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| The Dance School |
In 2005, Toronto's salsa scene was strongly dominated by the north american styles, the New York and the
L.A. styles of salsa dancing. Albena de Assis had been at the time involved in the scene for quite a few
years and had just left United Salseros, one of the bigger salsa schools in the city at that time, as
one of their senior instructors teaching exclusively those styles of salsa. But her appetite for
a different style, different roots, had just been awakened. Her studies of Afro-Cuban and Cuban Cabaret,
travels to Cuba the previous year, together with her previous experience in ballet
and the Cuban school of modern dance, served as catalyst for a new vision: to create and promote a Cuban
salsa scene in Toronto, increasing awareness of the cultural roots of Cuban dance.
Establishing AfroLatino Dance Company that same year, with the indispensable collaboration from Cuban teacher,
choreographer and dancer Sarita Leyva, this new vision was realized. The dance company was both
engaged in the production of high quality Cuban Cabaret shows, as well as the difficult task of creating a new dance
school in town.
Thus in 2005, Albena established Toronto’s first large scale dance school entirely dedicated to the
teaching and promotion of Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Afro-Cuban and other Latin dances in their authentic
forms. Since then the school has been growing steadily and has become the city’s centre to learning Cuban
style salsa, Casino Rueda, and other Latin dances.
During this time, the school has also been very active in promoting cultural events in the city often,
collaborating with Okokan Productions,
Toronto's foremost promoters of Cuban music shows. We have organized several dance workshops with renowed
masters from Cuba such as:
- Adrian Limonta from Ballet Folklórico Cutumba, Santiago de Cuba
- Félix "Pupy" Insua
- Yoruba Andabo, Havana, Cuba
- Compañía Folklórica Ban-Ra-Rá, Havana, Cuba
- Daisy Villalejo, from Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba
- Ana Machado, formerly from Tropicana, Havana, Cuba
- Consuelo Herrera, formerly from Raízes Profundas, Havana, Cuba
Albena's interest is not restricted to Cuban music and dance. Having being raised in Angola, she has a strong affinity
towards the Brazilian culture, more specifically Samba, their most well-known dance form. This interest grew stronger when
she started participating in shows and collaborating with some of the strongest Brazilian dance groups in the city,
such as Escola de Samba de Toronto, Brazil Nativa, and Samba Explosion. Adding Brazilian Samba to the
repertoire of the company and the curriculum of the school was just a natural next step. Since then, her Brazilian Samba class
has been growing ever more popular.
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| Our Services |
We provide a wide variety of services to entertain you or your company, ranging from standard to customized dance classes
and workshops, private and group lessons, and professional Latin Dance entertainment.
Contact us for more
information and bookings.
| Group and Private Classes |
- Group classes in Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Latin Cardio, Afro-Cuban, Ladies Styling, Rumba Styling, Rueda de Casino, Bachata, Kizomba
- Custom private and semi-private lessons in any of the above styles of dance
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| Specialty Classes and Workshops |
- Other Cuban rhythms: Rumba, Son, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Reggaeton
- Afro-Cuban: Orishas, Congo dances, Arará
- Dominican rhythms: Merengue, Bachata
- Salsa suelta
- Cabaret ladies styling
- Stretching and strengthening
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| Latin Dance Entertainment |
- Cuban Cabaret shows (Tropicana style)
- Brazilian carnival shows
- Couples or group performances for corporate events, weddings, trade shows, festivals, and more
- Custom lessons for private parties
For more about our entertainment services please check our shows website.
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| Senior Instructors |
| Albena de Assis |
Albena grew up in Luanda, Angola where, as a child, she started studying ballet and modern dance at the
National School of Dance. She later moved to Portugal to study Computer Engineering but continued her
dance training in ballet with Fernando Lima. After moving to Toronto she started salsa dancing in 2001,
studied with some of the best salsa and afro-cuban instructors in Toronto and taught as senior instructor
for United Salseros for two years. Some of her most influencial teachers are Sarita Leyva (afro-cuban,
cabaret), Ana Machado (afro-cuban), Teddy Olaso (north american style salsa), Yacelis Sanchez
(afro-cuban, cuban folklore), Félix Pupy Insua (afro-cuban), Fernando Lima and Stelio Calagias (ballet).
