Meet Jennifer Puig

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Puig. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I have learned to be effective and successful through my innate quality to “always go the extra mile” and give it my all with love and passion. I have always embraced diversity and all cultures, thanks to being born and raised in the island of Dominican Republic. My mother at a very early age, modeled appreciating the arts as a form of expression and learning, as well as to appreciate all people. Despite some of the bullying that would occur in school, my mother always taught me how to embrace all parts of me, reminding me that we are all born unique, and as “one of a kind”. My mother taught me also the importance of being kind to animals, humans and nature, and inspired the desire within me to truly connect with all living things. My father always taught me “resilience” by way of his own example, having experienced “starting over” multiple times as a doctor of “the people”. My father taught me that practice helps us expand and grow and develop confidence in one’s craft. Until this day, I love walking into a room full of people, and getting the opportunity to shine my light and get to know them at an authentic and loving way. I love teaching daily, and being able to share with my students to “embrace who they are” and believe in their ability to do anything they truly love.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am Dominican, born and raised and since a very early age, I found the arts to be a profound way to make connections to self, to others, to diverse cultures and communities. I would often find myself connecting diverse individuals by way of movement and musical games, as well as teaching others through the use of the arts. I had always dreamed of being a dancer, yet had no access to classes due to financial constraints.
When my family decided to move to Miami back in 1999, the arts also became a tool for coping with depression and feelings of loss of identity, community and friends.
I decided to pursue dance in any chance I got throughout highschool, achieving the ability to open the first dance club in Southridge Senior Highschool, as well as my first full stage production of “Grease” – where I choreographed, staged, acted and directed.
In college, I decided to continue to pursue Professional Dance, learning about global movement and developing a curiosity for the meaning behind universal and cultural movement. I performed, taught and made Dance my primary form of communication and expression.
In 2008 I moved to Barcelona Spain, to pursue a masters in Dance Movement Therapy to assist myself and others in healing techniques.
When I returned to Miami in 2010, I made it my mission to serve as many schools and sites as possible, using the tool of dance for education, healing and community building.
I developed best inclusive practices in the field of music and dance, to make dance more inclusive for all, no matter their age, ability or culture.
I became an independent contractor as a dance teaching artist and trainer for several organizations, including A4L Miami, Arts4All, Miami City Ballet and the Adrienne Arsht Center.
During the pandemic, I opened up a YouTube channel titled “Universal Movement Education” – to provide free dance/ music resources and videos for parents, teachers and students.
It is exciting to do what I do for a living as a dance teaching artist that gets to travel to many schools and sites, to train, teach how to incorporate the arts for education and social emotional skills. it feels special to be able to affect the lives of so many children, teenagers, adults and seniors through the joy that movement, dance and music provides. I have seen non- verbal children speak their first words in my classes, as well as miracles of seeing students that where in wheelchairs – take their first steps. I am beyond humbled and grateful to be able to continue to make a difference in my community and beyond.

My services include: creative movement classes, yoga for children, cultural dance classes, dance movement therapy based techniques, staff, artists and teacher trainings of best inclusive practices in the field of the arts, as well as stage managing and event management. I also offer online classes and videos for all.

Universal Movement Education (YouTube channel)

https://youtube.com/@universalmovementeducation5045?si=J4DAurZn_SSmRukp

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The 3 most impactful skills in my journey of who I am today are: “Passion”, “Love” and “Determination”

The 3 most impactful areas of knowledge in my career include: “inclusion”, “community building” and “dance tools and techniques”

My advice to anyone pursuing these skills is to practice “self love”, to “love what you choose to do” and to remember that we are always growing and expanding, and that anything is possible “if you believe”.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Whenever I have felt overwhelmed, I have always resorted to listening to “Abraham Hicks” – the author of the book: “Ask and it is Given”, who reminds us that we are vibration, and that we are love and are meant to be/ do/ have anything we believe in.
I also practice self love techniques including: moving my body, listening to music, being out in nature to re-connect, meditation, rampages of positivity and lots of writing.
There is a book titled “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron that has also been very effective in “doing self examination” and introducing me to the tools of writing every day, as well as making time to take myself out on dates and allowing my “inner child” to create.

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