the team of cubamemucho.com

(artists are subject to changes)

Alberto
(confirmed)

Alberto

His show and animation group is of considerable fame. All of their members originate from Cuba. Four professional dancers; all of the members have substantial experience as professional artists, were born and raised in Cuba and are internationally renown. They have taken part in numerous cultural and TV events, festivals, Cuban and other folklore events, have performed in salsa clubs and at salsa parties and took part in internationally renown Salsa Congresses, where they reaped huge success. They performed their shows in the most famous Latin American discos. They provide choreographic presentations that are rich in imagination and dynamics and are capable of combining and merging Mambo, ChaChaCha and Cuban Son with modern dance, Hip Hop, Rumba and Afro; Funky with Merengue and Salsa to create a unique atmosphere: the Timba. They are characterised by their professionalism and ability to improvise.

Seo

He was born in Cuba where he started dancing as a young boy, whether on the street or in school. He studied at the school for variety and show where in 1989 he received the title of professional dancer. His capabilities range from Hip Hop to folklore, from Classical to Salsa, from ChaChaCha to Rumba. He worked at various varieties and theatres in Havana and in 1992 became a member of the famous group for tourism and show, Cubanacan. His role here was choreographer and he created shows that went on tour through South America and Europe. His goal since 1995 has been to spread Latin American music and dances in Italy and thanks to his charisma he is extremely well-known as a club representative and for his extraordinary artistic capabilities as a dancer. He has worked as a dancer for many TV programmes at MTV. But he went even further! His artistic potential also spreads to other areas: he is known for his singing talents. He decided to create new shows for which he combined and merged a mix of Afro rhythms, Hip Hop and jazz with salsa. Singing the basis for their show himself, which has become a huge success. They are already known in Europe and are now trying to expand to the international market and are taking part in events internationally renown Salsa Congresses amongst various other events.

Niovis
(confirmed)

Niovis

Niovis Soto was born in Santiago de Cuba. She started to study dance at the age of twelve and attended the “La escuela de arte de base” in Santiage de Cuba. One year later in 1983 she took part in the dance festival of Santiago de Cuba with the group “Compania de Balet Internacional” managed by Alicia Alonso and danced as a soloist in two choreographies. E.N.A. (Escuela Nacional de Artes, National School of Arts). In 1987 she attended the Escuela Nacional de Artes (ENA-National School of Arts) and presented the choreography -Estudio Arcaico- at the festival for dance and choreography as author and solo performer. In the same year she took part in the -Conjunto Folclorico Nacional-. She worked as a teacher for dance techniques at the national school -Jorge Lefebre- in Santiago de Cuba where she stayed till 1995. In 1995 she moved to Europe, In 2003 she joined the Rueda of Alberto and won the Rueda de Casino world championships in Palariccia - Rome - and shortly afterwards she captured the title of Italian master of professional Cuban Salsa and flew to New York to the Salsa Congress in New York. She became National Salsa Champion in 2004 and in 2005 she took part in the World Congress of Cuban Salsa in Munich in Germany.

Jorge
(confirmed)

Jorge

es un profesional internacionalmente reconocido y admirado. Desde la salida de su cuba natal, ha transmitido el folklore de su país en gran parte de Europa: Alemania, Francia, Inglaterra y España, donde se estableció hará 8 años. Su experiencia le ha llevado a trabajar con artistas como David Civera y John Secada, Rusia y Fangia de Mireli, así como para marcas tales como: Coca-Cola, Mango, BBVA. Su fusión de salsa con hip hop y son con rumba hace que sus coreografías sean incomparables

Rafael
(confirmed)

