Free Camp Unites B'way & Latino Artists With Children From NYC's Boroughs

"My 14 year old nephew said, 'This is the best thing I have done in my life,'...You are not only inspiring these kids but are also empowering the parents to really go beyond in helping the children reach their goals," says parent Carmen Pacheco when describing R.Evolución Latina's 3rd Annual D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp.

Arts and educational nonprofit R.Evolución Latina, (founded by dancer/choreographer Luis Salgado of In the Heights and co-directed by dancer/actress Gabriela García of Chicago The Musical), united Broadway stars and under-served youth for this year's camp where approximately 150 students aged 6 to 18 were given the opportunity to spend three days being inspired and empowered by Broadway's best.

R.Evolución Latina (RL) is based upon the motto dare to go beyond, a phrase inspired by Marianne Williamson's "Our Deepest Fear." The D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp challenges and dares youth, teachers, and volunteers alike, to "be the change they wish to see in the world" by teaching leadership, collaboration, commitment, respect, self-awareness, and responsibility. R.Evolución Latina is devoted to empowering communities to believe in themselves and to strive to achieve their dreams.

This unique and FREE camp puts R.Evolución Latina's circle effect into action. The circle effect presents the idea that through giving to others, one will experience their own growth and personal inspiration. RL not only provides free classes for children, it also provides free training to members of the Latino artistic community in multiple areas of the performing arts. These artists then in turn, give back to the community and share their inspiration through youth programs such as the D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp.

Because of the circle effect and one performer's desire to go beyond, R.Evolución Latina collaborated with Broadway performer Stephanie Klemons and her organization, Katie's Art Project. As an extension of the D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp, R.Evolución Latina and Katie's Art Project brought Broadway Week to the Sunrise Day Camp July 26th-28th. Sunrise Day Camp is the only dedicated day camp in the nation for children with cancer. It is a camp designed to meet the emotional, social, recreational and physical needs of these children while allowing them to enjoy the comforts and safety of their own homes at night. Eight teachers and four volunteers from R.Evolución Latina and Katie's Art Project came together to make this event happen.

This year's D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp and Broadway Week teachers included Michael Balderrama (In the Heights), Derrick Baskin (Memphis), Josh Bergasse (Movin' Out), Moe Borromeo, Michelle Brugal (The Lion King), William Cepeda, Dwayne Clark (In the Heights), Elasea Douglas (Fela), Rosie Fiedelman (In the Heights), Gabriela García (Chicago), Chris Harbur, Ian Hersey (The Public Theater), Stephanie Klemons (In the Heights), Doreen Montalvo (In the Heights), José Ortiz (BombaYo), Courtney Reed (In the Heights), Paris Remillard, José Restrepo (Grease), Jon Rua (In the Heights), Reza Salazar, Luis Salgado (In the Heights), Bill Santiago, Enrique Segura (The Lion King), Emmanuel Torres, Rickey Tripp (In the Heights), Amanda Turner, Tanairi Sade Vazquez (West Side Story), Daniel Watts (In the Heights), and William Wingfield (In the Heights). Participating organizations included The Mercy Center, The Point, Cypress Hills, the KIPP School in Harlem, and the Raul Julia Training Unit. Sponsors and supporters of the 2010 camp included the Herman Goldman Foundation, Pearl Studios, Energy Kitchen, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and gendance.

Because of the impact that R.Evolución Latina continues to make on the artistic and Latino communities, this young organization has drawn the attention of major media networks. NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams selected R.Evolución Latina for their "Making a Difference" feature and NewYork1 recently chose R.Evolución Latina to be New Yorker of the Week. Watch the videos and become inspired to dare to go beyond!