During that time, Albena was part of Grupo Sabroso as well, performing at various venues
throughout Toronto and at Salsa Congresses in Ottawa, Detroit, and Toronto. She has also
performed with Yoruba Havana, an afro-cuban dance ensemble, and OnBeat Dance Company.
In 2004 she co-founded Latin Dance Theatre, with which she has performed at many festivals
and venues throughout Toronto, expanding her repertoire to Latin Cabaret. 2005 saw her starting
a new venture by forming AfroLatino Dance Company. She has also performed with Samba
Explosion, Escola de Samba de Toronto, and Brazil Nativa, in a variety of Brazilian Samba shows.
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| Teisha Smith |
Teisha began dancing at the age of four training in Ballet and Jazz at Louise Woodvine Dance Academy in Barbados.
In 2001 she taught ballet and jazz to young students for a year at the Louise Woodvine Dance Academy as well as working
at a Plantation Restaurant performing in a Cabaret Production called "Bajan Roots and Rhythms".
In 2002, Teisha was accepted to Ryerson University where she has recently completed her BFA Degree in Theatre Performance
major in dance. She has had the opportunity to perform in Ryerson Dances 2004 and 2005, produced by Nadia Potts, as well as
showcasing her own works in Choreographic Works 2004 and 2005, produced by Vicki St Denys.
She danced Dance Kraze Productions as one of the HoneyKatz, a dance company directed by Katarina Rajkovic where she had the opportunity
to perform in Dance Ontario 2005 and 2006, BMPTV and FfIDA 2005 and 2006. She is also a main dancer with COBA, beside
being a principal dancer with AfroLatino Dance Company.
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| Yareneys Montes de Oca |
Yareneys was born in Cuba, where she started her dance career at the age of 10, at the School of Arts Olga Alonso, in Santa Clara, Cuba.
There she completed 5 years of intensive training in classical ballet, contemporary dance, folklore, choreographic composition and others.
She was then accepted in the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba, where she graduated.
Yareneys danced with the Ballet de la Television Cubana, where she gained experience in variety shows and Cuban cabaret. Later she
worked as well for the Sol Melia hotel chain, where she gained experience in popular dances such as Salsa, Merengue, Samba, Cha Cha Cha,
and others. She worked in Portugal for 4 years as a ballet and ballroom dance teacher.
She currently resides in Toronto and is a dancer with AfroLatino Dance Company.
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| Cesar Salazar |
Born in Santiago de Cuba, Cesar began his career as a dancer in his late teens, driven by a passion for Cuba’s street dances.
His ambition and love for dance quickly helped him advance to the top of Santiago’s dance scene, training with companies such
as Así Es Cuba, led by Maestro Rarmian. He then began performing in shows for Cuba’s famous Tropicana Cabaret,
as well as high-profile hotels such as Melia Santiago, Hotel San Juan and Sierra Mar. In 2007 Cesar auditioned for the Viva
Cuba Dance Company and gained a spot as principal dancer, but his plans for the future changed when the opportunity to move to
Toronto came along, a year later.
A talented dancer with experience in salsa, rumba, samba, son, merengue, bachata, kizomba and afro-cuban, Cesar found Toronto
to be a diverse dance community, where he embraced the opportunity to further perfect and develop his dance style. He became
an instructor for the AfroLatino Dance Company, where he began teaching various dance classes, choreographing student dance
performances and participating in company dance shows. Always looking to expand his genre, Cesar became an instructor for
the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in 2010, where he trained in ballroom and Latin ballroom dance, while completing his Bronze
level instructor diploma. In 2011 Cesar auditioned for and participated in So You Think You Can Dance Canada, where he made
the Top 40 finals.
He is currently teaching for and performing with AfroLatino Dance Company.
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| Yunier Zunzunegui |
Born and raised in Camaguey, Cuba Yunier always had a love for music and dance. At the age of 14 he decided
to start training with the goal of pursuing a career in dance. After completing 4 years of extensive dance
instruction at Nicolas Guillen Batista in Camaguey Cuba, plus a stint at the renowned Ballet Folklorico de
Camaguey, Yunier was presented with the opportunity to begin his career as a professional dancer. Front and
center at Caribe de Camaguey Yunier performed in nightly cabaret show's for the elitistist of Cuba.
