DANCE LESSONS

Today, we sit down with Gabriel Toribio and Genesis Cabarcas, founders of The Diverse Effect, Clifton, New Jersey, who are leading this group of young creatives expressing themselves and sharing their voice with the world through the art of dance. These visionaries created their company to exist as more than a studio or company; but it's a judgement-free safe hub of dancers with diverse backgrounds that come together as one to affect individuals with knowledge and guidance in the world of dance. The Diverse Effect welcomes all ages to be come away from life and refill their cup in a fun, creative way with people who are different but celebrate & embrace difference.

In this editorial, the dancers are the models, and Genesis and Gabriel are the instructors that invite us to think differently about The Remedy of movement, rhythm, sound, energy, and frequency.

LESSON #1

Dance is a way for us to express kindness to ourselves from within. Expression is free.

Gabriel : "We thrive on pushing our dancers out of their elements. I'm a firm believer that pressure makes diamonds. Yes, you have a certain style. However, I am willing to give you the tools that empower you to move beyond your comfort zone through expressing what you love to do. This is my gift. My kindness is giving everything I know to help you grow from within."

Genesis : "I come from a more emotional standpoint. For me, when you open space for someone's emotions, you open a door. When you open space a space that costs nothing, that itself is an act of kindness. I come from a space where I had to pay and push for open spaces. What we do is create a space for people to come in and dance without having to pay anything. I feel like we shouldn't have to require people to pay to find themselves and become their authentic self.

We provide a safe space to be free. Be you. Find yourself. We are just guides. We create family with whoever comes through the door and that should be free."

LESSON #2

Anyone can dance. Individual style is key. We are already dancing all the time.

Gabriel:m : “If you think you can't do something, I am the right person to challenge your thinking. Anyone can dance. A good thing about how we work is that we understand different perspectives and personalities. Dance is about perspective. If you think you can, you can. We are about showing people that they can. It takes you getting out of your bubble a little bit - in a safe way - but once you give us that space, we will bust that door wide open.

Genesis : "There are two sides to everything. I want people to see how they can see, not how 'we' or 'I' see. You can dance. You just have to learn how to move your body and accept that you move as you. Dance is you versus you. It's emotional. It's cause and effect. It's channeling to find you."

Gabriel : "Every one of our dancers is taught differently. We teach you through what you know. If you play sports, I'm going to teach through sports. My job is to understand what you do in your daily life or your hobbies because it's easier to teach you through that. I will teach you dance through your everyday movement even if I have to study your hobby or profession, that's my job. Then you I show you how you can apply your individual style."

Genesis: "My background is more technical, and I'm studied in dance history...Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham...which is good. But everyone doesn't come from that and may not resonate with following a program. For us, it's not about you getting the steps…it's about you finding your style."

LESSON #3

Everyone can have rhythm!

Gabriel : "Even if you listen to rock or heavy metal. It's technically a rhythm and I can teach you through what you listen to...any music at all. If you have an ear for instruments or even lyrics, I've done it. From novices to professionals, it's been my experience that anyone can be taught. Actually, it's easier to teach people with no experience because their foundation is clean. Most people that dance already have perspective on how they should move. There is no set way to move. Your style - not what they teach, or you see - is what authentically comes to you unfiltered...raw. It's feeling.”

Genesis : "It's a blank canvas. There's nothing here, there are no lines to stay in. Dance is art and you can move in any direction in which you feel you need to go or want to go...or even have to go through. In life, there are no straight lines. There are hills...there are bushes. You're going to go through it.

There's beauty in that process and we don't ever want to kill that. I feel like this is kindness too; giving someone space to freely journey in rhythm and style."

LESSON #4

Dance is a remedy!

The Diverse Effect team has created a therapeutic experience called The Remedy in which anyone is welcome to join in a time of selfhealing through rhythm, sound, and movement.

Inspired and led by Edgar De Las Nueces, The Remedy is set to become one of the most soughtafter programs under The Diverse Effect brand.

Gabriel : "One of our dancers, Edgar, had an experience that inspired him to create a The Remedy. The Remedy is a dedicated moment of expression & release through dance where other dancers are there with you as you share your feelings through dance, and we collectively help you find peace."

Genesis : "We give a prompt; a storyline. We ask a question. What are you dealing with? What are you battling? It could be what's your fear. You 'answer' through dance. Dance therapy is a thing. What we do with The Remedy is kind of like being in the writers' room; except your dance is your story. Your movement is your pen. We invite you to an opportunity to share your story without having to speak.

