Lizt Alfonso Dance Studio, Cuba
One of the Airbnb Experiences in the wonderful country of Cuba is seeing a Dance recital by Lizt's team. The experience cost me about 3,000 INR and is available in English and Spanish. This institution started about 28 years ago with the passion of Lizt Alfonso for dance and with her husband Juan's support they started an academy for children. Around 16 years ago the government appreciated their work and what they had been doing for the community there and they received a 4 Story space to rehearse along with collaboration and recognition from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Academy today holds about 1300 students who learn Cuban guaguanco, Spanish dances, and Ballet. List loves experimenting and tries calling dancers from across the globe to teach the kids. These professionals have been learning with her since they were 6-7 years old. The team now performs all across the globe especially in Peru, Argentina, Spain, New York and more. If I remember correctly they are the only Cuban dance troupe to have performed on Broadway. It was a creative decision to have a girls-only dance academy but they now accept boys too.
Cuba is one of the few places to have a beautiful blend of African, Spanish and Carribean culture. The academy genuinely tries to bring them together through dance and music. Lizt's passion is so refined that she even makes her own music. The academy has a mixing studio to create and blend the music.
In a country otherwise starved for resources, the studio holds a special place to make costumes for performances. From fabrics to different shoes for each dance style are curated from scratch here. Juan's mom helps oversee this department. Each performance has at least 5 changes.
Professional dancers who perform help kids during their time off as teachers. Similarly, dancers who are retired now oversee the admin and stage management for the team. They also handle PR and sponsorships for the troupe. They ensure there is a doctor on-site at all times and that students are trained in a way they can join a dance institution anywhere they go. They also get Airbnb sponsorships for their travel and stay.
Juan told me a splendid saying "Everyone has the beauty to teach their teachers."
Lizt personally oversees the finetuning for major performances. Below is the video of her grooming the dancers for the upcoming Carnival.
Below are the choreography students performed for the King ad Queen of Spain recently.
That's me with Lizt herself!
The Academy accepts donations and is very well structured to use it too.
You can see more of them on: https://www.liztalfonso.com/
Instagram: @Liztalfonsodancecuba
#Cuba #Culture #Art #Community #HDS #harvarddivinityschool #harvardschoolofartandculture #Southamerica #Dance #Guaguanco #unique #Broadway #Performance #recital #Liztalfonso #Lizt #havana #chachacha #Spain #Rumba