providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic, and Family Programs
summer 2012
danceup The Wooden Floor
In the First Person
melanie ríos glaser, artistic director
Rocio, Class of 2009 I didn’t notice until I went to college, but The Wooden Floor didn’t create just a dancer, it created an artist in me. I started at The Wooden Floor in 2002, when I was 11 years old. As I spent time here, dance became more than a hobby. I started to see it as more than someplace to be after school. Dance was something that was feeding me. It was a way in which I could transmit my thoughts and connect to people, because language was a barrier for me when I started at The Wooden Floor. I spent so much time here, everyone really helped me grow until I didn’t need help anymore. I was in six Annual Concerts at The Wooden Floor. I still remember working with choreographer Sally Silvers. It was the first time a choreographer gave me the opportunity to have a solo. She said, “You have the whole stage for you, now enjoy it!” She believed in me, and that stood out a lot in my life.
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Through dance, I learned to break out of my bubble, to not compare myself to others. I learned that I have my own voice. I don’t want to lose who I am or where I come from. When you get out into a bigger world, you can easily lose your voice. But what I learned here is that by being who I really am is how I will succeed.
After graduating from The Wooden Floor, Rocio attended Santa Ana College, where she earned her AA in Dance, Liberal Arts, and Psychology. She also earned admission as a transfer student to UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach, CSU San Jose, and CSU Fullerton. She recently committed to attending CSU Long Beach this fall, majoring in Dance.
Thursday May 31Saturday June 2 29th Annual Concert: Tuned In
Friday, June 1 Arts Night Out! Irvine Barclay Theatre 6:45pm
Thursday, September 27 Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit Newport Beach, CA
At the Irvine Barclay Theatre, experience a powerful collaboration between three nationally recognized experimental choreographers and our under-served youth, yielding work that is original, inventive, and distinctive. Get your tickets today at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/TunedIn.
Explore the work in Tuned In with choreographers Chris Yon and Melanie Ríos Glaser at a free preperformance chat followed by complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine. RSVP by May 29 to Jenn at RSVP@TheWoodenFloor.org.
Sample 12 exquisite highly rated wines artfully paired with gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit the forward movement of our 375 youth. For early reservations or sponsorship opportunities contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or visit www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Events
Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.