RSO - Contagio Latino

Contagio Latino is a Latin-based music and dance Registered Student Organization at the University of Massachusetts, open to UMass Amherst students, as well as those of the Five College Consortium. Contagio Latino’s name was inspired by the father of the founding President who taught his daughter to dance. Dance and music are very special aspects of Latin culture. Over the course of the past decades, Latin music has grown to dominate music charts worldwide, with many artists taking the world by storm.  

Our mission is to promote the Latin diaspora through the art of dance and music, both contemporary and modern at our UMass Amherst campus. We strive to promote this diaspora to students who seek comfort and a home away from home, within our organization. Simultaneously, we aim to educate students, who may not necessarily identify as Latin, about our diverse music and dance styles. We also work to shed light to modern and underrepresented dances of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Contagio Latino is home to El Remedio, its very own performance team. El Remedio is an audition-based group that holds weekly rehearsals for its members. Throughout the year, El Remedio performs at UMass Amherst events, both its own and those of other Registered Students Organizations. The team is made up of dancers of all different backgrounds coming in with varying experiences, allowing them to explore their identity through the means of dance and foster a family supporting one another’s growth, both as a team and as individuals. All levels of dance experience are welcomed, encouraged to attend general body meetings, and audition for El Remedio. 

Latin music is for everyone to enjoy. Latin rhythm is unavoidable. It's impossible to keep still when our music plays. Once one person starts dancing to the rhythm, everyone joins in. It's contagious! Es contagioso! And that is another one of the most beautiful things about music and dance in our culture- is that someone WILL be there to pull you in to have a great time, and at one point, everyone is on the dance floor. This is the inclusivity we seek to provide on our campus.