By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Paige Hernandez put a little salsa in some children’s day today at the Hays Recreation Center.
The elementary children practiced their letters, numbers and shapes and learned about Cuba while doing a little rap, hip-hop and salsa dance.
International performing artist Hernandez rapped and danced with the children as a part of the Lied Across Kansas Program. Multiple sessions included children from ages preschool to high school.
The aim of the program is to expose children in partner communities across the state to the fine arts who may not be able to make it to Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence to see a performance, said Anthea Scouffas, Lied Center engagement coordinator.
“There are so many studies from an education perspective that fine arts education opens a whole world for children,” Scouffas said. “We want children to have as many opportunities and experiences with the arts as they can.”
Hernandez and Baye Harrell will perform “All the Way Live!” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lied Center. Those who can’t attend the performance in person can watch it live-streamed on the web by visiting the Lied website. Click here for the link.
The duo uses hip-hop elements to “remix” lessons on creativity, respect, understanding, cooperation, effort and self-care. “All The Way Live!,” co-commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, uses an audience-powered boom box to help children tune into the frequency of positive thoughts and feelings.
Hernandez said she hoped the Hays children today would find a new avenue to express themselves. She said her workshops help children be more physically active and encourages them to be more social, as she has the children partner for the salsa.
Hernandez, originally from Baltimore, was a debate student before she started studying theater. Her teachers suggested she try theater because of her expressiveness, which lead her to a performing arts high school and later to study theater in college.
According to her website, as a master teaching artist, Hernandez has taught throughout the country, to all ages, in all disciplines. To date, she has reached about 10,000 students, from pre-K through college, in over 100 residencies, workshops and performances.
Hernandez also performed this week in Russell, Sabetha and the Ell-Saline school district.
