Artists
Dawes Figueroa (Cuba)
Dawes started dancing in Cuba in the major theatres. He later moved to Italy, gaining success as a dancer and choreographer, taking part in major congresses and events across Europe.
In 2008 the pair Dawes – Rayda resumed under the project CubaRumba.com, where we can finally admire them in a fantastic work on Cuban Folklore.
Rayda Salas (Cuba)
Rayda started her dancing career in the 'Osirad Azul' company directed by Raul Cabrera, belonging to Asociacion Caribena de Cuba. She continued to work on many great projects in Cuba and Puertorico including 'Jala-Jala Dancing' company, the 'Ritmo Caribe' company, Casa Della Musica Egrem, and Cabaret 'Tropicana'.
Lisandra Gutierrez Diaz (Cuba)
Trained at the Academia Nacional del Ballet Espanol de Cuba, Lisanda graduated in Flamenco and as a Professor de Ballet Espanol, following which she was a member of ballet corps at Ballet Espanol de Cuba. During her 4 years with Havana Rakatan, she toured Europe and Russia, and has been a lead dancer with both Cabaret Tropicana and Cabaret Parisienne. She has performed at all the leading festivals across Cuba, has modelled for Paco Rabanne, and was most recenlty seen at the Edinburgh Fringe in sell-out show Soy de Cuba.
Oscleidys Orduñez (Cuba)
Trained at the Escuela de Tony Menendez and the Escuela Nacional de Tropicana in Cuba, Oscleidys spent four years as Solo Artist for the Ballet de Tropicana in Havana, with whom he has toured internationally. He has starred in the Cuban hit Soy De Cuba as lead dancer, which has gained great popular and critical acclaim across Europe, most recenlty being awarded 5 stars at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2011).
Oscleidys and his partner Lisanda are both well regarded and sought-after Latin dancers whose talent has taken them around the world.
Etián Antuche Almeida (Cuba)
Born in 1983 in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, Etián Antuche Almeida is a graduate of the internationally acclaimed Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Havana.
Etián began his specialist dance studies at the Pedro Raul Sanchez Vocational Arts School in Pinar Del Rio before moving to the Escuela Nacional de Arte in 1999.
At the National School of Art (ENA) Etian performed with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba performing in the Grand Theatre of Havana in the ceremony of homage to Sergio Vitier under the direction of master Choreographer Manolo Vázquez and the Festival Buscando la Cancion Ecologica under the direction of dancer and choreographer Rule Salvem.
Between 2000-2001, Etián performed at the Limburg Festival in Holland, the International Theatre School Festival in Amsterdam and at various festivals and events in the south of France, before returning to Cuba to perform at the 6th Festival of Dance in Urban Landscapes: "Old Havana: A City in Motion” where he also worked as a dance teacher at his old dance school in Pinar Del Rio.
In 2001, Etián created the dance company Danza-Guerra with Nilda Guerra and other graduates from ENA, performing in numerous shows, plays, films and music videos for famous Cuban singers and artists including Virginia, Moneda Dura and Compay Segundo.
In 2003, Etián was invited by the American choreographer Susha Hien to participate in the production "The Fantasy Island” at the Maho Casino Theater Royal in St Marten before joining the Italian tour of the Folkloric Ballet of Cuba. Etian returned to Cuba in 2004, where he rejoined the Danza-Guerra project, which was now known as Havana Rakatan.
In 2005 Etián worked as a choreographer at the XXIII International Ballet Competition in Havana and performed in numerous productions including the Way of Water by Dutch choreographers Feri de Geus and Noortje Bijvoets and La Noche by Cuban playwright Abilio Estevez.
Etián has worked as a choreographer with the Folkloric Dance Company of Pinar Del Rio and a teacher with the Compania de Danza Contemporanea of Pinar Del Rio and is a member of the Provincial Council of the Performing Arts.
In 2006 he joined the Rakatan Ballet Company as both a dancer and choreographer, participating in the XII Festival of Havana and the Lucas Gala Award ceremony among many others. In 2007 the company created the production Havana Rakatan that ran in London at the Peacock Theatre. The production proved to be a massive success and returned to the UK for a national tour in 2008 before touring Italy, Cuba and Australia before returning to the UK for another tour in 2009.
