My name is Zoe Novello and I am a sophomore at Barnard College studying dance and math. I am really passionate about arts education, and in particular, how we can use dance as an educational tool to build self confidence, stimulate creativity, and promote cultural awareness in children and young people. I believe that dance can be an extremely powerful tool in all of these respects and more, and can say definitively that it was for me growing up. I took my first dance class when I was in 5th grade and haven't stopped since. One of my favorite things about dance is that you get to use your body to do amazing, physically challenging, artistic, and emotionally charged movement. Through this, I have come to find a much deeper understanding and appreciation for my body and as an extension myself. I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of Movement Exchange’s sustainable dance education program in Panama this May and to share dance with children in orphanages and schools, and through this, to be a part of the dance education that could help these children to grow in their body positivity and self appreciation.