With his natural choreographic ability, it wasn't long before he was offered a position at the Caracol Resort
and Hotel in Santa Lucia. Known for his skill and finese, partnered with his easy going manner, he quickly
became a favourite amongst tourists. From there Yunier moved to the city of Matanzas and began performing in
various hotels throughout Varadero. Shortly before leaving Cuba, Yunier was presented with the highest
achievement award for his outstanding performance in the Varadero Carnival.
In November 2011 Yunier moved to Toronto and began performing with the AfroLatino Dance Company of Canada.
As an experienced dancer in Rumba, Son, Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Bachata and Afro-Cuban he embraced the opportunity
to begin teaching. With his patient teaching style and charismatic personality, his classes are enjoyed by many.
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| Kristin Cuthbert |
Kristin has been a part of Afrolatino Dance Company since 2008. As a student at Afrolatino, Kristin was trained in Cuban
and Brazilian dance under the instruction of the company founder and her mentor, Albena de Assis. Over the years, she has
participated in various workshops run by renowned Cuban dance instructors such as, Duane Wrenn, Isaias Rojas and the late
Felix "Pupy Insua both in Toronto, Canada as well in Havana, Cuba. Kristin’s love of Latin American and Caribbean music "
and dance have been largely influenced by her own Caribbean background and upbringing.
Kristin’s other passion is working with children. For years, she has worked with children of varying ages and in various
educational settings including child care, tutoring and as a school teacher. Currently, Kristin works as a Pre-K teacher
at a private school in central Toronto. She loves what she does and it shows through her patient, caring and friendly
attitude towards her students and through her sense of humor. Kristin is dedicated to providing fun and creative dance
classes to suit the needs and interests of her young students as they begin to explore new forms of dance, movement and
self expression.
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| Assistant Instructors |
Kristin Cuthbert
Arlayna C.
Karen Bender
Amidou Sankara
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| Teacher's Training Program |
Our own in-house program for dance teachers/instructors is designed to train dedicated and talented
students and turn them into future assistants and instructors. The program focuses not only on
technical aspects of each of the dances currently in our curriculum, but also pedagogical methodology.
Teaching dance is a very rewarding activity. In addition to the satisfaction one gets by seeing how
one's actions and instruction help students, teaching also brings a much deeper understanding of and
proficiency in the various dances, movement, culture, etc.
What we look for in a potential candidate:
- Quality of dancing
- People's interaction skills
- Level of dedication
- Focus and drive
Program Levels:
- Volunteer
- Assistant
- Apprentice (Cuban and Brazilian branches)
- Junior Instructor (Cuban and Brazilian branches)
- Instructor (Cuban and Brazilian branches)
| Subjects covered: |
| Cuban: |
Brazilian: |
- Casino (Cuban Salsa)
- Rueda de Casino
- Afro-Cuban (Orishas and Congo)
- Cuban Rumba
- Mambo
- Cha Cha Cha
- Son
- Conga
- Basic Samba
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- Samba no Pé
- Samba de Gafieira
- Cuban Salsa
- Basic Afro-Cuban
- Basic Cuban Rumba
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THIS PROGRAM IS STRICKLY BY INVITATION ONLY
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| Testimonials |
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If you wish to send us a feedback you can do so by filling out the following form. It will be very much appreciated!
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Here is some of the feedback some of our students have given about us and about our classes, workshops,
parties, students trips, etc.