Rafael

The life of Rafael (Sassy ), as a genuine child of Chango (the god of drums,dance and Women), has been linked up and about to dance since a very early age. He began his premature career at the age of 6 years old as a Guarachero of Regla, Rosalia de Castro. In his youth he participated and won the First Prize of the following Dance Festivals: Varadero's Festival, Benny More's Festival, the Chachacha!sFestival, and also winner of the prestigious Havana Dancing Prize and the Rumba Festival. Rafael Sassy Rodriguez has graduated from the world renown National Conservatory of Art and Performance (La Habana, Cuba) as a Choreographer of Modern Dance, Dancer and Specialist of Afro-Cuban Rhythms, Master in Casino, Chachacha, Mambo,Guaguanco, Rumba, etc. Sassy has collaborated and worked with the Cuban Television, Rueda de Casino Group, participated in national and international events and tours in his long career of 36 years. Rafael has been teaching, performing and setting the basis for thousands of european and world-wide students since 1995, that is to say, Salsiando with a great variety of Cuban Salsa Lovers... A Gozaaaaar!!

Yamira
(confirmed)

Yamira

es una graduada della escuela nacional de instructores de arte de la Habana, Cuba, como bailarina y profesora de danza. Tiene experiencia profesional como profesora de danza en tecnica de danza contemporanea, ballet,composicion coreografica y folklor cubano. Talleres de folklor afrocubano en Venezuela y Peru. Talleres de rumba cubana en Espana. Ademas talleres en congresos de salsa como profesora de estilo femenino. Bailarina del ballet de venevision del canal 4, participando en todos los espectaculos musicales con afamados artistas como Celia Cruz. Ha participado tambien en el video clip del disco - emigrante- del grupo Orischas.

Ivan
(confirmed)

Ivan

Iván Rodriguez Alvarez is geboren in Havana, Cuba. In 1986 voltooide hij zijn dansopleiding aan het Conservatorium van Havana, de "Escuela Nacional de Arte". Hij danste vervolgens tien jaar als solo danser bij het professionele gezelschap "Danza Contemporánea de Cuba". Sinds 1996 is hij in Nederland werkzaam als danser en docent. Hij werkte o.a.bij het Spui Theater, bij Otter & De Vries Producties en bij de Meekers o.l.v. choreograaf Arthur Rosenfeld. Regelmatig geeft hij workshops en dansdemonstraties.

Juan Jose
(confirmed)

Juan Jose

He was born in Havana, Cuba. In 1980, he went to study with the 'Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba', where his teacher was Juan Jesus Ortiz Alvarez, the pricipal dancer and choreographer. In the years of developing his own cuban salsa style, learning from wellknown Coreographers like Domingo Pau (Compania Folklorica de la Universidad de la Habana) and Johanes Garcia ( Compania Folklorica del INTUR) For his professionality, his expression and his own personal Style Juan Jose is well known all over Germany. Since 1999, he astonishes the audience with every single dance performance, his creative choreography aswell due to his erotic moves. In 2003 and 2004, Juan Jose is the winner of the German Professional Salsa Championship.

Juan Carlos
(confirmed)

Juan Carlos

Juan Carlos is van origine Cubaan, geboren te Santiago de Cuba. Voor kinderen in Cuba hoort dansen bij alle dagelijkse rituelen en zo was het zijn moeder die hem op zijn negende al de Charleston had geleerd. En zoals wij in Nederland leren schaatsen met een stoel, zo leerde Juan Carlos de basispassen van de Salsa te dansen met een deur! Bij gebrek aan een danspartner kreeg hij dit advies van zijn oudere broer. Niemand kon het huis in of uit want hij was de hele dag aan het oefenen. Dansen was toen al zijn passie!

Juan Carlos heeft naast een professionele dansopleiding ook een sportopleiding genoten en tien jaar lang op hoog niveau aan judo gedaan. Op zijn achttiende is hij gaan dansen bij de professionele groep Conjunto Folklorico Cotumba, vervolgens bij het Ballet Folklorico de Oriënte, beiden te Santiago de Cuba. In die tijd heeft hij ook als solist gedanst bij het bekende Cabaret Tropicana. Zes jaar later, op zijn 24e, deed hij auditie bij het Conjunto Folklorico Nacional in Havana. Dit is het hoogste dat je kunt bereiken op professioneel dansgebied in Cuba. Vier jaar lang danste hij bij dit zeer gerenommeerde dansgezelschap. Met dansers, zangers en percussionisten reisde hij naar Europa en Moskou. Zijn grote talent en het enthousiasme voor het dansen gecombineerd met passie en creativiteit maken hem uniek in de danswereld.

