Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Chavez
Hi Evelyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Evelyn Chavez, and I am 37 years old. I moved to Paterson, New Jersey, from Peru when I was 12 years old. I remember Paterson as a very diverse city, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in learning about other cultures and traditions. In 2004, I moved to Salt Lake City, where I began my journey as a Latin American folklore dancer with the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance, directed by Jessica Salazar. Those 10 years were some of the best of my life as a folklore dancer, as I learned to appreciate dances from all over Latin America, as well as from the Philippines, Spain, and Ireland. I discovered the rich stories behind the dances, the communities they represent, and their deeper messages. This experience completely changed my perspective on the world.
In 2013, I had the honor of representing Peru with UHDA at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in Washington, D.C. My passion for dance continued to grow, and in 2007, I started dancing salsa with Callejeros, later joining Orishas Dance Company, Alma Latina Utah, and Salsa Sway. In 2013, I competed in the World Latin Dance Cup, placing 4th in Salsa Couples. In 2015, I competed again with Salsa Sway’s ladies’ salsa team, placing 5th. My desire to keep learning led me to move to Los Angeles in 2015, where I had the privilege of training with some of the top salsa dancers and being part of elite salsa teams. Dancing salsa also opened doors for me to perform with renowned artists such as Rey Ruiz, Septeto Acarey, Tito Murillo, Melcochita, and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
In 2017, I met Nadia Calmet, a friend, sister, life coach, and teacher who profoundly impacted my life. She taught me the importance of keeping our ancestral memories alive through dance—dancing with purpose, educating through movement, and understanding that art is powerful. Since then, I have been dancing with the Afro-Peruvian Experience, directed by Nadia Calmet. In 2018, I joined Samba Soul, directed by Gisella Ferreira, and began training in Afro-Cuban dances with Ocandeniye Dance Company, led by Laroye Aña. I also had the opportunity to participate as a dancer in the Conga Kids assembly for the Unified Schools.
I launched my first dance class at a yoga studio in Millcreek, and to my surprise, all the women who attended were yoga instructors. The class was filled with such incredible energy that I knew I had to keep going. That night, I went home feeling recharged and immediately decided to start my Afro-Peruvian dance classes. I also began teaching children (ages 5 to 12) about the African diaspora through dance, introducing them to the rhythms of the cajón peruano. Additionally, I founded Baila Utah, a dance fitness program focused on movement, empowerment, and community building.
My Afro-Peruvian dance classes have opened doors for performances and collaborations with other Peruvian dance groups and the African Festival. Through these opportunities, the Afro-Peruvian Dance Project was born, with the mission of making the African influence in Peruvian culture more visible and sharing the richness of Afro-Peruvian music and dance with other cultures. This project highlights the deep connections between different traditions, reminding us that, in the end, we are all one.
This year, I am honored to host, alongside my teacher Nadia Calmet, the first Reina del Festejo – Valentina Style Utah 2025. I am thrilled that this project is finally coming to life! It will take place on March 21 and 22, 2025, featuring a gala night on March 21 and workshops and competitions on March 22. I am beyond excited to see the community come together, and most of all, to witness young girls and adults dancing Festejo with love and passion.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2021, my life changed completely when I became a mother to my beautiful daughter, Belén. She has taught me to find beauty in everything—even in difficult moments. Thanks to Nadia’s teachings, I have learned how to transform challenges into art through dance. In 2023, I welcomed my second daughter, Luna. My husband and I wanted our daughters to experience a close family environment, surrounded by their grandmothers and cousins, so in January 2023, we decided to move back to Utah to start a new chapter and pursue homeownership. Everything worked out, and we are now proud homeowners. While we miss the cultural diversity and vibrant life of Los Angeles, we continue traveling back and forth since my husband’s design and construction work is based there. Being a mom of two toddlers, going to school, and working on call can be challenging, but not impossible. Some days are harder than others—staying up late doing homework or planning my next dance class—but through it all, dance remains an essential part of who I am. Thanks to dance, I feel I have grown so much as a person; it has shaped me, helped me evolve, and given me the drive to uplift others. My goal is to transcend beyond just dancing—I want to inspire, educate, and create meaningful connections through movement.
Returning to Salt Lake City after nearly a decade, now as a mother, has been both challenging and empowering. Shortly after moving back, I felt the need to reconnect with dance. I joined Facebook groups for women, dance, and community and quickly realized that many women in Utah were struggling with stress and depression. I read posts like, “I’ve been in Utah for over a year, and it’s been hard to make mom friends,” and “Life in Utah is so depressing—I stay home all day and wait for my husband to take me to Walmart, and that’s my only outing for the week.” I thought to myself, Why? I need to create a space for these women to move, to feel motivated, and to break free from this cycle of isolation.
Another challenge I’m facing right now is the decline in attendance at classes, workshops, and events due to ongoing immigration issues. This affects me both directly and indirectly, as I have friends who are struggling with these uncertainties. I put myself in their shoes and empathize deeply with their situation, but I also believe that life must continue. For me, resistance comes through art—through dance. It is my way of pushing forward, of creating a space where people can find joy, healing, and connection despite the hardships they face.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I focus on teaching Afro-Peruvian dance and music, and what sets my work apart is that there is no other Afro-Peruvian group with the mission of making the African influence in Peru visible while also incorporating traditional instruments like the cajón peruano, cajita, and quijada in their performances.
For my kids’ classes, “Discover the African Diaspora Through Dance,” I take great pride in not only teaching them dances from around the world but also integrating these instruments into their learning experience. Through the cajón, cajita, and quijada, I teach them the importance of working together as a community and truly listening to one another.
How do I do this? First, with the cajón, I teach them to listen to my playing before they respond. Then, I guide them to sing the rhythm before playing it. Finally, I help them understand that the rhythm they sing must sound the same when they play, reinforcing an essential life lesson: “Lo que sale de tu boca tiene que ir de la mano con tus acciones.” (What comes out of your mouth must align with your actions.)
There are always new kids joining my class, and my students already know that whenever someone new arrives, we welcome them with open arms and help them integrate into our little community. I love this part of the class because everyone is eager to teach the new student. Through this, the kids not only strengthen their sense of belonging but also practice self-confidence and learn to believe in themselves.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
To tell you the truth with what has been happening in the UNITED STATES, i don’t know anymore. I want the dance industry continuing to evolve, especially in terms of cultural representation and the blending of traditional art forms with modern expressions. There’s already a growing trend toward incorporating Afro-Latin and Afro-diasporic influences into various dance genres, and i want it to expand as more people recognize the richness and power of these traditions.
I also would want an increasing focus on educational and community-based programs. With the rise of global challenges—immigration issues, social inequalities, and mental health concerns—art, especially dance, will continue to be an essential tool for personal healing, empowerment, and connection. I want to see more dance schools integrating cultural history and the values of community, collaboration, and self-expression into their curriculum.
Finally, I hope to see more inclusion in the dance world, especially for kids, where diversity is celebrated, and every child can feel part of something larger than themselves. I am passionate about building a space where students can discover not only dance but also the power of listening, community, and collaboration. This approach will become more mainstream as people seek more than just entertainment, looking for art that heals, connects, and creates meaningful change.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bailautah and @eve87lyn
