Meet Jennifer Puig | Dance Master Teaching Artist & Trainer/ Dance Movement Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Puig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, why did you pursue a creative career?
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I always dreamed of becoming a dancer. Yet, opportunities to take formal dance classes were few and far between where I lived. Despite the lack of access, the dream never left my heart—it stayed with me like a quiet rhythm, waiting for its moment.

That moment arrived when my life took a major turn. I moved to Miami, Florida, leaving behind everything familiar: my home, my community, my culture. The transition was overwhelming and lonely, and I found myself slipping into depression. It was during this time that dance reemerged—not just as a dream, but as a lifeline. Movement became my medicine. It was through dance that I reconnected with myself, found new joy, and began to heal.

At 18, inspired to share this powerful tool with others, I began teaching dance in local libraries to Haitian families, using movement and rhythm to support literacy initiatives. Witnessing firsthand the transformative impact that the arts had on education and empowerment, I knew this work was my true calling.

Determined to deepen my understanding and make a greater impact, I pursued a degree in dance and later a master’s degree in dance/movement therapy. My goal was clear: to use the arts not just for performance, but as a powerful tool for healing, integration, inclusion, and education. Dance had saved me—and now, I dedicate my life to helping it save others too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Please tell us more about your career.

Today, I work as a dance and music teaching artist, as well as a trainer for classroom teachers on how to integrate the arts into education and foster inclusion. I also provide training for organizations and fellow teaching artists, focusing on best practices for inclusive arts programming, SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) skills, and mindfulness strategies. Each week, I teach across 27 classrooms, working with students ranging from 1 to 104 years old. Through my background in dance/movement therapy, I have had the honor of working with individuals across the full spectrum of disabilities, using the healing power of movement and rhythm to create meaningful connections and growth.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about

One of the projects I am most proud of is my YouTube channel: Universal Movement Education, sponsored by The Children’s Trust Fund and the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs. In this series, I presented six videos focused on best inclusive practices in music and dance, making arts education accessible for people of all abilities. Sharing these resources freely has allowed me to reach families, teachers, and learners beyond the walls of any one classroom, helping to make the arts a tool for inclusion on a broader scale.

How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What lessons have you learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you and your brand/story?

The path wasn’t easy. Like many artists and educators, I faced moments of uncertainty, self-doubt, and financial struggle. But through it all, I trusted in the transformative power of the arts. I made a conscious decision early on to dedicate my life to this work in whatever capacity I could—whether through a single classroom lesson or a major program initiative.

I’ve learned that perseverance, heart, and a deep commitment to inclusion can move mountains. I believe that the arts have the power to not just transform individuals, but entire communities and nations. My brand and story are rooted in that belief: wherever I go, I bring with me a mission to create spaces of belonging, healing, and empowerment through the universal language of the arts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Little bohemia Miami on a Wednesday night at 9pm in little Haiti – an artist house that host diverse community and artists every week for an open mic/ networking art space

Zey Zeys for a live concert on a Friday

Dante’s HiFI on a Sunday

North beach bandshell beach to catch a sunrise followed by “Sazon” breakfast

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am deeply grateful to the organizations that have supported and uplifted my journey over the past decade. A heartfelt thank you to A4L Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center, Arts4All Florida, and Young Audiences for believing in the power of the arts and for giving me the opportunities to share my work with communities across South Florida.

I also want to honor and thank my incredible mentors, Shirley Julien and Petagay Letren. Their belief in my potential, their encouragement, and their example have been a constant source of inspiration. They taught me the true meaning of giving back through the arts, and I carry their lessons with me every time I step into a classroom, a stage, or a community space.

Because of them—and because of the organizations that embraced my work—I continue to move forward with the mission to use dance as a force for healing, inclusion, and transformation.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpuig?igsh=bDNzejhxbGUxbG1k&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-puig-258b902a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16K5zsirPA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@universalmovementeducation5045?si=tyzkSp9OtJwCrrSs