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| Classes and Workshops |
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| Marian W. |
(Sep 2012) |
| "I just took your Zumba class for the first time with my sister Christine yesterday and I must say it was an awesome class! I have taken a few different Zumba classes in the past but by far none have compared to yours, I felt every muscle working in my body, my sister and I enjoyed it very much:)
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| Rick Ainsworth |
(Dec 2010) |
| "In March 2010 I visited Toronto to attend a conference and needed a quick salsa lesson so I could attend a Cuban- themed banquet on my return to Los Angeles. Luckily I found you. Thank you for your understanding in allowing me to take one lesson. You personally took time out of instructing your class to show me the steps. That was indeed a pleasure. Rarely do such talent, beauty and graciousness occur in one person." |
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| Yvetta Belenski |
(Sep 2010) |
| "First of all I want to say that I don’t have words to express how good I feel about coming to your dance studio. You are very professional and your personality is so friendly and pleasant that you have created an excellent atmosphere for learning and having fun at the same time. Your instructors and other long time students are no exception to that... I am looking forward to a long time of practice at AfroLatino dance studio." |
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| Ayo George |
(Sep 2010) |
| "I have truly enjoyed classes with you...I have been wanting to try cuban for a wihile after dabbling with other styles and i have to admit i thoroughly enjoy this style....Really keep up the good work!" |
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| Khira Ray |
(May 2010) |
| "Albena, thank you so much for a wonderful lesson. The girls who couldn't make it are kicking themselves for missing all the fun. We are already planning to come back. I just wanted you to know your easy-going, fun spirit and patience is so warming. You by the way have an amazing figure and we're looking forward to learning a lot more from you. See you soon!" |
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| Keisha Grant |
(Mar 2009) |
| "Albena, thank you so much for coming to Energetic Soul [in Detroit]. Your technique is amazing and your spirit is so sweet. We can hardly wait for the next time we can steal you away from Toronto again! Be blessed.." |
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| Rhonda C. |
(Dec 2008) |
| "Thank you for your passionate and energetic instruction and for introducing me to this amazing dance (Samba) - I love it!" |
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| Melanie Larose |
(Dec 2008) |
| "Thank you for your patience and for sharing your passion for dance!" |
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| Robert Glanc |
(Aug 2008) |
| "Thank you very much for teaching me Sententa Complicado, Noventa, El Dos, Montana, etc as well as letting me do your group class.
I got a lot of benefit, and the good news is I can reproduce all those moves in Australia." |
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| Belen Heredia |
(May 2008) |
| "I just wanted to let you know that I have tremendously enjoyed the Samba classes, it's been a wake-up call of how much out of shape I feel (lol) but I love this music and with summer coming soon (hopefully) I would love to add a little twist and take Brazilian Samba again and alsoAfro-Cuban Movement. I've watched your Friday classes and fell in love with it." |
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| Janet MacDonald |
(Dec 2007) |
| "I love the Latin Cardio and Brazillian Samba classes. You are an excellent instructor. Everyone I have spoken with feels the same way!
All the best to you and I will see you in the new year for sure!!" |
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| Performance Classes and Parties |
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| Allanah De Leon |
(Jul 2010) |
| "Thanks Albena for putting together the samba performance group. I had a blast! I enjoyed the preparation and the hard work put into rehearsals each week, the choreography, the costumes and most importantly my wonderful fellow dancers. We all had so much fun at practice each week and worked together to make sure we danced and looked our best! It was a great experience." |
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| Masoud Ghaffari |
(Jun 2008) |
| "Thank you very much for all you taught us in group performance. It was a great pleasure for me to be a part of this group and I truly enjoyed every moment of that." |
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| Sharon Grandison |
(Jun 2008) |
| "The (3rd Anniversary) party was great and I loved the performances...I know that a lot of hard work must have gone into them." |
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| Sally Ibrahim |
(Jun 2008) |
| "The party was really great. Thank you soo much for organizing the performance group. It was honestly the best dancing experience I have ever had. Also, I really have to thank you for encouraging us during the performance itself. I messed up a lot of times, and while I almost had a mini heart attack each time, you were in the front smiling the entire time. That was very nice of you. THANK YOU!" |
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| Alix Reboul-Salze |
(Jun 2008) |
| "Thanks a lot and congratulations for last night, it was a great party, and the show was really good too!
if you want to do a salsa performance class again, I would be very interested in participating in it, so let me know!!" |
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| Student Trips |
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| Aida Ibrahim |
(Feb 2008) |
| "Albena, thank you very much for an amazing trip. It was well planned and organized but then again I would never expect anything less from you! The dance workshop was amazing with great instructors and Cuban partners (professional dancers) for each of us. My favourite memory from the trip/workshop is the time we spent in the Rumba semi-circle, there were some very funny moments. Overall, I had a wonderful time and I cannot wait until next year." |
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