International Ambassador of Dominican Arts, Edwin Manuel Ferreras Madrigal, is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic educator of music, dance, and ethnomusicology. Born in San Pedro De Macor's, Dominican Republic, he moved to Washington Heights at a young age. While in New York City, he earned his BA in Music Education K-12 with a secondary concentration in Music at City College. After graduating, Edwin began his career as an arts educator. Today he works as an international teaching artist with partner Dakhóta Romero and their company Areíto Arts and as a Music and Dance teacher in NYC public and charter schools grades pre-K through 8th. Merengue and Bachata are two genres of dance that have their roots in the Dominican Republic but have gained popularity worldwide. Bachata is a style of dance and music that originated in the 1960s. It is known for its low bluesy rhythm, which focuses on the guitars and guira and bongo drums. Today Bachata is one of the most well-known rhythms around the world. Some famous bachata artists include Romeo Santos and Aventura. On the other hand, Merengue is fast-paced and lively, with a fuller band and emphasis on the Tambora beat. It is the pride and joy of the Dominican Republic and has become a staple in Latin American music. Some popular merengue artists include Fefita La Grande and Juan Luis Guerra. Although these genres have differences, they share a common trait - they are guaranteed to get you moving!
