photo by Klaus Schoenwiese
Afro-Cuban Dance
A richly textured introduction to Afro-Cuban dance, focusing on the Yoruba-based dances for the Orisha and Afro-Cuban rumba. Students learn rhythms, songs, and dances, as they listen to and dance the conversation of the drums. The spiritual, historical, and cultural context is carefully and thoughtfully addressed as students locate their participation within a living and evolving tradition.
photo by Julia Discenza
Advanced Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance
Rooted in traditional rhythms and dances, this class is directed towards the experienced mover and dedicated dance student who is prepared to go deeper into the aesthetic intricacies of Afro-Cuban dance. This is a challenging exploration of Afro-Cuban movement principles, cultural knowledge, and spiritual themes, with a focus on the expressive, emotional, and energetic dimensions of Afro-Cuban dance performance.
Afro-Cuban courses offered as workshops or residencies are most impactful when taught in collaboration with live accompaniment by master musicians. Please contact me for more information.
Cuban Salsa (Casino) and Rueda de Casino
Students learn the fundamentals of Cuban-style salsa (Casino), including rhythm, form, expressive quality, basic steps, and the skills of lead and follow. Rueda de Casino, or “wheel” of Casino, is a playful and exhilarating group dance of several partners dancing and exchanging partners in unison in response to the “calls” of the leader.
photo by Mathew Murphy
Contemporary Dance
An exploration of Afro-Cuban movement principles in conversation with classical, modern, and contemporary movement ideas. Students explore the relationship between form/freedom within an Africanist movement aesthetic, and practice navigating this relationship as it shifts across a range of movement concepts. Students will observe the cultural perspectives embedded in form, including ideas about beauty, strength, power, artistry, mastery, and engage these ideas from their personal movement biographies.
Retreats and Professional Development Workshops
Culturally-based team building and professional development workshops for organizations large and small. Participants explore lead, follow, and the dynamics of groups and community through a fun and accessible Salsa-based program. This unique offering gives participants a rare opportunity to embody the dynamics of the organizational framework while connecting with their teammates in a fresh, safe, and joyful format.
Private Lessons
Private lessons offered in Cuban Salsa, Afro-Cuban Dance, and a more contemporary format that combines meditation, movement, and contemporary dance phrases. Classes combine a careful attention to dance fundamentals, artistry, and cultural knowledge towards gentle and vital awakenings of mind-body-energy.