Upcoming Afro-Cuban Master Dance Workshops at Laney College will be taught by the renown Dolores Perez of Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and Ana Perez of Los Munequitos de Matanzas! Dance for a vibrant life!
ALL LEVELS WELCOME. NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Instructor Bios:
Ana Herrera Perez:
Ana Perez Herrera has been the lead vocalist and dancer for Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, since 1980. Los Muñequitos de Matanzas is one of the highest regarded masters of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and dance, especially known for Rumba.
Ana grew up with a rich family culture, a descendent of the Villamil Family, who developed artistically the seat of Afro-Cuban Folklore. She is not only an accomplished rumba dancer, highly sought after for classes and workshops worldwide, but her distinctive voice, has added an essential dimension to the Muñequitos sound, with her ease of singing in a very high range.
Dolores Perez Herrera:
Dolores Perez is one of Cuba’s greatest singers and dancers from the province of Matanzas. She was one of the founding member of Afro Cuba de Matanzas and can be heard on all of their recordings. She is best known for her performances on Caridad
An Omo Ochun and a Madrina to many, Dolores was featured in Afrocuba’s 1987 trip to the Smithsonian Folkway Festival.
Dolores is an ahijada of her aunt Tomasa Villamil, the Matriarch of the Villamil family. Tomasa’s grandparents were two musicians from Oyo, Nigeria, the old imperial Yoruba capital. They were kidnapped and brought over to Cuba in the 1880’s. The family has given Matanzas many of its best musicians, singers, and dancers.
Prior to joining Afrocuba, Dolores sang and danced with Los Portuarios, La Imaliana, and in the Carnival Comparsas in Matanzas. In addition to her overwhelming talents as a singer, Dolores is also a well-respected teacher of dance.
She has lead and participated in Afro-Cuban folkloric workshops world wide; both by invitation and while touring with Afro Cuba de Matanzas.
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