Links Page for a listing of schools and cultural centers that we know of
in other cities. If you teach Puerto Rican traditional dances, music or culture,
contact us and we'll add your information.
Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard
Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center
Center Location: 701 Tillery Street, Austin TX 78702-3740 (Map & Directions)
Mailing Address: 15228 Quiet Pond Court, Austin TX 78728-4555
Phone: +1.512.251.8122
Email: dance@prfdance.org
Web: www.prfdance.org
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