A Long Journey

Our Story

Our Mission

Our mission is to break down barriers and celebrate the diverse tapestry of dance that exists between Cuba, United States and the World by bringing together the elegance of Ballroom dancing and the vivacity of Cuban dance forms, we aim to create a unique and enriching dance experience that opens hearts, minds, and dance floors.

Why Cuban-American/International Dance Fusion Matters

The fusion of Cuban and International/American dance styles represents a meeting of two vibrant cultures, each with its own unique history and traditions. By embracing this fusion, we pay homage to the roots of both cultures while also pushing the boundaries of dance innovation. This fusion not only creates breathtaking performances but also fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Organizers

Ana llorente

Ana Llorente, a graduate of the National School of Arts in Havana, Cuba, specializes in contemporary, modern, and Afro-Cuban dance. She earned a scholarship for the Creative Youth Center at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and expanded her expertise in choreography and competitive ballroom dance through studies in the USA and London.

Her achievements include:

  • World Mambo Champion
  • Finalist in World Argentine Tango competitions
  • Theater Arts and Showdance Champion at Blackpool, England, the USA World Championships, The Netherlands, and Canada World Championships
  • USA, World, and Canadian American & Latin Rhythm Champion

As a member of the World Dance Council and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), Ana serves as the CEO and Artistic Director of the Cuba International Ballroom Championships Cultural Exchange and Dance Congress, actively contributing to the global dance community.

In addition to her competitive success, Ana has showcased her talents as the principal dancer in the film “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” and has lent her choreographic skills to numerous MTV videos. With experience as an on-set dance coach and supervisor for acclaimed television productions like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Super Kids,” “Queen Latifah,” and a Tyler Perry production, Ana has become a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Beyond her notable performances and choreography, Ana shares her expertise through teaching, coaching, and delivering lectures across the USA and internationally. Her distinctive approach involves infusing an authentic Latin and Cuban flair into the dance world, employing proprietary techniques for contemporary choreography while emphasizing the importance of body and movement.

emmanuel pierre antoine

Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine, originally from Haiti, a nation known for its economic challenges, transitioned from a successful entrepreneurial background in economics and journalism to embark on a dance career in the United States. He has a notable history as a former Professional Ballroom dancer, excelling both in American Style and International Style Latin.

As a multi-time World Mambo Champion, Emmanuel has consistently secured top positions in major dance competitions across the United States. His achievements have led to the honor of being recognized as an official representative of Haiti in the dancing industry. Currently, he is the proprietor of the Emmanuel Pierre Antoine Dance Studio in NYC.

michael chapman

Michael Chapman initiated his journey in the arts at the age of 12, when his mother brought him and his brothers to a local dance studio to delve into ballroom dancing. This marked the beginning of a lifelong passion that evolved into a competitive dance career, adorned with numerous national, international, and world championship titles. Following his retirement from competitive dancing, he pioneered a series of dance competitions, most notably the Millennium Dancesport Championships, which grew to become the largest event of its kind in North America.

Michael is not only an accomplished choreographer and coach but has also played a pivotal role in developing numerous dancers into national and international champions worldwide. Beyond the dance world, he ventured into producing, contributing to dance programs for the American Sports Network and the livestream platform, FloSports. Later, Michael collaborated with Hal Luftig and Craig Haffner to produce a series of Broadway shows. Some notable productions include “Beetlejuice,” “Children of a Lesser God,” “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” (recipient of multiple critic’s circle awards), “David Byrne’s American Utopia” (earning him a Tony Award for Producing), “Becoming Nancy,” and “Plaza Suite,” starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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Event Information

Location

Varadero – Havana, CUBA

Address

Varadero, CUBA
Havana, CUBA

Call Us
Marie Roberts: (+1)-727-459-5599
Ana Llorente: (+1)-678-471-4571
Dates

April 17th – 22nd, 2024