ABOUT THE ARTISTS

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Agua Doce Dance

Stephanie Emmanuela Da Silva (Artistic Director / choreographer) is a devoted dance artist who pursued an MFA in dance and choreography after becoming captivated with Afro-Brazilian dance at the source. She immersed herself in the dance culture of Salvador from 2007-2012, living there as a student, a professional dancer, a teacher and a designer. She has been a student of and has danced for Rosangela Silvestre, Vera Passos and Paco Gomes since the early 2000’s, and became a certified Silvestre Technique Instructor in 2010. She danced professionally in Bahia with Anderson Rodrigo of Attomos Dance, Norma Santana of the Norma Santana CIA de Dança, Nem Brito of Diaspora Dance Company. She trained with the world renowned Bale Folklorico da Bahia and graduated from the Escola de Dança in Salvador. Stephanie performed as a soloist portraying Oya Iansã and Yemanja for O Kontra, an Afro-Brazilian Jazz Performing Group under the direction of Nei Sacramento, amongst other choreographers. 

 

 

Alayo Dance Company

Ramón Ramos Alayo (Artistic Director / choreographer) was a principal dancer with several prominent Cuban dance companies, including Danza del Caribe and Narcisco Medina Contemporary Dance Company, touring throughout Europe, Belize, and Canada. Since relocating to the U.S. in 1997 he has performed with Robert Henry Johnson, Kim Epifano, Sara Shelton Mann, Zaccho Dance Theatre and Robert Moses’ Kin. He founded Alayo Dance Company in 2002 and CubaCaribe in 2003. His work is an innovative fusion of Afro-Cuban modern, folkloric and popular Cuban Dance, having choreographed and produced twelve full length dance performances. He has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, received the prestigious Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation Emerging Choreographer’s Award, was recognized as “Best Dance Dynamo” by the SF Bay Guardian, was the recipient of a SF Bay Guardian Goldie Award, and has been hailed by dance critic Rita Felciano as “the best Afro-Cuban dancer whose choreography stands well beyond traditional modes.” His piece Goodbye was named one of the best premieres in 2016 in Dance Europe Magazine.

 

 

Cunamacué

Cunamacué is a performing arts company founded in 2010 in Oakland by Carmen Román with the purpose of bringing visibility to the presence and cultural knowledge of the African descendant population in Peru. Cunamacué brings awareness of Peru’s African descendants by sharing their deep cultural history through music and dance. Cunamacué promotes the continuity of Afro-Peruvian culture, representing it as a living, vibrant and evolving form whose music and dance can be used as a means of contemporary expression. 

 

 

Folklo Ayisyen Lakay

F.A.L Haitian dance, songs and music company is a performance company and non-profit arts organization incorporated in the state of California. Our mission is to foster and promote Haitian heritage and representations of diversity through music, dance and art. Director Laurie Fleurentin was born in Port-au-Prince and received her education at the Ecole Nacionale des Arts. She was a principal dancer in Viviane Gauthier Dance Company and came to the United States 12 years ago to teach dance. She dedicates her time to choreographing and teaching at San Francisco State University, Destiny Arts Center, The Beat, Dimensions Dance Rites of Passage, and at many public schools throughout the Bay Area.

 

 

Herencia Guantanamera

Yoel Mulen Robert (Artistic Director)

Herencia Guantanamera's mission is to preserve, celebrate, and share the rich cultural heritage of Guantánamo, Cuba. Through our diverse range of events, educational programs, and artistic endeavors, we aim to honor the traditions, music, dance, and history of the region, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of Guantanamera culture for present and future generations.

 

 

Los Lupeños de San José

Samuel Cortez Balderas (Artistic Director)

Established in 1969, Los Lupeños de San José stands out as one of the pioneering Mexican folk dance companies in the United States. Our company is passionately dedicated to promoting Mexican culture and traditions through the beautiful art of dance. 

 

 

Rueda Con Ritmo

Founded in San Francisco in 2007 by Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead, Rueda Con Ritmo is a community of dancers offering classes, events, and performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond. We strive to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes dancers of all levels, from all backgrounds, and of all ages. In 2023, RCR performed as the opening act before separate concerts by Los Van Van and Havana D' Primera in SF, and in Cuba with the Conjunto Folclórico Nacional, Compañía All Stars, and the Fundadores de la Rueda de Casino.

 

 

Yamulee Project San Francisco

Yamulee Project San Francisco started in 2018 with a group of friends that wanted to learn more about NY style salsa. It has since grown to a team of approximately 30 dedicated dancers that love to work and train and grow. The growth that we have seen in the team is truly inspiring.

 

Joshua & Natali (YPSF Directors): Joshua Barbosa & Natali Colom were born and raised in Puerto Rico where they fell in love with Salsa On 2. They started training in this style in Puerto Rico in 2011 and then moved to San Francisco where they trained and performed with Salsamania Dance Company for several years. Natali also trained with Karel Flores San Francisco for many years where she discovered her love for New York Style Salsa On 2. Natali & Joshua began to expand their knowledge in this style which led to creating and directing their own team, Yamulee Project San Francisco, in 2018. The team has grown a lot since and has presented in multiple events and festivals. Natali and Joshua also love to train in Afro Cuban dance and are a part of Arenas Dance Company.

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Fredrika Keefer & Marco Palomino 

Fredrika Keefer was born and raised in The Mission District of San Francisco, CA. She is a Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, and Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performer and instructor. She is currently the Grrrl Brigade Director and Studio Manager at Dance Mission Theater. She is currently pursuing her master’s in dance At University of Arts in Philadelphia. 

 

She has been an ongoing member of the Dance Brigade and Alayo Dance Company. Fredrika started her dance training at age 5 at the Pacific Ballet Theatre. When she was 14 years old, she started her hip-hop dance training with the well-renowned choreographer and Mind Over Matter’s director, Allan Frias. She proceeded to dance for his company for 6 years. Her Taiko Drumming Training began when she was 11 years old with Bruce 'Mui" Ghent and began teaching when she was 17 years old.  In 2009 she graduated from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School. Since then, she has worked with choreographers such as Kim Epifano, Anne Bluethenthal, Christy Funch, Krissy Keefer, and Ramon Ramos Alayo. Fredrika’s broad experiences have brought her to travel to teach and perform nationally and internationally (Ukiah, Oregon, New York, Mexico, Cuba, Lebanon, Africa, Egypt, and St. Maarteen). She also premiered in TV, “Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist” as a core dancer on NBC in 2019. From 2009 to 2017 Fredrika traveled back and forth to Cuba to train and set work on Danza Caribe, the national dance company of Santiago, Cuba. From 2011 to 2016 she was a resident artist at Performing Arts Workshop where she taught dance and critical thinking to ages 3-6 years old. Fredrika continues to teach dance and critical thinking workshops both nationally and internationally. 

 

Marco Palomino is a choreographer, dancer, and director based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally born in Cuba, he graduated from Escuela Nacional de Arte with a BFA from La Universidad de las Artes in Havana. Recently nominated for the Princess Grace Award in Choreography. Marco has worked with Jacob Jonas The Company, Ballet Revolución, Rosario Cárdenas, Carlos Acosta’s Acostadanza in collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet, with revered choreographers such as Juliano Nuñes, Jacob Jonas, Pontus Lidberg, Micaela Taylor, Javier de Frutos, Norge Cedeño, Jorge Cresis, Osnel Delgado, Mike Tyus, Alexis Fernández (Maca), Goyo Montero, Rosanna Gamson and Carlos Acosta.

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