Gifted Souls

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 22:47 Wednesday, 02 March 2011 01:39

Gifted Souls Dance Crew evolved from a Latin dance club at Lane Tech high school.   Members of the club, called Aspira, wanted to continue the camaraderie of a dance group after they graduated.  They relied on the dance experience as an escape from struggles in the outside world.

Samantha Montes, president of Aspira and a salsa champion from Puerto Rica, approached Rocky in 2008 about coaching a dance group beyond high school.  Samantha was the youngest member of Aspira, and her mom, Lisa, had been active in Salsa Congress.

Rocky answered the call.   He became a very tough coach, creating powerful routines and scheduling practice sessions.  He tells the performers, “I don’t know what I am doing as director, but I will do my best to be a big influence in your lives. “

And they listen.  He hears many personal stories of “tough upbringings and bad stuf,” and he wants good things to happen for these dedicated young people.  These are young kids—ranging in age from 11 to 21. Under Rocky’s guidance, they work hard in demanding rehearsals.

Rocky chose the name Gifted Souls for what it meant to him—“The meaning of Gifted and Souls weren’t just words, they describe any talented human who does their talent from within.  I took the name and ran with it.”

The dance crew first performed as Gifted Souls in 2009.  About 20 young dancers took to the stage with some powerful choreography. The rest is history.  In 2010, after they raised the roof at Salsa Congress, the group performed for a TV show in New York City and traveled to Detroit, Dallas, Cincinnati, and Miami for hip-hop and salsa competitions and performances.

I have a feeling we are going to hear a lot more about Gifted Souls.  These young people are so committed to each other and to their dedicated director, Rocky, that their dance company has developed into a family.

One member (Superman) described it this way.  “We enjoy dancing and making Rocky whip out his whistle.  We like to make fun of each other…we may fight, but we take care of each other.  We don’t pretend to be something we’re not.  We share things together.  We learn from each other.  We help and evolve together as dancers.”    In Rocky’s own words, they are “dancers who truly are Gifted Souls.”

MMA is pleased to have Gifted Souls join our family! Be sure to check out their new class every Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.