Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Puig.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the Dominican Republic with access to a school that used the Arts as a tool for learning the English language and other subjects. At 15 years of age, my family decided to the whole family to Miami for a better life opportunity. I felt very alienated and discouraged, having left lifetime friends behind, as well as my extensive involvement with leadership roles at school and the community. At Southridge Sr High, I met a dance teacher, Shirley Julien, who inspired me to learn how to use dance for healing and to build community. I had never taken a dance class before, as dance is only accessible to “high class” families. With her support, I opened up the first dance club the school had ever had, and proceeded to put together shows and present in the school with the club members. I attended USF in Tampa for 1 year of Professional Dance and later moved back to Miami to attend FIU, where I got my AA and studied professional dance with a track in modern dance and Afro Caribbean rhythms. When FIU closed its dance department, I was called to pursue a masters degree in Dance Movement Therapy in UAB (Barcelona Spain), to expand my understanding of how dance could be an agent for change in mental health, mind-body-emotional connection, inclusion and education. In 2010 I returned to Miami, with a mission to deliver dance movement therapy presentations for over 200 schools. I can happily say I have way surpassed that number in the 14 years I have been working as a teaching artist and trainer that focuses on “best inclusive practices in the fields of the arts” for many art organizations and community centers in Miami, including: A4LMiami, Arts4All, ArshtCenter, Miami City Ballet, Miami Children’s Museum, AllKidsIncluded, Miami International Montessori school, among others. I have also written innovative music and movement curriculums for Miami Dade College and delivered my own curriculum and programming to a variety of schools throughout the years, with a focus in training teachers to use the arts for education, social emotional learning and development. I have also stage managed for many theaters and events in Miami – including Miami Dade kendall dance department, YoungArts, MiamiLightBox, MTC and Miami Dade County Auditorium, among others. In the past 2 years, after my father transitioned from Covid, I landed at Miami’s Prolific Artist Marcus Blake’s magical artist compound nestled in Little Haiti, called Little Bohemia Miami.
Marcus Blake and I shared many ideals in the importance of using the arts as a tool to encourage community, support artists of all backgrounds and create a space where all walks of life are welcomed. I soon became very involved in collaborating in co-creating short films and music videos, learning and practicing how to produce/ co-direct/ act and edit, as well as managing community events where “moments become experiences”. I also began to learn how to write grants and assist other artists in managing their work, as well as making significant connections between artists and art organizations, businesses and events.
Little Bohemia Miami, the place I call home, has opened its gate to the community every Wednesday (9pm-12am) for over 3 years, where we continue to make connections to all sorts of local artists, that come to “bubble” to express, create and share. Without any financial support, we have also co-created new events for the community, including a bike tour of Little Haiti, an “Outfit Event” for photographers, models and fashionistas, as well our unique “Witches Wizards and Weirdos” gathering every October! Most of our community of artists know me as “Zelda”, a creative resilient and confident personality, that continues to challenge herself daily and continues to make long lasting relationships with artists and Miami individuals and groups of all kinds! Zelda is not afraid to learn and create new things, from being “exhibited at the little Haiti cultural center” photography women’s resilience exhibition, to daily writing, poetry, and the creation of new content – to continue to inspire others.
When I’m not dressed up as “Zelda”, I am usually serving my community as a teaching artist/ trainer (18-27 classrooms at different sites per week), offering workshops and professional developments, stage managing, or managing artists to reach “for the stars”. “In Art We Trust”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe “contrast serves us well” – struggles, challenges and contrasting experiences have always helped me in growing and expanding into a better version of myself. Some of the main struggles are financially related – the feeling of doing plenty and not receiving financial support to continue to expand and live an abundant life- however – I believe also that life is meant to be shared with others – even if that means sharing “my last piece of bread” – if I have it – I’ll share it. I foresee a near present where all artists feel seen and supported financially to pursue their biggest dreams.
During the pandemic, although many considered it challenging times, my obstacle became “ needing to be vaccinated to be able to continue to offer my services”. The Pandemic also became a time for me to really delve into expanding my services to a YouTube channel for parents/ teachers/ care givers called: “Universal Movement Education” (https://youtube.com/@universalmovementeducation5045?si=8xzYS0JV5GKEteHI) , financially supported by Miami Dade department of cultural affairs and the children’s trust fund. Although challenging for me and my family as my father transitioned from Covid – It provided a new way of approaching universal teaching/ learning and the meaning of “Unconditional Love” (which I later tattooed on my arm as a reminder)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a certified Dance Movement Therapist, Teaching Artist that uses the arts to build community, a sense of identity, belonging and agency. I train teachers and organizations in “best inclusive practices in the fields of the arts”. I specialize in individuals (0-100) with mental and physical disabilities and currently train teachers on how to use the arts to further education, inclusion, SEL practice, and culturally responsive pedagogy. I write inclusive curriculums and lesson plans with Universal design in mind, as well as dance movement therapy based tools and techniques that are adapted to all environments and communities. I support artists across the US, as leading teaching artist mentor through Young Audiences, and lead professional developments for all Miami Dade county teachers and art organizations in early childhood, Wolftrap education and SEL practices. I am known for leading Spanish/ English accessible workshops and classes. I am a stepflix.com online instructor – and I love to edit footage with my own poetry, as well as to document my life via photography, videos and social media content. I am currently on a mission to better support teachers and administrators wellbeing through my practice, as well as creating programming that is focused on creating a safe space for teachers, counselors, school administrators and families. I also stage manage shows in Miami, and events in Little Bohemia Miami. Since August of 2024, I manage and represent artists Alissa Christine (VR art meditation) and Marcus Blake (visual artist/ fashion designer/ poet), connecting them to local businesses, including hotels, studios and other organizations. I have also began to learn about sponsorship, currently collaborating with Vortex Art Basel Dome experience 2024 (with Nems foundation and Marianne Nems)
I am also known as the creator of other programs including : Chicktime Miami (paring up individuals with underserved communities to learn life skills / and Love Dance Circles ( a donation based DMT based class for all ages and abilities)
I am most proud of my ability and calling to serve where I am needed. I lead with my heart and believe in “love over rules”
I am also proud that despite financial setbacks, I have always managed to grow and expand and increase my income, to continue to serve any community I visit!
I am full of passion, energy and known to always go “the extra mile”
I am also proud of all the lives of children and adults alike that I have transformed through my practice!
How do you think about happiness?
To authentically connect and assist others and my environment – because it makes me feel that I can be of service and support and make a difference in people’s lives and the environment we share.
Children’s joyful contagious energy and they way they connect to the world around them with curiosity – because it creates joy within me to recognize that aspect of myself
To be outdoors in nature (I mostly work outdoors and spend most of my time outdoors when I’m not teaching or stage managing) – I believe nature is a wonderful environment to find answers to all the questions I have ever had and provides inspiration and nurturing for my soul
Dancing and moving – it is the language of my soul
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpuig/profilecard/?igsh=bDNzejhxbGUxbG1k
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/hcP8MrqPcR7wptnm/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-puig-258b902a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@universalmovementeducation5045?si=8xzYS0JV5GKEteHI
- Other: https://youtube.com/@littlebohemiamiami-id5qe?si=8kbuhFyMWwFro9if
Screenshot
Image Credits
Image 1 (Jenni aka Zelda with white hair) Photographer – Michael Campina
