About this Event
SEGUNDA QUIMBAMBA SCHOOL – FALL 2026 SEMESTER
Hola Familia!
2026 marks a milestone for the organization with the 20th Anniversary of the Segunda Quimbamba School established in the spring of 2006 in a partnership with the Jersey City Museum. We are excited for the Fall Semester to celebrate our beautiful culture and uplift each other! Learning about la música, cultura y comunidad. We can't wait to welcome you and share our love and passion for Puerto Rico!
Learn Afro-Puerto Rican percussion and dance, beats and moves with Segunda Quimbamba! We've been teaching the rich cultural folkloric music known as la Bomba and la Plena for over 36 years in Jersey City, and throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania and beyond.
Segunda Quimbamba's foundational learning and teaching in Bomba is rooted in the traditions of la Familia Cepeda de Santurce. Plena learning started with NYC's pioneers Los Pleneros de la 21.
In discussion and demonstration, the students gain an understanding of the various regional differences in the dances and percussion rhythms from Loiza to Mayaguez, but know there are many more regional variations. The rhythms that we practice are: sica, cuembe, calinda, yuba, holandé, seis corrido, rule, balance and oyó mula.
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PROGRAM FUNDING SUPPORT
This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners. Public Funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund. Resident Partnership at the Nimbus Arts Center extending community access impact.
Program and Facility ADA Access:
Contact Nanette Hernández for assistance for accommodations and to answer your requests or questions. Please send an email to Nanette at [email protected] or call/text 201-463-4814.
Nimbus Dance studio and theater building is an ADA compliant and accessible venue. Please visit their website https://www.nimbusdance.org/ for complete venue accessibility information.
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SIGN UP NOW: Great exercise, healing and positive energy! Fun and supportive community. The fall session will lay the foundation for the spring session advancing and building your dance and percussion experience.
This semester the students are immersed in learning the Bomba rhythms: Cuembe and Yuba bookended with Plena Dance and Percussion.
This term dives into Plena in the first two weeks, then Bomba rhythms for 6 weeks and ends with 2 weeks of Plena as we prepare for the Parranda. Students focus on spatial awareness movement, time, and listening to identify the distinct rhythms. Each dance class begins with a warm up.
FALL DANCE & PERCUSSION GENERAL SESSION
September 27 - December 13, Sunday Afternoons from 2 - 5 PM
Session culminates with Neighborhood Parranda on December 13, 2 - 5 PM
All classes are held at the Nimbus Arts Center in Downtown Jersey City.
On-site registration will be available at Nimbus. Last enrollment day on-site is October 4 and online October 10.
CLASS DATES:
Sept 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 last day at Nimbus.
Dec 6 (optional class that will be held at the Segunda Quimbamba Center)
Dec 13 LA PARRANDA meet up in Hamilton Park 2 PM in Jersey City!
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First DAY Sept 27:
Playing live music, the team welcomes everyone! Listening and observing the ritmos played and danced by the instructors and Segunda Quimbamba members. We convene in a circle sharing our names, where we are from, why we are in the space, and what each of us hopes to gain, develop and pass forward as we grow together. Welcome packets will be emailed to students within the first weeks of classes. Limited hard copies will be made available. Information reviewed in class.
The Education team will assign beginner and returning students to appropriate class. Program supports and challenges students where they are in the learning process.
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DANCE: BOMBA and PLENA
Dance 1 Beginner Level for ages 12 and up
Plena dance is introduced first in the program then we move into Bomba dance and end with Parranda preparation.
Plena dance steps and patterns are learned then students are given the opportunity to work together to create/choreograph a routine for the Parranda.
Rhythms Cuembe and Yuba basic fundamental steps are introduced and technique exercises for grounding the dancer in the rhythm. Body, posture, movement in space and spatial awareness is emphasized. Students will deepen their understanding of space as you learn about the dynamic exchange between the lead drum and dancer. This conversational exchange is uplifted through observing, listening, and engaging with intention and awareness of the community. Singing coro in the call-and-response method in the Spanish language. Discussion of the community experience when in the practice of bomba y plena. _______________________________________________________________________________________
PERCUSSION: BOMBA and PLENA
PERCUSSION 1 Beginner Level for ages 14 and up
Plena pandero drums and guiro are introduced first then we move into Bomba percussion. Students are introduced to the Bomba drum and all major and minor percussion elements. Bomba rhythms students will focus on are Calinda, Oyo Mula and Yuba barril hand technique. Metronome work for Barril. Focus on maraca technique. Engaging with dance students to build up learning to sustaining the rhythm, listening, observing and following cues and messaging that are going on including the energy of the community in the space.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ COMBO DANCE AND PERCUSSION CLASSES - SAVE and ...
DEEPEN your learning: Consider signing up for both dance and drum classes as a combo! These disciplines are intertwined and learning them together will deepen and enhance a full embodied experience of the drums and dances of our ancestors.
TOUCH POINTS: Attend Zoom meetings: Hablando con los Maestros for additional classroom support, discussions / demonstrations of techniques in dance or drum, cultural history, the instruments, the rhythms, the diaspora as we build community.
SQFC offer beginners and advanced learning to all students. Private classes also available. Families and returning student discounts available. Classes are for Adults and Children. See you in Class! _________________________________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Maximum number of students per class is 25-30 students.
Dance 1 Beginner Level Class Times: 3:00 - 4:00 PM and 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Students with 2 semesters or more attend the 3 - 4 PM Class
Students with less than 2 semesters attend the 4 - 5 PM Class
Education team will adjust assigned classes as needed. Ages 12 and up
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Percussion 1 Beginner Level Class Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Ages 14 and up
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Fall Semester Program Fees for the PERCUSSION and DANCE Classes~
New students: $275
Returning Students Disc: $265
DEEP SAVE - COMBO Percussion and Dance Class Special Offer: $495
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Nimbus Arts Center: What can I bring into the studio?
For dance, dress comfortably NO footwear in the studio or theater. A limited number of dance skirts and percussion instruments are available in class. If you own a dance skirt or drum, please bring it with you to classes. Bring your own water, personal hand sanitizer and mask.
Transportation:
Getting to classes-
What is my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Nimbus Arts Center •329 Warren St. • Jersey City, NJ 07302 www.nimbusdanceworks.org • Phone/fax (201) 377-0718
Trains: Take PATH to Grove Street STOP, then a short walk east towards the water on Columbus turning left onto Warren Street, venue at 329 Warren Street. Or Exchange Place STOP walk west on Columbus away from the water to Warren Street turn right for venue.
Car: Limited Street or paid parking available in the area of Downtown Jersey City.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Segunda Quimbamba contact is Nanette Hernandez, [email protected] or call or text 201-463-4814
Nimbus Arts Center •329 Warren St. • Jersey City, NJ 07302 www.nimbusdanceworks.org • Phone/fax (201) 377-0718
IMPORTANT GUEST INFORMATION PLEASE READ
NOTE ON NIMBUS ARTS CENTER PROTOCOLS ON COVID SAFETY: visit nimbusdance.org for updated information
Event venue & nearby stays
Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren Street, Jersey City, United States
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