Cathya Beard

Cathya Beard grew up in Peru, South America and dance was a very important part of her culture.  Since an early age she had shown an interest in dance, the performing arts, and modeling. She participated in several beauty pageants and although she did not win at the pageants she did win the talent portion of the contests with interpretive dance. These programs in which she participated fostered her passion for the arts. This has helped her tremendously when working with children in order to help them portray self-confidence and to trust themselves.
In 1997 she arrived in Lexington, Kentucky and the North America and South America cultures were so diverse that living in the United States was a difficult adjustment. She truly missed her Latino culture, especially her family traditions.

Because of this fact it is her goal to share her Hispanic heritage by teaching Latin Ballroom, Zumba fitness program for adults and children. She believes that this program will help students to learn more about other cultures through dance and music. Hopefully this will aid in a better understanding of cultural differences.  As a mother of two children 8 and 4, she understands the benefits of getting the children active involved and healthy not only physically but mentally, too.

My goal is to integrate both the Spanish and American culture to achieve a better understanding and respect for cultural differences through dance and music.  I hope to encourage students to be proud of his or her roots. The classes will last 30 minutes for K-1st graders and 45 minutes for 2nd- 5th, per class.  It is recommended for a 2 or 3 week residency but can be adapted to meet the needs of each school.  All sessions are bilingual and not only will students be exposed to the Spanish language and culture but children will actually become more fit with this fast paced invigorating workout.  This program allows children to communicate with each other in ways they wouldn’t in any other lesson or activity.  Not only will core content be addressed but children will have fun and will leave feeling fresh with a happy outlook.  At the end of the session, the school, parents, and families members will be invited to witness the children performing the choreograph ed dance routines.

These are a few of the Kentucky Core Content in the Arts and Humanities that will be addressed:

AH-EP-1.2.1
Students will observe dance/movement and describe elements and movements using dance terminology.

AH-EP-1.2.2
Students will observe, define and describe locomotor (e.g., walk, run, skip, gallop) and nonlocomotor (e.g., bend, stretch, twist, swing) movements.

AH-EP-4.2.3
 Students will perform traditional social dances of ethnic groups.  (Latin American dance such as cumbia, merengue, salsa, and Latin Pop)

AH-EP-3.2.1
Students will experience dance created for a variety of purposes.

Purposes of dance:
Ceremonial - dances created or performed for rituals or celebrations (e.g., dances of Latin America) Recreational - dancing for entertainment, to support recreational activities (e.g., ballroom, line dancing, aerobic dance, dance as a hobby)

AH-EP-4.2.1
With a partner or in a small group, students will perform dances using the elements of dance and various movements.