When it's over, whatever is holding you down physically or literally...you're standing tall and light. The sessions are not recorded, no cameras are allowed. It kills the vibe when cameras are out. The Remedy is vulnerable but safe, and that's where the beauty is."

Dancers as Models : Genesis Cabarcas, Gabriel Toribio, Bryan Catala, Joshualy Flores, Jeidy Encarnacion, Minelsy Jimenez, Edgar De Las Nueces, Destiny Diaz, and Nicole Restrepo

Agency : CURRENT•LY™ Global, Inc.

Dance Company : The Diverse Effect - Clifton, New Jersey • Instagram @the diverse_effect

JOURNALIST

A Proper Introduction

Enkayia Parra is award-winning professional tattoo artist (since 2007) and fine artist (since 2012) with oil painting as his primary medium. He has also been a photographer since 2021.

Working out of Inception Tattoos based in San Antonio, Texas, his patrons rely on his discerning eye and top skill to achieve the permanent art they are imagining. [To view his work, you can follow him on Instagram under @enkayia.] But there is much more to this multitalented individual than the excellent work he does.

“I could say that I tattoo, draw, paint, and take pictures for a living. But that's only half of what I do. I am actually here to do my best and leave a lasting impression on the people that I meet on life's journey.”

The Interview

Tattoo culture is its own world and the artists who cultivate a lucrative career within this sector typically carry an air of “cool” in all they do. Enkayia is no exception, though it’s clear by his down-to-earth demeanor that he doesn’t necessarily see it that way. “If you visit my Instagram, my short bio at the top says that “I am a professional tattoo artist, photographer, painter, and living paradox.” But that doesn’t carry any weight like my backstory. So, let's go back to a time before I was comfortable with my artist name—Enkayia [pronounced "en-Kah-yah"; the 'i' is silent].

It must have been 11th or 12th grade when I was indirectly discouraged by my teacher into not pursuing a career as an artist. We had just taken some kind of career placement / aptitude test, and my score was 90% art and 10% psychology. I asked my teacher if these were good odds for me or if I could hope for a good financial future. To which she replied that I would be faced with a struggling artist's lifestyle—low income, so to speak. I immediately got the impression that I was screwed and that I needed to find something better to do.”

This kind of discouragement has always been typical and commonplace within the American public school system. Though much headway has been made to correct this anti-art propaganda, even in 2024 it tends to be a soft subject. “As a result, I spent the next couple of years working boring typical jobs, just for the money. Until one day, I finally relented, decided to commit to art, despite what my teacher had said, and discovered my happiness with tattooing in 2007.

My teacher wasn't wrong about the struggling artist lifestyle, but she wasn't completely right either. I have met so many wonderful people since I became a full-time artist. To be honest, I'm glad I didn't listen to her.”

For Enkayia, support never really came from home, by way of encouragement in relation to his art. “I have my little brother and sister. My dad is not a warm dad that pats you on the back for a good job. My biological family has always just dismissed my artistry as an everyday common thing.

The people who truly give me feedback are my extended family, made up of close friends and followers. The most memorable experience I have of being an artist is when people truly appreciate my vision. For example, they will buy one of my paintings, or they will use one of my pictures as their profile photo. That is the highest compliment I have ever received.”

Nothing slows him down when it comes to being a career artist. “Nowadays, if I don't create art daily, I don't eat. I like those odds because the stakes are high, and it makes what I do for a living an innate skill that very few people possess. Normally, people trade their time for a paycheck. In exchange for a living, I trade what I am as an artist and leave pieces of myself in every artwork that I produce. It is very gratifying to know that I can make a living, or even buy a motorcycle in cash, just because people love my vision / artwork and are willing to pay for my creations.

I have been a professional tattoo artist for 16 years now. I have been an oil painter for about 10 years and a photographer for about 2 years. I have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil in my hand. I can truly say that 90% of my existence is art related.” It’s not a complicated life. For Enkayia, it’s an honest living, and one he wouldn’t trade for anything.

“I moved to San Antonio in 2012 and got a job at Inception Tattoos immediately. I had seen Inception in many tattoo magazines and had made up my mind to go work with them one day. I also have two tattoo awards to my name. One in first place for "Best Portrait" at Lethal Ink Tattoo Expo (2010) in Piedras Negras, Mexico. And another in second place for "Best Horror" style tattoo from Immersed in Ink in San Antonio, Texas (2013).”

