Keeping Traditions Alive

By Simone Karibian

Due to COVID-19 we have learned, and continue to teach ourselves, to alter the styles of our businesses, hobbies, and other aspects of our lives. We have chosen to kill off some habits and hobbies, but also chosen to keep alive others. Dancer Jason Garcia has been teaching traditional Mexican folkloric dance for several years. He has assembled teams for his Westchester Mexican Dance Company, based in White Plains. Adjusting to the safety regulations that have been implemented in the state of New York, Garcia hopes to safely continue teaching dance, to keep alive this important cultural tradition. When asked to clarify why continuing these classes is so important to him and his students, Garcia replied, “I like to teach the youth, as many of them were born here in America, and really don’t know about these traditions.”