NYDIA
OCASIO |
Since
the early 70's, Nydia Ocasio's dance expositions and teachings
have featured historical and cultural folklore introductions
from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Brazil. The following are a few of
her many concert performances, events and teachings throughout
her artistic career:
Artistic Background
In the Latin Music Industry, Nydia Ocasio performed for Latin
Events in various Concert Halls, Galas Events throughout the
United States and abroad:
Madison Square Garden - The Beacon Theater Symphony Space -
Avery Fisher Hall - Aaron Davis Hall - The Meadow Lands - The
Public Theater - Lincoln Center - The Apollo Theater - Univision's
Gala Event Celebration held at Tavern on the Green - Tito Puente's
50th Anniversary at Heckscher Theater (Boys Harbor School of
Performing Arts) and was an annual participant of the Puerto
Rican Day Parade.
Her performances abroad include Mexico, Japan and Rome, Italy.
In January and November of 2003, she traveled to Cuba to further
her study of Cuba's cultural dance and music.
Group Member of the following Cultural and Latin Dance Companies
Louie Bauzo's two-in-one Dance Co; Carambu and Patakin (folkloric
dance from Puerto Rico and Cuba) - Roots of Brazil Dance Co.
- Orchestra Son de la Loma and Los Pleneros de la 21 to name
a few.
Director and Choreographer of two of her own dance companies;
Latin Sensations and Fiesta Brava Dance Revue.
Nydia's Class Atmosphere
Nydia is known for her Latin, Caribbean, and Afro-Cuban style
of dancing. It is here, during the styling portion of the class
that she instills the basic understanding of her trademark to
her students. Pointers are periodically given to body movement
and footwork, which involve specific arm, eye and shoulder placement.
She teaches the students to understand the role of each specified
movement, positioning and their relationship, masculine or feminine,
to the associated music.
Nydia carefully demonstrates which body technique and styling
is applied to, during various Latin music progressively used
during class. She incorporates lyrical and rhythmic combinations
designed to stretch and strengthen the body and develop its
expressive possibilities.
Workshops & Performances
Nydia has performed and conducted numerous dance workshops for
various city schools, universities, dance Studios and Hospitals
in New York City and throughout the tri-state area:
• The Los Angeles Salsa Congress
in 2002
•
Annual Hispanic Heritage Month: CBS & Sony
•
The 2nd Annual 2002 East Coast Salsa Congress, where Nydia was
honored with the Mambo Hall of Fame Award.
•
Panelist and performer in a symposium titled, "Resounding -
Women in World of Music", a production of the World Music Institute
held in Hunter College.
•
Lectured at Yale University with other Latin Dance legends on
the history of Latin music, its origin and dance evolution
•
Participant of Lincoln Center's Annual "Midsummer Nights Swing"
•
Boys Harbor Performing Arts School
•
Dance Studios: DanceSport - Djonibas Dance and Drum Center -
Musical Theater Works Studio - Sandra Cameron Dance Center
•
Universities & Health Institutions: Fashion Institute of Technology
- Rutgers University - City College - New School University
- Mount Sinai
•
Plus One's Fitness Centers: Prudential, Goldman Sachs & Merrill
Lynch
•
The YWCA Fitness Institiution
•
Salsa: An American Musical Genre - Sponsored by The World Financial
Center, Winter Garden/2005
Dance Workshops in the Caribbean
•
Salsa Cruise in Cancun Club Med
•
Norwegian Cruise, Tropical Dance Workshop
•
The Seaborn Goddess Cruise Line to the Virgin Islands
She is currently a Latin Dance Aerobic instructor for the New
York Sports Club and was interviewed in the Spring 2004 issue
of New York Sports Club's "STRONG" - (read
the article - pg 19, pg 20 and pg 21) |