One of the aspects of his practice that make Enkayia unique in the industry is his choice of tools. “Nowadays most tattoo artists use ‘pen style’ rotary tattoo machines, which are silent. I still use the traditional coil machines that buzz when they are running. Coil tattoo machines can be rather loud and scary sounding to some people. I prefer these machines because of their unique feel and I repair / tune them myself.”

“When I am not tattooing, I enjoy watching anime, reading fiction books, and going out to meet interesting people. I also ride my motorcycle to wind down and go on motorcycle group rides on occasion. I typically ride with local motorcycle groups in San Antonio I discovered on Facebook— not to be mistaken with motorcycle clubs. Nothing wrong with clubs, it’s just that I don't have enough time in my day to commit to more activities.”

Between his work and adventurous hobbies, Enkayia stays busy. “I meet new people daily and tend to be bad with names because of it. I used to be more introverted before I discovered tattooing, but I became more charismatic and outgoing because of it. Which makes meeting new people a breeze. Everyone I meet is a potential new client.

A favorite personal quote of mine is : "Your network, is your net worth." I just happen to have a camera, a paint brush, or a tattoo machine in my hands most of the time. Which makes it easy to approach and meet new people. My career or job titles are almost the perfect ice breakers, and my camera is the perfect prop. I like that I can switch hats seamlessly between a tattoo artist, a painter and a photographer.”

He holds his personal philosophies close. “I am still in search of my Magnum Opus. For those of you who don't know, an artist's magnum opus is their greatest work of art in their lifetime. As an artist, I am very keen on leaving behind a legacy.” He’s constantly looking at the bigger picture. “I want to be remembered when I am long gone. My artwork and the impression I leave behind in people's minds is immortality, so to speak.”

This philosophical approach to life extends to a broader sense of how he interacts with the world around him—specifically, in regard to philanthropy. “If I ever make it big one day and become a worldwide success overnight, I would like to contribute to charities that help children in need.” When asked why children’s charities specifically, he candidly explained, “This question cuts deep. Because I have lost children. That is all I care to say about that at this moment.

When I see children in need, I feel inadequate. I feel like I could do more. I feel like if I could take their place and suffer their burden, I would. So I donate whenever I can, so long as I can see that the funds go directly to the people in need. If the charity involves children, I will do my best to participate and donate. Bottom line, children should not be made to suffer the harsh reality of this world. I just wish I could do more.”

He recommends one such outreach he believes in. “I currently donate once a month to @murphslife on Instagram. His name is Aaron Murphy, and he completely changes the lives of people in Latin American countries. I contribute to his cause because I like seeing that my funds don't "hit any branches on the way down." In other words, my money doesn't go to staffing costs or other things like it often does in major organizations. 100% of my donation goes to helping people. It fills me with light and happiness knowing that I make a difference.”

The connections he makes and the way he touches the lives of those around him is important to him. “I am very excited for what the future has in store for me. Life can be brutal, but your perception of life has a lot to do with how you tackle obstacles and problems.

Creating a work of art is very much the same process. At first things might look a little bit sketchy. A portrait might look off, sometimes not even like the person that you are trying to paint. You might even have to start from scratch a few times. But if you trust the process, apply the fundamentals, go with the flow and genuinely enjoy the journey, you will come to realize that you made a great painting at the end.

I don't stress difficult projects for that reason. I try not to stress life's problems for that matter either. I trust that I will always land on my feet, and as a result, things usually pan out well for me. Just like when I paint.”

As a photographer, Enkayia primarily captures live performances in the alternative scene. “Lately, the biggest compliment to my photography is when big name bands (like Vandal Moon) use my work and post my pictures. I am just beside myself and happy about this.

I have done weddings and things like that. I am slowly branching out into more common place photography. I am working on getting more equipment so l can do studio photography. Now, I am exclusively doing photography for Bewitched here in SATX. Bewitched is a group that focuses on Alternative / Goth / Dark dance events. They are known to bring big music acts in the industry and have several branches throughout Texas, including Bewitched HTX and Bewitched STX.”

It’s been a pleasure coming to know Enkayia Parra through this process, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing him for more ink very soon! “You can find me across all social media by searching my name—Enkayia. Stop by and say hello to me at Inception Tattoos, Tuesday - Saturday. To book an appointment or photography session, contact me on Instagram under @enkayia.”