Jalla-E Conference at San Marcos University
Mitch presents Soy Andina preview as part of the annual conference for students of Latin American Literature
Home of Finance Minister Pedro-Pablo and Nancy Lange Kuczynski
The Kuczynskis host a dinner party for Soy Andina. Guests included former ambassador Ricardo Luna; Kate Raftery, Peace Corp country director; Livia Benavides, World Bank; Felipe and Gabriel Ortiz de Zevallos, APOYO; Jaime Daly, general manager, the Lima airport; Luis Brandwayn, founder of batanga.com and his wife Celina, architect and film buff.
Cynthia and Mitch appear as guests on the popular talk show "Fulanos y Menganos," thanks to editor Sergio Garcia.
APAPRO, the Association of Peruvian-American Professionals, hosts a Soy Andina preview. Cythia rocks the house with a special solo dance piece.
Benefit Lunch Hosted by Ambassador Oswaldo de Rivero
More than 75 guests enjoy lunch, film clips and fabulous food and drink, courtesy of sponsors Sipan restaurant and Johnny Walker.
Feb 28
Hey Mitch,
I just want to let you know what a great time I had in Ohio and to thank you for setting that up... it was really wonderful. The people I met were so open and refreshing, something that would be nice to have here in NY instead of all this drama...haha...
Invitation from the OSU Center for Latin American Studies to present the "Soy Andina" screening. Accompanied by live performances from Nélida Silva and Cynthia Paniagua in an interactive dialogue on Andean culture and the immigrant experience.
The Knitting Factory, Hollywood, CA
Excerpts from Soy Andina will be featured in this showcase of emerging filmmakers and musicians from the University of Pennsylvania community.
Launch party for the new Peruvian restaurant run by Nélida Silva and her Llamellin amigos! Featuring all your favorite Peruvian dishes, plus art and music, all served up in a stunning landmark building.
"Mixing it Up"
A screening of "Soy Andina" and dance performance by Nélida Silva are featured as part of an evening of multicultural dance presented by the Upper Manhattan Arts Project
April 1, 2003
Mitch,
I'm have to say that I was surprised you called me back yesterday and I was very happy happy to hear from you. After visiting the website, I had a sense of relief that I finally found something substantial to learn from as part of my personal research project on my mother's native country, Peru.
As a young girl I was introduced to this, spending my summers in Peru and learning more and more not only about ancestry but about what I eventually wanted to do with my life. Through the women in my family, I was taught some dances native to Peru such as Festejo, Wayno, Vals, and La Marinera. It was through dance that I felt even more connected to my mother's culture which became mine as well.
Here in the States, there was no such outlet (that was known to me or my parents) to learn more about Peruvian performing art forms. In other words I couldn't call 411 to get to an establishment that would offer this to me.
My visits to Peru became more and more infrequent, but I pick up as much as I can when I'm out there. It was after my visit to Cuzco and Macchu Picchu that I (at age of 16) began to investigate more about various Andean cultures and what it really means to me.
Unfortunately I noticed some rejection of this culture in the capital Lima. I noticed so many social obstacles that allowed discrimination to blind people from their own history and roots. I also couldn't stay in Peru for a long enough time to search for an outlet of folkloric dance. I was also limited due to my strict family.
Meanwhile, here in NYC I did as much as I could to reamain involved. I held some festejo dance workshops in high school that lead to some performances. This inspired me to continue to share what I know to my community here in NY and to learn more.
I am currently a dance major at Hunter College and just finished working with Grupo Wayno (Pancho) on my modern dance piece "Nawpakuna." They were awesome enough to play live for my dancers. I based my theme on the colonization of Peru and the conflicts of change versus tradition. I fused modern dance vocabulary with that of traditional Andean and Afro-Peruvain movement.
The concert was a personal success for me. I received so much positive feedback from the audience. It was a wonderful moment.... Meeting Luis and Pancho was a total coincindece, but I'll tell you about that some other time ( I'm writing a novel over here!) They were such wonderful people to work with.
After reading about Nelida, all I could do was smile. I couldn't watch the trailer (my computer is prehistoric), but I could imagine that her voyage was beautiful and enlightening. I know she performs, but does she teach? Regardless, I was very inspired by the little I know about her quest to Peru. This is because I've been planning to do something similar.
