We celebrate Nydia Padilla Rodriguez, NPR the real one not National Public Radio.
An educator, teacher, dancer and a stalwart community-builder for over 50 years, Nydia epitomizes how her passion for dance ignites her work and play. Her love for dancing and teaching resulted in the founding of Borinquen Dance Theatre (BDT), a 43 plus year local non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the artistic, academic and cultural development of area children through the discipline of dance.
For the Real NPR, teaching and learning local youth to dance is just the tip of iceberg. She uses dance to instill discipline in her dancers and demands that participants, which has been provided gratis, maintain at least a 2.50 GPA in school and attendance. Further, she mentors and stays involved in the professional and personal lives of her dancers. What she finds most rewarding is when alumni return as instructors or choreographers to "give back" to our younger generation.
While running BDT as the Artistic Director, she was also the former Rochester City School District’s Strategic Community Partnership Director, Vice Principal at James Madison High School, and Dr. Martin Luther King School No. 9. She taught Math to ABC Bilingual Nurses Aid program and held administrative positions at United Way and Monroe County.
But what endears me to Nydia is her sense of familia, community and being there! She’s not only there for her family and friends, but also shows up for her favorite local brands, aka Mansawear. I observed how Nydia took care of her aging and ailing mother of 87 years of age by taking her into her home and to all her events, including to a Mansawear reception. But it doesn’t stop at her parents. The exquisite care, compassion that she showered on her mom extends to all her siblings, especially the infirm sisters.
Nydia ALWAYS attend any and all Mansawear events as a supporter, model, brand ambassador and friend. As you can tell from the numerous pictures of Nydia in her Mansawear mashup, this is the reason she’s the Real NPR.
Here’s to Nydia Padilla Rodriguez, the real NPR, not the NPR of National Public Radio!
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