The ‘Dance Your Ancestors,' collective created by Cynthia Paniagua's Kaypacha Dance Company, we performed a ‘Festejo’ dance piece for the annual community celebration, ‘SUMAQ Food Festival’ in Long Island, New York, which honors Peruvian culinary leaders and restaurants in the metropolitan area.

Choreography is by Cynthia Paniagua

Short and sweet freestyle at Bronx Music Hall's NUEVAS VOCES: Emerging Voices in Latin Jazz celebrating the rhythms from Peru with the Afro-Peruvian Ensemble led by Hector Morales and Master cajon player Marcos Napa.

During the program, ‘Dance Your Ancestors,' created by Cynthia Paniagua's Kaypacha Dance Company, we as representatives of the Peruvian-American diaspora, had the opportunity to learn various Afro-Andean dance styles in Lima and Ica, Peru from cultural ambassadors preserving traditions through the Amador Ballumbrosio Cultural Center in Chinca, Peru. This is ‘Zapateo,’ a percussive footwork dance of that combines Spanish shoe-tapping with an African ‘call and response’ competitive beat originating from the Congolese basin.

Choreography is by Alma Ballumbrosio

During the program, ‘Dance Your Ancestors,' lead by Cynthia Paniagua of Kaypacha Dance Company, we as representatives of the Peruvian-American diaspora, had the opportunity to perform an Afro-Peruvian ‘Festejo’ dance piece for the community of El Carmen in Chincha, Peru during their beloved Yunza Carnival Celebration.

Choreography is by Maria Ballumbrosio

Percussion is by Josue Ballumbrosio