Jorge
(confirmed)

Jorge

Jorge was born in Ciego de Avila, a place situated in central Cuba. He grew up in Majagua, a small village famous for its origin of many authentic and traditional dances. Examples of these dances are papelote, el gavilan, el tumbantonio, zapato cubano, el punto guagiro, la caringa and many others. When Jorge was eight years old, he danced for the first time at the world festival XI de la Juventud y los estudiantes. Until he went to the dance academy, he danced at many national festivals.

From 1985 till 1989, he studied at the dance academy Escuela profesional de instructores de Arte “El Yarey”. He successfully completed his study as a professional dancer and teacher. During his study, he gained a lot of experience with dancing and teaching at many festivals and movies. From 1989 till 2000, he was one of the leading dancers, teacher and choreographer at the Ballet Folclorico Cutumba in Santiago de Cuba. This international dance company is specialised in Afro Cuban dances and music from the Oriënte (the southeast of Cuba). With this Ballet he toured through Europe and America to perform at many international festivals.

Eloy
(confirmed)

Eloy

nasce a Santiago di Cuba 1970 e inizia la sua carriera artistica negli anni '80, quando comincia i suoi studi di danza contemporanea nella scuola d arte della sua citta natale. Nel 1989 ottiene il titolo di Maestro, Istruttore, Ballerino e inizia a collaborare con diversi progetti per lo sviluppo artistico. Nel 1991 entra a far parte del gruppo -Ballet Folklorico Cotumba- in qualita di ballerino professionista e per il suo alto livello tecnico diviene maestro della compagnia ed entra a far parte del Consiglio tecnico artistico. Lo stesso anno il gruppo inizia un lungo tour in Spagna e Portogallo arricchisce lo spettacolo con danze della cultura Afro-Haitiana-Cubana. Partecipa a diversi Festival Nazionali. Nel 1995 inizia il suo lavoro come solista del gruppo. Nel 1998 arriva in tourné in Italia dove si dedica alla diffusione della cultura latina. Insegnante di salsa e danza popolare cubana nel 2001 entra a far parte del gruppo cubano di spettacolo e animazione. Nel 2005 partecipa al Congresso Mondiale della Salsa Cubana di Monaco.

Tomasito
(confirmed)

Tomasito

Nasce a Cuba, l'Havana il 21 novembre 1966. Ballerino, Coreografo, Direttore Artistico, membro Unione Scrittori e Artisti in Cuba (Arte Scenica). Inizia la sua carriera artistica nel 1980 con l'Associazione di Danza Spagnola. Nel corso dei suoi studi ha conseguito il diploma di Danza Popolare Cubana, Danza Classica, Danza Moderna, Folclore, Danza Spagnola. Nel 1990 ottiene il titolo di ballerino professionista nella scuola di Varietà e Spettacolo. Partecipa a gare internazionali e vincitore del primo premio come ballerino solista. Partecipa, come ballerino e coreografo, ad importanti programmi televisivi come Contacto, Premios Lucas, Festivales. A Cuba fa parte di diverse compagnie di ballo. Nel 1994 entra a fare parte del prestigioso cabaret Tropicana di Cuba. Nel 1996 diventa Direttore tecnico, coreografo e ballerino del gruppo di Rueda de Casino. Partecipa a tour nazionali ed internazionali e scambi culturali con paesi come Spagna, Messico, Canada e Italia nel 1999, qui partecipa ad alcuni programmi televisivi e Festival. Insegnante di Salsa, Balli popolari, Hip Hop Latino e Funky, ed animatore. Attualmente componente del gruppo di Alberto, di spettacolo e animazione.

