Anyara was first drawn to HSTF because of dance. In 2017, she joined JEA’s Afro-Latin dance team, Ritmo en Acción, and since then has trained hard in styles like salsa, bachata, cha-cha, and Afro. She has performed as part of a large group, has done duets, and has even performed solo. Now that takes guts.

Ethan Sanchez got connected to HSTF way back in 2005 through HSTF’s summer camp, along with his twin brother Elan. They stayed in touch and joined JEA’s Afro-Latin dance team, Ritmo en Acción (REA), in high school. Ethan recalls that through performing and teaching workshops, he gained confidence and the ability to speak in front…

Allyah grew up around music, with family members playing instruments together at family gatherings. “But I was so much more reserved than I am now so I was shy to do it myself,” she shared. Still, her cousin—who was an HSTF staffer at the time—encouraged her and finally she joined Musicians in Community (MIC) and…