I am applying for a fullbright grant to do dance research in Peru. I am still investigating on where to go. I know that there are some dance centers in Lima, but I am more intersted on leaving the capital and going back to Cuzco, Huancayo, or Oroya. Let me know what you think. Like I said on the phone "This is my life." I know that sounds melodramatic, but hey, its true. Whether or not I an granted the Fullbright, I am going anyway. I want to eventually establish a venue here in the states that offers native Peruvian dances, a venue I didn't have growing up. I wonder what Nelida would think?
OK, there is alot more to talk about, but I did the best I could to abbreviate my short story 
Thanks for taking out the time and let me know what you think....
Cynthia Paniagua
Mitch,
I'm have to say that I was surprised you called me back yesterday and I was very happy happy to hear from you. After visiting the website, I had a sense of relief that I finally found something substantial to learn from as part of my personal research project on my mother's native country, Peru. As a young girl I was introduced to this, spending my summers in Peru and learning more and more not only about ancestry but about what I eventually wanted to do with my life. Through the women in my family, I was taught some dances native to Peru such as Festejo, Wayno, Vals, and La Marinera. It was through dance that I felt even more connected to my mother's culture which became mine as well. Here in the states, there was no such outlet (that was known to me or my parents) to learn more about Peruvian performing art forms. In other words I couldn't call 411 to get to an establishment that would offer this to me. My visits to Peru became more and more infrequent, but I pick up as much as I can when I'm out there. It was after my visit to Cuzco and Macchu Picchu that I (16) began to investigate more about various Andean cultures and what it really means to me. Unfortunately I noticed some rejection of this culture in the capital Lima. I noticed so many social obstacles that allowed discrimination to blind people from their own history and roots. I also couldn’t stay in Peru for a long enough time to search for an outlet of folkloric dance. I was also limited due to my strict family. Meanwhile, here in NYC I did as much as I could to reamain involved. I held some festejo dance workshops in highschool that lead to some performances. This inspired to to continue to share what I know to my community here in NY and to learn more. I am currently a dance major at Hunter College and just finished working with Grupo Wayno (Pancho) on my modern dance piece "Nawpakuna." They were awesome enough to play live for my dancers. I based my theme on the colonization of Peru and the conflicts of change versus tradition. I fused modern dance vocabulary with that of traditional Andean and Afro-Peruvain movement. The concert was personal success for me. I received so much positive feedback from the audience. It was a wonderful moment.... Meeting Luis and Pancho was a total coincindece, but I'll tell you about that some other time (I’m writing a novel over here!) They were such wonderful people to work with.
After reading about Nelida, all I could do was smile. I couldnt watch the trailer (my computer is prehistoric), but I could imagine that her voyage was beautiful and enlightening. I know she performs, but does she teach? Regardless, I was very inspired by the little I know about her quest to Peru. This is because I've been planning to do something similar. I am applying for a fullbright grant to do dance research in Peru. I am still investigating on where to go. I know that there are some dance centers in Lima, but I am more intersted on leaving the capital and going back to Cuzco, Huancayo, or Oroya. Let me know what you think. Like I said on the phone "This is my life." I know that sounds melodramatic, but hey, its true. I want to eventually establish a venue here in the states that offers native Peruvian dances, a venue I didnt have growing up. I wonder what Nelida would think?
OK, there is a lot more to talk about, but I did the best I could to abbreviate my short story
Thanks for taking out the time and let me know what you think....
"Dialogue on Transnationalism and Community Development"
presented by The Inter-American Foundation, Center for the Study of
Philanthropy/CUNY, and The Rockefeller Foundation
Filmmaker Mitch Teplitsky is invited to present Soy Andina before an invited group of foundations, international development agencies and Latin American
immigrant groups
Nearly 200 people gather to watch Soy Andina and dance performances by Nélida Silva, Ballet Folklorico Peru, Andean Motion, Peru Inka and Grupo
Wayno.
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PERUVIAN DANCE CLASS
Ballet Folklorico Peru (Paterson
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BOOKS
Faces of Celebration: Photographs of Peru
The Guinea Pig: Healing, Food, and Ritual in the Andes
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DOC FILMS
South American Explorers - Peru
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NEWS (in English)
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