Margerita
(confirmed)

Margerita

Margarita, Cubaanse uit Santiago de Cuba, heeft als professioneel danseres een ruime ervaring opgedaan in de populaire, folklore en traditionele ritmes die het prachtige eiland Cuba rijk is. Acht jaar lang heeft zij in verschillende professionele groepen gedanst zowel in Havana als in Santiago de Cuba. Als laatste, voordat ze naar Nederland kwam, danste ze bij het beroemde Tropicana de Santiago. International ervaring in o.a. Colombia, Espana en Francia.
Enkele jaren na haar aankomst in Nederland heeft zij haar eigen dansschool opgericht -Soy Cuba-. Hier geeft zij les in een uitgebreid repertoire aan Cubaanse combinaties. Met grote liefde, enthousiasme en charisma brengt ze deze over op de geïnteresseerde die komen dansen bij Soy Cuba! Inmiddels heeft zij al geruime tijd naam door haar temperament en haar plezierige manier van lesgeven. Door haar snelle en doeltreffende lesmethode bereikt ze goede resultaten, niet alleen in de manier van dansen maar ook door ervoor te zorgen dat haar leerlingen elk uur en iedere week dat ze komen er ontzettend veel plezier aan beleven.

Angel
(confirmed)

Angel

Angel worked for eleven years as a lecturer in art, philosophy and Cuban culture in various Cuban universities and was Director of the university art department. During this period, he realised scientific research and published articles on the roots of the Cuban culture, the folklore, ethnography, traditions and influence of migration in the richness of the Cuban music and dance. Between 1990 and 1999, Angel was the General Director and Producer of the Compañía Danza JAGUEY, one of Cuban dance groups with that gained awards both in and outside of Cuba.
As from 1999, Angel teaches Cuban dances in Europe. He teaches all Cuban styles of music and dance from changüi dance original from Guantánamo, Angel’s birthplace) to son, rumba and the modern styles. Experienced dancer and choreographer, Angel’s lessons and choreographies are based on Cuban ways of dancing because this is the corporal expression of the richness of the Cuban musical rhythms. It is a harmonious and coherent mixture between traditions, improvisation and creativity.

Rafael
(confirmed)

Rafael

He comes from Santiago de Cuba, where he studied to become a dancer. He has worked in Cuba until 2001 as a professional dancer, musician and choreographer in various folkloristic groups, participating in the most famous dance festivals. Together with the folkloristic dance group Cutumba, he went 2001 on a tour through Europe. He has performed in the most prestigious theaters and concert halls of the Benelux.

Gabriel
(confirmed)

Gabriel

El cantante de Cubamemucho

Valeriano
(confirmed)

Valeriano

is geboren in Havana, de hoofdstad van Cuba. Op zijn dertiende verhuisde Valeriano naar Bayamo, 120 km verwijderd van Santiago de Cuba en 766 km van Havana. In Bayamo kwam de andere tak van sport (letterlijk en figuurlijk) aan bod. Hij studeerde aan de EIDE (Basis Sportschool voor Studenten). Daar stortte hij zich met al zijn energie op basketbal en atletiek. Na 4,5 jaar in Bayamo gewoond te hebben, verhuisde Valeriano naar Santiago de Cuba. In deze stad zijn niet alleen zijn ouders geboren, maar is ook de son ontstaan: de stamvader van de salsa. Toen Valeriano in 1990 in Europe ging wonen, stortte hij zich al snel weer op zijn oude liefde: nog geen jaar later danste hij in de groep -Rumba Cubana- onder leiding van de Cubaan Ulizes Cobas, een salsadocent. Zij trokken het hele land door met optredens. De salsa stond toen in Nederland nog in de kinderschoenen. Er werd niet gedraaid. Toch hadden de mensen er heel veel lol in. Toen zij ergens kwamen en de casino dansten, dus figuren maakten en draaiden, keek het publiek er met grote verbazing naar. Net als zijn landgenoten in de jaren vijftig in de Verenigde Staten heeft Valeriano geprobeerd een deel van zijn vaderlandse cultuur mee te verhuizen naar Europa.