¡Wepa!
Songs, Dances, and Games from the Dominican Republic
with Liban Gómez and Juan Carlos Tavarez
Música es Vida! From education to social gatherings to celebrations, music and dance play an active role in the Dominican Republic. Whatever the current “new normal” may be, students still depend on their teachers to create conditions to engage in joyful learning experiences. This session seeks to provide music teachers with brief, engaging activities you can adapt in your music classroom, virtually or in-person. Bring your WEPA and get caught up in the rhythms, melodies, and flavor of the rich and diverse island of the Dominican Republic.
You will be given access the workshop recording and downloadable materials from their presentation.
A certificate of completion can be provided to participants who request one for professional development hours.
Liban O. Gómez
Liban O. Gómez was born in the Dominican Republic and has been teaching for 13 years at The School of Higher Expectations P.S. 66 in the Bronx, New York City. Liban previously taught grades 2 and 5 working particularly with the English Language Learners. He has been teaching General Music and Music Through Literacy to students from Pre-K - 5th for over 10 years. In addition to that, he also teaches violin after school at the same school. At The City College of New York, he received his Bachelors’ Degree in Childhood Education, Italian Literature and Language, and Mathematics followed by a Master’s in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL). He completed his Orff Levels I and II in New York City and obtained his Orff Certification at George Mason University. He is the current president of the New York City Chapter of AOSA. Liban frequently and actively attends workshops offered from different parts of the world. Liban is a polyglot and has traveled around the world to learn and explore other cultures. He loves and enjoys teaching, movement, sports, traveling, and photography.
Juan Carlos Tavarez
Juan Carlos Tavarez is in his seventh year as a music educator. He currently teaches elemental music for grades K-5 at California Ave School and Northern Parkway School in the Uniondale School District in Uniondale, NY. Tavarez leads the Boy's Chamber Choir and is the director of the All-District Elementary Chorus. He works closely with at-risk males and serves as a mentor to his students as the Male Rites of Passage Club and Young Gentlemen's Club supervisor. Before joining the Uniondale faculty, Mr. Tavarez taught for the NYC Public Schools, serving as a founding music teacher and school culture coordinator. He received his BM in Music Education from Five Towns College and his MM in Music Education from New York University with a certification in Kodály. Currently, he serves on the board for the Kodály Organization of New York, co-chairs the Equity and Inclusion Committee, and is on the AOSA Diversity and Inclusion committee. Tavarez is pursuing his Doctoral Studies at Long Island University. His goal is to research, hands-on, how music and music education develop the student as a person. He completed his Orff-Schulwerk training at George Mason University in 2018. His approach demonstrates respect and dignity for children's unique needs through play, exploration, and kindness. His charge as a music educator is to bring all of his students into a life-long love of music while solidifying that appreciation with practical skills and true musicianship in his teaching and learning.
¡Wepa!
Songs, Dances, and Games from the Dominican Republic
$20
one time payment
All registrants will receive access to the recording of the workshop along with downloadable materials.
Certificate of completion can be provided to participants who request one for professional development hours.
"Thank you so much for sharing! These are beautiful songs and so much fun dancing!"
