DIANA LIZ GALLEGO

DEG: My formal dance instruction in ballet and Spanish dance began at the Cantu School of Dance when was four years old. When was seven years old, I began ballet and Spanish dance lessons at the Altagracia Azios-Garcia School of Dance. I thought Altagracia was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was then, at seven years of age that decided to become a dance teacher.

was extremely timid. It took ten years of dance instruction before I looked up off the floor in a dance recital. However, during the winter break of my 8th-grade year, our dance drill team teacher died. Our substitute teachers didn’t dance; so, I taught the classes during the spring semester. The social capital I received from my peers was transformational.

My modern dance teachers, San Juanita Martinez-Hunter, and Neo Guiterrez, who taught workshops in Laredo, both had doctorate degrees from Texas, Woman’s University. In my mind that legitimized the study of dance. Professionally, Gladys Keeton my TWU professor, mentor, and friend, had the greatest impact on my professional development.

DCNT: Why did you decide to go into teaching and tell us about your first job?

DEG: As a seven-year-old, I thought it was the perfect job. You get to dance all day and wear beautiful costumes in the recital at the end of the year. I am so glad I finally discovered Ballroom Dance Dallas, a ballroom dance club in Dallas in 2011. I love dancing in beautiful flowing evening gowns. I think my seven-year-old had it right. During my last semester for my bachelor’s degree, a family contacted TWU searching for someone to complete the dance year for their

DEG: While it may seem that am doing something totally different today. I am continuing the search for understanding that began at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy in 1991 when I faced the challenge of developing a dance program for children in poverty. Today, I understand that children of poverty, like me, frequently experience stressors that have a lasting effect on the brain.

Today I work part-time at the Abilene Brain Center as a neurofeedback technician and a brain health coach. I strive to educate the public through YouTube videos, “Brain Health Cooking with Diana-Liz” and through public speaking about preventing Alzheimer’s and reducing the symptoms of developmental trauma. Dance and the arts are so important to these endeavors. Even though am busy at the clinic, spend time with my grandson and daughter. stay active with yoga, Zumba, and progressive western dancing … still dancing and still learning. I believe staying active physically as well as mentally is essential for brain health and for longevity.