Azteca Drum & Dance

(Ages 13 to 30)
Maestro: David “Texomazatl” Vargas

This dynamic, high-octane, class will introduce students to Aztec dance, drumming, language and indigenous culture. This class is for intermediate level dancers with three years of folklorico dancing experience that are interested in learning a different type of dance discipline that will complement and enhance their current dance training. There will be NO sitting, videotaping/photography nor spectators allowed in the classroom.  In preparation, during and throughout the class there will be a adherence to calisthenics for warm-ups and to encourage and promote a strict discipline which will be required to cover all the material of two disciplines as well as how to present and be prepared for the recital.  Calisthenic exercises are intended to increase strength, fitness, and flexibility as well as endurance for this high-performance dance genre.

This dance form is pre-Columbian and based on movements found within nature. Students will learn how to dance AND drum: ” El Danzante ” also known as ” Mitotiani ” meaning “The Dancer” and is in reference to Quetzalkoatl who was a great leader and proponent of the Arts and in particular Cosmic Movement “Mitotiliztli” or Danza Azteca. This dance is from Mexico City. I was taught this Danza from my Teacher El Gran Maestro Geraldo Salinas who is of a direct line of Danza lineage to Florencio Yescas.