U.S Embassy Nicosia hosted the Founding Director of New York City’s Def Dance Jam Workshop, Aziza (Carol Reid), as she conducted communicative dance and music classes for over 100 special needs children and young adults throughout the island. Barriers were broken over and over again, as these exceptional children came out of their shells, responding with smiles and laughter to the uniquely American style of music and dance presented. Not content to make this a “one-off” event, the teachers of these students were also given special training by Aziza, so that the music and dance classes will continue to be a part of the schools’ regular activities long after Aziza has left Cyprus.

 

 

Among the several workshops conducted, one will bring together Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriot children in a single class. Finally, before leaving, Aziza will partner with a local choreographer to reach out to the entire Cypriot community with a “Master Class” open to the public that will demonstrate her distinctive style of dance. All sessions were filmed so that teachers and teacher trainers can benefit from Aziza's methodology. This was Aiziza's fifth visit to the island.

 

On October 19, Aziza's two-week program culminated with a bi-communal program at the J.W. Fulbright Center in the UN Buffer Zone. Deputy Chief of Mission Jane Zimmerman greated deaf students from both the Turkish-Cypriot Community and Greek-Cypriot Community before they danced together side-by-side. The two communities became one, as the students moved together in unison, laughing as they picked up the rhythm from the vibrations of the music. After delivering certificates congratulating them on their participation, DCM Zimmerman delighted the group by using sign language to tell them how amazing they were.

 

Video from Aziza's workshop at Cyprus Fulbright Center - October 19, 2007 [asf file - 5MB]

 

Read about Aziza's previous visits to Cyprus in our Embassy at Work feature