The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts wrapped up its artist-in-residence program with Rodney Lopez, culminating in a closing reception featuring students from J.H. Woodson Jr. High School. The event took place Friday, March 28, in the CMCArts courtyard, where students showcased a variety of social dances they had learned during the program.
As part of his residency, Lopez collaborated with Katie Zaytoun and the VI Social Dance Collaborative, a project funded in part by the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Over the course of two weeks, students engaged in learning social dances from various cultures, including merengue, foxtrot, waltz, tango, quadrille, swing, and salsa.
Zaytoun explained that this was the second year the VI Council on the Arts awarded the grant for the program, called “The V.I. Social Dance Collaborative.” The initiative stemmed from another program, Dancing Classrooms, through which Lopez and Zaytoun initially met in New York City.
Two eighth-grade classes at the John H. Woodson Jr. High School, totaling approximately 45 to 50 students, participated in the program under the guidance of social studies teacher Tisha Samuel. Students practiced twice a week, gradually overcoming initial hesitation.
“Of course, at the beginning, they are hesitant, not excited about the idea of touching another person and working together,” Zaytoun shared. “My two classes were very different, but most of them stood up and participated,” she said.
Lopez, originally from Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, emphasized the broader impact of social dance.
“I think what social dance does for middle school students is the same as what it does for adults,” Lopez said. “There are two types of confidence: self-confidence — the belief that I can move through space and inhabit my body alongside others — and social confidence, which allows us to interact effectively with those around us,” he said.
“What we are doing is giving children the opportunity to practice these skills. Social dance allows them to do that under the cover of fun, music, and movement,” he added.
Lopez also highlighted the importance of the arts in education.
“What they gain is an understanding that the arts matter. No matter where you go in the country, the arts have been decimated. This opens conversations about history, migration, and cultural collaboration. It helps students realize that there are resources in their community they may not have known about,” said Lopez.
John H. Woodson Jr. High School student Carlos Marlejos reflected on his experience.
“It was a great experience. At first, when Ms. Samuel told us about it, I was unsure. But as we dove deeper into it, the experience became really enjoyable,” he said.
Another student, Danicia Browne, shared her initial nervousness about performing.
“At the beginning, I was nervous because I didn’t know how many people would be at the performance. I knew there was a performance coming,” she said.
“When I was younger, I used to think that being in front of a crowd meant people would talk about me. But when I realized that everyone was clapping for us, that built my confidence,” said Browne.
Education Coordinator Jessica Parker White of CMCArts noted that Lopez also made the time to visit Central High School and St. Croix Educational Complex, where students learned about the history of salsa and its cultural significance. He also encouraged them to dance, getting everyone involved in the movement.
“We really see how dance can inspire students and get them out of their comfort zone,” Parker White said.
Additionally, CMCArts hosts a monthly dance event at St. Gerard’s Hall. With Lopez present, they were able to offer Latin dance sessions, including salsa, merengue, and bachata, further enriching the cultural experience for the community.
To keep track of classes at CMCArts, visit their website here.