Iliana Cachon (Cuba)
Born in Guines in Havana, Cuba, Ileana first started to study dance in 1984 at the Juan Pablo Duarte Vocational Art School in Guira de Melena in Havana. After three years of elementary level training she continued her dance studies at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Havana specializing in modern dance, contemporary and folklore. Ileana graduated with the title Dancer and Teacher in 1992 and started working as a professional dance teacher in the Escuela Vocacional de Arte in Matanzas, Cuba.
In 1994 Ileana joined the Narciso Medina Contemporary Dance Company in Havana where she developed herself as a professional dancer performing in many contemporary dance works. The company provided her with the opportunity to work with the illustrious American choreographer Suki John. At the same time Ileana worked as a modern and contemporary dance teacher at the Narciso Medina Academy, teaching classes to adults and children. She also took part in the company production of the Cuban film, Zafiros Locura Azul.
Between 1997-1998 Ileana worked with Santiago Alfonso, the Maestro and Choreographer of the world-famous Cabaret Tropicana in Havana, participating in the production CARMEN OYA, together with the Cuban National Opera. She also work on the television programme Television CONTIGO DE 12 A 1 and for the popular Cuban singer Issac Delgado, with Cuban dancer and choreographer, Tony Menendez.
In 1998-2000 Ileana joined the Yoldance Dance Company in La Maison in Havana, under the direction of the choreographer and dancer Yolena Alonso, where she took part in various popular international tours and taught Cuban Salsa to international dancers visiting Cuba.
In 2001 arrived in London with the internationally acclaimed west-end musical LADY SALSA, directed by Toby Gought. Ileana returned to the UK in 2003 where she has been working as a dancer and choreographer with OiBrasil and Cubanadanza performing in numerous cultural events and festivals, including Carnaval Del Pueblo, Carnaval De Cuba, Latin Splash, Move It, and El Rumbon Cubano. Ileana is based in London where she regularly teaches classes in Cuban Salsa, Afro-Cuban folklore, Cuban popular dances, Rumba, Ladies Styling and technique.
Yersin Rivas (Cuba)
Idalberto Alcala (Cuba)
Alicia Bueno (Cuba)
Alicia Bueno Atie is a professional Cuban Folkloric Dancer. She was born in Guanabacoa Havana Cuba, where as a child she started to learn dance at the Casa de Cultura. As a teenager she continued her training with the dance company Combaye in Guanabacoa which has produced many dancers and musicians who have gone on to perform and teach across the world. She then joined Raices Profundas Folkloric dance company Directed by Juan de Dios Ramos who is one of the most famous folkloric performers in Cuba. Alicia spent 25 years with Raices Profundas during which time she performed throughout Cuba at many festivals and theatres as well making appearances on Cuban television.
With Raices she also performed in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Panama.
Alicia has also worked with Key 2 Cuba Holidays teaching dancing enthusiasts from all over the world to dance Salsa, Rueda, Rumba, Son Cha Cha Cha, Afro Cuban, Danzon, and Reggaeton.
Alicia now lives in Birmingham, England, and she is looking forward to passing on her many years of experience in all the different Cuban dance styles to the people of the UK and Europe.
Farah Portelo (Cuba)
Yainer Carbonell Vegueriz & The Descarga Dance Company (Cuba)
From Havana Cuba, Afro-Contemporary, Folklore dancer and choreographer, with experience on stage and screen. Credits include principal folklore dancer and coreographer for TVC Ballet Nacional, Cuba, and pricipal dancer for World-Famous (Lady Salsa). Significan performance, artistic direction and teaching experience in Afro Cuban, popular an contemporary Cuban dance. Training also in Ballet and acrobatics. Since February 2010, Artistc Director of Scotland's first company committed to progressing Black and Africa-Caribbean dance arts. The Descarga Dance Company, based at the company's own dance centre, Studio ILeache, Glasgow.
