This is your GG leader and also the leader of the day, Jason, recapping on our full day of fun for you. After a delicious breakfast, we had our usual seminar with the topic on culture. Caitlin, my co-leader, went over the Latin American culture, and also stereotype and American influence in the Latin culture.

Afterward, we visited an art workshop of an award winning carnival mask maker, Dario Ruben, where he talked to us about the history of carnival, what it is about, how he started making masks, and the meaning behind the masks. We were also lucky enough to be able to make a mask for ourselves. It is always more fun to get a hands-on experience and learn the process of making a mask.

We went to Mutiluso Cultural  for the second part of our field trip where Doña Tago spoke to us about her life and Tocando los Palos, a traditional Latin drum. Doña demonstrated her drumming and singing skill while students enjoyed themselves dancing to the rhythm of the beat.

As a music educator myself, it was such a great day to experience culture in different art forms, and it is these arts that keep the culture alive!