Fundraising Events

Essencia Latina

Roca’s Essencia Latina has been nurturing and showcasing the artistic talents of over 200 very high-risk youth a year, transforming their energies away from high-risk behaviors and into the directions of positivism, cultural inclusion, self-respect, and physical, mental and emotional health. Through a nationally-recognized touring dance troupe, beginner, intermediate and advanced dance art classes, youth teacher trainings, and community outreach, Essencia Latina demonstrates the power of expressive art to facilitate hope, dedication and accountability in the lives of young people: Young people who have been failed by many in their lives, who have fallen through the cracks of the very institutions that were set up to protect them, and on whom society has seemingly “given up.”

Throughout history, various cultures have developed their own traditional dances, prayers and expressions for worshiping, gathering, transitioning and celebrating. These traditions are passed down from generation to generation. However, in an era where the transition to from childhood to young adulthood in our communities is marked by involvement in gangs and criminal activity, truancy and dropping out, and early pregnancy and parenting; and where many immigrant and newcomer young people leave traditions behind in the struggle to assimilate, Essencia Latina is creating a vital alternative.

Essencia Latina represents four initiatives in one:

• A nationally touring troupe of emerging youth dancers,
• Intensive and experiential teacher-training for young dance instructors,
• Peer-to-peer dance instruction for high-risk young people,
• A convener of cultural enrichment and violence prevention in the larger community.

The entirety of the program from direction, to choreography, to life skills, to touring performances is led by young people, for young people, who are have been, or are, growing up through the programs of Roca. Through Latin dance, infused with pan-global elements of African, hip-hop, and modern styles, the diversity of youth and young adult participants in Essencia Latina find common ground, nurture positive team work and self expression, and hone life-skills of dedication, accountability, respecting others, and self-respect. Snapshots of participants’ stories are often woven into dance numbers, and dialogue about the common roots of the dance and music is frequent in rehearsals, creating a healing component for Essencia members and contradicting local tensions that fuel acts of violence in the community between ethnic groups.

Essencia Latina participates in an average of ten performances a month, ranging from school-based performances, to community cultural festivals, and two-dozen high-profile events such as appearances for President Obama, Governor Deval Patrick,, cable outlet BET, Madison Square Garden for reggeaton star, Don Omar, and during New England Patriots’ Half-Time show to name a few.

Essencia Latina Performance Photos