The first series of workshops of the year, this time we are bringing you severasl new guest teachers as well as several
first time workshops. The quality of instructors is great and we are sure they will bring much to the table in terms of
fun and knowledge.
GUEST TEACHERS
Joaquin Hidalgo
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo was born and raised in Cuba. As a professional artist Joaquin has had a successful music career
in Cuba. Performing in multiple music events and festivals he shared the stage with some of Cuba's most elite musicians
such as Emiliano Salvador, Juan Pablo Torres & Joel Rodriguez Milor.
Finally settling in Canada in 1999 Joaquin quickly became emerged into the circle of music by performing with various
renown artists (Jane Bunnett, Bill King, Njacko Backo, Eddie Bullen) in most of the festivals in the country as well as
internationally (Montreal Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, Toronto 1 television show).
Joaquin is also the leader and director of the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble "Rumba Iyabo" and the traditional Cuban
music group "Cubanos". He has recorded multiple projects with the most recent being Hilario Big Band CD "From the Heart"
featuring Horatio El Negro Hernandes & Paquito de Riveras. As well Joaquin has produced live shows highlighting Canada's
most elite Cuban musicians such as the "Rumberos Afro-Cuban Master Sessions" in Toronto on September 26 & 27th, 2003 and
the "Toronto, Cuba" show at the Distillery Jazz Festival on May 20th, 2004.
Goreti Cardoso & Lucas Amaral
Trained by the best dance professionals in Bahia, Brazil, Goreti and Lucas have been dancing together for over 10 years
and working as Brazilian social dance teachers since 2004. They work with different styles of social dance, such as
Brazilian Bolero, Soltinho, Samba de Gafieira, Forró, Lambada, Cha Cha Cha, Salsa and Merengue.
They teach both individual and group lessons, and are flexible to accommodating their lesson schedules to meet the needs
of their students of all ages.
Vladimir Aranda
Vladimir is one of Toronto's pioneer casino instructors, starting his dance career in 1995. He has studied with Pedro Jaure
from the National School of Arts in Havana, Cuba, Isaias Rojas from Ban-Ra-Ra Cuban Folkloric Company and many others.
As a performer he has danced with Azucar Picante, Caribbean soul and Candela Dance Companies, and has shared the stage with
Latin superstars such as DLG from NY, Jerry Rivera, Matis and Victor Mahuel from Puerto Rico, El Canario from Dominican
Republic, NG La Banda and Charanga Habanera from Cuba.
As a teacher he has instructed for the TLN channel, the Spanish Centre, Teyaba Academy for performing arts, Rafikas school
of the performing arts, Blue Heal dance studio, Studio 27, and Love to Dance Studios, LUMINATO Festival, 6 Degrees Nightclub
and Fregata Nightclub.
