About The Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop Series

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We are so excited to continue Masacote’s Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop Series. Afro-Cuban dance specialists will host different workshops throughout the year where you will have the opportunity to do more than just learn salsa. You will explore the various forms of the Afro-Cuban dance tradition through different movements representing the Orishas (deities from the African traditions brought to Cuba). Making this connection will allow you to embrace salsa through a cultural context in community with other salsa dancers.

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Yoandry San Juan possesses a wealth of knowledge in Cuban dance styles! He loves creating choreography, participating in collaborative dance and music projects, and helping others learn his favorite dance styles.

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Although he has received training from many different teachers, he credits his family with instilling a love of dance in him at an early age. He learned his first steps of Casino from his mom and his uncle, who would teach him during their family New Year’s parties. Not only were they happy to teach an eager Yoandry some of the steps, but they were also some of the best dancers in his home municipality of Guanabacoa in Havana.

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In later years, he studied with Narciso Medina (contemporary dance), Teatro America (Musical shows), and OrichaOco (folklore), and he worked at La Casa de Son, Latinsalseando, Via Danza, and Proyecto Rueda de Casino.  

When he started participating in cultural exchanges with MetaMovements, he learned new styles of dance and new teaching methods, and he began to develop a greater understanding of the dance world outside of Cuba.

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Throughout his artistic journey Yoandry has been grateful to expand into a wide variety of dance styles, and to not only soar to new heights as a dancer, but also develop into a choreographer, producer, artistic director, assistant director, and stage manager.

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Some of the highlights of his dance career in Cuba included performances at top hotels and cabarets in Varadero and Havana, as well as international festivals like Baile en Cuba, RitmoCuba, and Fiesta del Tambor.

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Since moving to Toronto, Canada in 2021, Yoandry has been building his company, Lemuria Fusion Dance Company, and has also participated in festivals such as the Summer Festival in Blue Mountain Toronto, Salsa on St. Clair, and the internationally renowned SBK Festival under the direction of Maya & Gary.

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So, why should you take this workshop?

   -A better understanding of the origins of Cuban dance

   -Conditioning, flexibility, body isolation, and technique

   -Find and develop your own flavor and styling to incorporate into your salsa dancing

   -A greater connection and appreciation for the rhythms and movements

   -More than dance, you will learn the stories and belief systems behind each movement

   -BRING SOME FUN INTO YOUR SALSA!

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When: Saturday, September 23rd 2023,  12pm – 3pm

Where: Cambridge Athletic Club, 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA. 02142

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Pricing:

Price: $50 ( Early registration - All 3 hours )

         

                  $25 ( Single hour Workshop )

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COVID-19 Guidelines:

Please note that all safety guidelines must be followed throughout the duration of the class.  Please see HERE for the CAC's protocols.