The Descarga Dance school offers clients of all ages with or without previous experience the opportunity to engage in a broad spectrum of Cuban, Latin-American and African-based dance forms. It delivers a programme of dance courses, workshops and events that serve to develop students' practical and cultural knowledge of popular dance and culture of African- and particularly Afro-Cuban heritage. Descarga Dance pursues a philosophy where 'technique' in dancing is understood to include an appreciation of dance as cultural and social history, as music, as communication with others, and as physical movement.
Javier Franco (Cuba)
From Havana Cuba, Classically trained dancer with extensive experience for stage and screen, Training also in contemporary dance, Cuban popular dance, Folklore and acrobatics. Thee years with the National dance company TV Ballet in Havana, following four years in Ballet-Core at the World famous Tropicana, Cuba. He also has more than 5 years experience teaching popular dance and Ballet to students and professionals.
Ulises Carrillo (Cuba)
Ulises is one of the youngest brightest and most talented up and coming Cuban Salsa stars on the UK Cuban Salsa scene.
Leandro Charanga (Cuba)
DJ Javier De La Rosa (Cuba)
Javier, winner of the 'Most Popular Cuban Salsa DJ Award 2006' and finalist in the Bacardi DJ Competition 2003, he is one of the most exciting Latin DJ's on the scene. He came to the UK five years ago from Havana, Cuba, where he worked at the Castillito Cultural Centre and was involved in various musical activities. He has been DJing in the UK since his arrival, playing Salsa and Timba Cubana, Reggaeton, latin Hip-Hop and R&B to suit the occasion. He featured in iD London magazine (October 2005 edition) as one of the UKs leading emerging acts in the urban latin music scene. Currently, you can find him playing at various clubs and events in London and the UK.
DJ Joel Verdecia - El Flecha (Cuba)
Better know as (Dj Flecha) has been Djing for many years and has had amazing DJ career, he has played up to 6 hours every night alternatively with the famous Cuban bands such as:
Los Van Van, Charanga Habanera, Adalberto Álvarez, Manolito Y Su Trabuco, Paulo F.G, Pupi Y Los Que Son Son, Issac Delgado, Maikel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor, Dan Den, Bamboleo, Michel Maza, Yumury Y Sus Hermanos, Pachito Alonso, Klimax, Gardi, Pedrito Calvo Y La Justicia, Charanga Forever, Charanga Latina, Alain Daniel, El Clan, Haila, Elito Revé, Oderquis Revé, Azúcar Negra, Carlos Manuel, Tirson Duarte, Afro Cuban All Stars, Jóvenes Clásicos Del Son, Eliades Ochoa, Los Papines.
Also other performances with the reggaetón bands Gente De Zona, Eddy K, Clan 537, Elvis Manuel, Cubanito 2002, Acento Latino, Pipey Y El Micha, Eminencia Clasica, Pandilla X, Techno Caribe, Triangulo Oscuro...
His passion is making people dance and inspiring them with fantastic Cuban and Latin Energy, Dj Flecha is known for keeping the dancefloor buzzing and energised all night in any club he plays.
Richard Fallon (UK)
A veteran of the London salsa scene, Rich is an instinctive and experienced dancer, at ease dancing and teaching all styles, though his distinctive funky take on contemporary Cuban Casino and Rueda de Casino, teaching them both on the 1 and in contratiempo (Son timing), is what he's best known for.
Moe Flex (UK)
Moe Flex is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining choreographers on the international Latin dance scene today! With the biggest smile in salsa, his boundless enthusiasm for dance is impossible to ignore and he has gained his reputation through sheer determination and talent.
As a leading authority in the field of dance, rhythm and body movement, Moe's unique style of teaching is now recognised Internationally and he takes his workshops and shows to congresses and events all over the world.
Natalie Ward (UK)
Nikola Medic (Serbia)
World Rueda De Casino Champion 2010
Having just moved to the UK, Nikola has started the 'Havana Londres' dance school and is rapidly setting the London Cuban Salsa scene on fire! On the dance floor you can't miss him! A talented dancer with exceptional musicality, his ruedas are a fusion of everything: afro, son, rumba, reggaeton, hip hop, crazy footwork, and above all, plenty of comedy!!
With his endless energy and infectious personality, be prepared to laugh, sweat, and take your rueda to a whole new level!
Vera Vision