The Seattle Cuban Dance Fest is the first and only festival dedicated to showcasing Cuban traditional dances. This year's line-up includes some of the finest Cuban dance instructors on the West Coast.
Join us for three days of high intense workshops with the instructors and live percussionists, performances, live Cuban bands, and social parties.
Presented by
My professional training at the ENAEM allowed me to become a professional dancer and choreographer with extensive knowledge of traditional Cuban and international dances, including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian, ballet, and contemporary dance such as Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Pilon, Mozambique, Rumba, Salsa, Son, Guaguanco, Columbia, Yambú, Spanish dance, and Tango. Due to my dedication and the quality of my work, I was personally selected by one of the most prestigious dance and musical companies of Cuba, “Santiago Alfonso”, whose principal was the director of the world-renowned Tropicana Dance and Music Show in Havana. During my three-year tenure with Santiago Alfonso, I earned the opportunity to perform roles as a soloist and in group ballets at various national performances. Before moving to Canada in 2011, I worked as a professional dancer with DanzaCUBA, where I was able to grow even further as a soloist and develop my skills as a choreographer and teacher.
Kati brings to the USA her humble, yet explosive and uplifting energy. Kati's knowledge of dance and choreography reveals her intricate and versatile style, making her a highly sought-after performer, nationally and internationally. A native of Cuba, Kati grew up surrounded by the sounds of the drum and the Afro-Cuban tradition. Her dance studies included folkloric, popular, modern, ballet, choreography, composition, and staging. Her earlier performances include the Havana International Jazz Festival with Cuban stars such as Bobby Carcases and Chucho Valdez and the Bienal Internacional de la Habana with Afro-Cuban music and performance icon Mercedita Valdez and visual artist Manuel Mendive.
Anaya Latin Dance is a duo dance company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Ciro Anaya is from Santiago de Cuba, the birthplace of Cuban son. Before moving to Alaska, he danced in the internationally-recognized professional dance company directed by Yanek Revilla, Sabor DKY, performing Cuban popular dances and teaching groups of students from all around the world. His partner Liz Anaya is from Alaska and holds a master's degree in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage, focusing on Cuban dance during her studies. In 2016, she served as a judge at Salsanor’s annual “Rueda Congress” in Norway.
Yula Vostretsova is a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer, as well as a graduate of the National School of Musical Arts in La Havana-Cuba. Her training includes ballet, Afro-Cuban folklore, music, dance technique, mambo, flamenco, cha-cha-chá, and all aspects of Cuban culture.
She has performed with various dance companies in renowned hotels across Havana and Varadero, showcasing her versatility and deep-rooted connection to Cuban rhythms. With years of experience on stage and in the studio, Yula has become a passionate educator, sharing her knowledge and expertise with students of all levels.
Now based in Canada, she teaches in multiple locations across Vancouver and Edmonton, spreading the richness of Cuban dance and culture through classes, workshops, and performances. Her mission is to inspire others through movement, helping dancers connect with the energy, history, and soul of Cuban dance.
Originally from Havana, Toqui currently lives and teaches Cuban dances in Boulder, Colorado. He launched his dance instruction business, Toqui Dance, shortly after arriving from Cuba in 2021. Toqui was exposed to dance early in his life. The streets were his original dance school until he started working at the famous Casona del Son, one of Havana's top salsa and Cuban dance schools. There, surrounded by some of Havana’s best dancers and following the teaching methodology of the school’s director, Silvia Canals, he learned his trade. He taught at the school for nearly 10 years before moving to the Boulder area. As a lead instructor, Toqui received training from Master instructors in the Havana area and studied in programs offered by the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. Toqui’s experience includes participation as a lead instructor in Ritmo Cuba, Havana’s top Salsa festival, and teaching salsa courses for United Nations personnel in Port of Prince, Haiti. He has also offered a number of workshops in Colorado and New Mexico and has participated as an instructor in the Denver Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, and Kizomba Congress. and participated in the bailanydancefest
Reinier and Daniela are the directors of La Clave Cubana Entertainment, Seattle Cuban Dance Fest, and Passport 2 Cuba Travel Company. Reinier first started dancing to the Afro-Cuban rhythms at the young age of 13. Reinier was immediately discovered by a professional Afro Cuban dance team which recruited his talent and showcased him all over Cuba. At the age of 18, he graduated from Casa de La Cultura Arroyo Naranjo Cuba as a dance instructor specializing in Popular Dances, such as Cuban Salsa, Son, Cha cha cha, Mambo, and Rumba. Daniela's love for music and dancing started at a young age leading her to be one of the principal dancers at the music festivals in her school. Daniela’s salsa background started in 2009. LA style was her first learned style but in 2011, Cuban Casino stole her heart. They now live in Seattle where they continue to share their passion for Popular Dance and Afro-Cuban rhythms through dance classes, workshops, and performances at his studio, La Clave Cubana.
“I just wanted to stop in and say how much fun I had at the Seattle Cuban Dance Fest! Thanks for putting together such a great weekend!”
Event Schedule
Meany Hall at University of Washington
4040 George Washington Lane NE
Seattle, WA 98105
