Hispanic+Essay+MattMa

 **The Impact of Hispanics as the Largest Minority in the United States** Marissa Mattingly Hispanics have contributed many things to the USA. One of which includes the amazing art of dance. From the different types of dances that have been created to the people who have provided pleasure to our eyes, Hispanic dancing and the dancers we have gained are quite spectacular. I will prove to you just how much Hispanic dancers have given to the USA.

First of all, Hispanics have given us many different forms of dancing. Some of which include the Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha, and Tango. The Bachata is a dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. During this dance, dancers move side to side in a four-beat pattern. This four-beat pattern contains three steps to the side followed by a pause. This dance incorporates many pronounced hip movements. Overall, the Bachata is about moving the body with style while executing the simple back and forth steps. The Salsa is a dance that was originated in the Caribbean. This dance centers on a four-beat pattern as well. This pattern includes two quick steps and a slow step followed by a pause or tap. To make this an even more impressive performance, dancers usually add turns and some basic footwork to create a fun dancing experience. The Cha Cha is a Cuban-born dance. This dance includes the basic movement of stepping forward or backward and shifting weight, but also adds a quick set of three steps.(Hanson, Rachel) Lastly, we have the Tango. The Tango began in Argentina. Tango dance steps are passionate and precise. Dancers move to a rhythm that goes, " SLOW... SLOW... QUICK-QUICK, SLOW." A very important part of the Tango is the frame of the dancers, or the way they hold themselves with each other. In each of these dances, Hispanics have contributed a unique style of dancing for us to try. With these dances and many more that have been given to us by Hispanics, our American culture has grown to appreciate these extraordinary styles of dance. (Miller, Gray)

Now, I would like to introduce you to a very special person who we should acknowledge for her wonderful dancing talents. This amazing woman is known as Evelyn Cisneros. She was born on November 18, 1958, in Long Beach, California. She is the first American prima ballerina in the US of Hispanic heritage. Her mother made her take dance classes as a young child to help her overcome her shyness. She began to study ballet when she was only eight years old. In 1974, she received a scholarship to the School of American Ballet for the summer. She also did an internship with the San Francisco Ballet in 1976. She was then appointed academy director of Ballet Pacifica in 2006. Cisneros has participated in many different roles in her time as a professional dancer. Some of which include playing Princess Aurora in // Sleeping Beauty  // , Odette/Odile in  // Swan Lake  // , The Sugar Plum Fairy in  // The Nutcracker  // , Cinderella in  // Cinderella  // , and Juliet in  // Romeo and Juliet. //  Overall, Cisneros was just a shy girl who found out her passion was dancing. After 23 years of dance, Cisneros made a tough decision to retire from the San Francisco Ballet. On May 9, 1999, the ballet company honored her for all of her hard work. (“Evelyn Cisneros”)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Another well-known Hispanic dancer is Carlos Acosta. Acosta was born on June 2, 1973, in Havana, Cuba. He is Cuba's most famous dancer. Unfortunately, Acosta grew up in a very poor place. He is the son of a truck-driver and one of eleven children. At the age of nine, his father sent him off to ballet school so he could learn discipline and also so he could get a free lunch every day. He studied at The Cuban National Ballet School. He received his diploma with maximum qualifications and a gold medal in June 1991. Acosta joined London's Royal Ballet in 1998, and was a permanent member until November 2015. After 17 years with The Royal Ballet, Acosta celebrated his farewell as he choreographed as well as starred in his last performance, // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Carmen  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">. Acosta has won many awards during his time as a dancer. He also starred in many different roles. Some of those include being the Prince in // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The Nutcracker  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">, Prince Florimund in  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Sleeping Beauty  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">, Prince Seigfried in  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Swan Lake  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">, and Don Quixote in his last performance,  // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Carmen. // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Acosta has received many awards throughout his lifetime as a dancer. He has proved to people that Hispanics can do exactly what Americans can do. (“Carlos Acosta”) (“Carlos Acosta, Royal Ballet in Cuba”) (“Carlos Acosta- Royal Opera House”)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Now you know how much Hispanics have contributed to our dance world. They have given us some very interesting styles of dance, and have pleased us with their amazing talents. With all of this and more, Hispanics really have grown to provide many contributions to the USA. They sure have left a great impact on our country and have let us experience their own way of life.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Work Citations**__

"Carlos Acosta, Royal Ballet in Cuba - Havana Times.org." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Havana Timesorg Carlos Acosta Royal Ballet in Cuba Comments  //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> I know that this is valid information because it comes from a published newspaper.  **

"Carlos Acosta - Royal Opera House." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> People — Royal Opera House  //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **I know that this information is valid**  ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">   ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **because it comes from an official website.**   **

"Carlos Acosta." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Wikipedia  //. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * ** <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **I know that this information is valid because it gives links to the original websites the information came from.**  **

"Evelyn Cisneros." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Wikipedia  //. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Mar. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> I  ** <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **know that this information is valid because it gives links to the original websites the information came from.**   **

Hanson, Rachel. "Types of Latin Dances." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> LoveToKnow  //. LoveToKnow Corp, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **I know that this information is correct because I have learned about**  ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">   ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **these types of dances and know the information is correct.**   **

Miller, Gray. "Tango Dance Steps." // <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> LoveToKnow  //. LoveToKnow Corp, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <[]>.
 * ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **I know that this information is correct because I have learned about**  ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">   ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **these types of dances and know the information is correct.**   **