07/03/2024
Announcement
Workshops Saturday with Vladimir Espinosa
Two 1 ½ hour Workshops that are specifically designed to take your dance to the next level.
I: 1:30-3:00pm. Afro-Cuban Dance Class: Rumba Style (Guaguanco)
In this class we will have the opportunity to learn one of the three Afro-Cuban traditional dance styles of the Rumba, which is called the Guaguanco. This Dance and the traditional “Son Montuno” are the origins of what we call in the United States “Salsa” but in Cuba is known as “Timba”.
II. 3:00-4:30pm. Rueda de Casino (Casino wheel)
In this class we will have the opportunity to learn how to dance choreographies in groups and with a partner. You will learn the very popular and traditional dance styles in the salons of the Casinos in Cuba, some of them were “La Tropical” and “Buena Vista Social Club. That’s why it is called “Rueda de Casino (Casino Wheel).
Workshop prices:
$25 Each or both for $40 (Best Deal)
Location: Bull City Ballroom
4015 University Dr. Ste. K, Durham, NC, United States, N.C
About your Instructor.
Vladimir Espinosa is a musician, actor, and choreographer born in Havana, Cuba.
He graduated from the ENA (National Arts School in Cuba) in 1985. He also studied with
the National Folkloric of Cuba with Regino Jimenes and Pelladito: both having taught at
ENA. After he graduated he became a professor and instructor in the school of the arts
and the house of the culture in Havana, Cuba. Then he started a professional career for
different companies as an actor, dancer, and choreographer the companies he worked with
included: Teatro Caribeno (Cuba), Teatro Orile (Cuba), Compania National De Danza
(Ecuador), and Rojo Oscuro (Ecuador). In 1996, Vladimir was the Artistic Director and
Choreographer for the election ceremonies of Miss Ecuador. He has been a teacher,
instructor, and musician accompanist for the American Dance festival (Duram, North
Carolina) since 2005. He propagandized a movie (El Accidente De La Libertad) and a co-
production with Germany and Venezuela. Vladimir was part of many different groups and
bands like Savuka Son, Havana Express, Coral y Esmeralda, Los Gatos, Las Manos Del
Sol, Solazo, Western Mambo, Lenny Marcus Jazz Trio, Jazz Trio Michel and Vladimir,
Latin Clave, and many others. He was an instructor of Latin Percussion, Afro-Cuban
Dance, Music Road Coop, Jstop Latin Soul, Cinemateque, and Musician accompanist in
residence at Hollins University. His specialties include Latin and afro-Cuban music,
contemporary Latin and Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance, and traditional African Diaspora
rhythms. Since 2001 he has been performing with bands like El Coco, JStop Latin Jazz
and Music Road Co. and the Reunion with his group Solazo. Vladimir has always been
an active participant of music events in the community like Local Colors, the Latino
Festival in Roanoke, Floyd Fest and Stepping Out in Blacksburg Virginia. He has thought
salsa classes with Focused Radio and at Roanoke Ballet theater teaching Afro Cuban
Rumba, Salsa and Latin styles.
Education:
The National School of Instructors of the Arts – ENIA, Havana, Cuba 1985
Instructor of the Arts, Music & Theater
Teaching Experience:
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA.
Adjunct Instructor of Afro-Cuban Dance, 2003-Current
Adjunct Instructor of Latin Percussion, 2003-Current
House of the Arts, Plaza Havana City, Cuba.
1987-1989
Professor of Theater, Dance & Music
School of the Arts, Santa Clara, Cuba.
1986-1987
Professor of Theater, Dance & Music
School of the Arts of Instructors, Jiguany, Granma, Cuba.
1985-1986
Full Time Professor
Dance Afro-Cuban, Theater, Music
Visiting Guest Artist Residencies:
Radford University, Radford, VA.
Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA.
James Madison University,
Roanoke College, Roanoke, VA.
Duke University, Durham, NC.
Lower Schools:
Instructor of arts in middle school and high school in both Roanoke Virginia and North Carolina, 2001-2006
Instructor of arts in Havana Cuba dance and music in both middle school and high school, 1989-1994
Instructor of dance and music for the Mister of Education and Culture in quito
Ecuador, 1995-1996
Professional Arts Experience:
Vladimir Started is career with his first company called Orile, 1991-1993, following that he stated to work with Theater Irrumpe, 1993
Vladimir began working with The Theater Caribbeno in collaboration with the National Folkloric of Cuba, 1994
He worked with choreographers and musicians with the Company of the National Folkloric of Havana Cuba then later became the instructor for the International Festival of Dance and Theater, 1995
He was later invited to go to Ecuador and be an instructor for the National Company and Dance, where Vladimir taught the afro-cuban folklore for dancers and musicians, 1996
Vladimir worked with a company Rojo Oscuro where he was the artistic director, 1996
He was the artistic director and choreographer for the election of Miss Ecuador, 1996
Vladimir later became the lead in a coproduction movie between Germany, Venezuela, and Ecuador called El Accidente De La Libertad, which he received various awards, 1997
Vladimir worked with various bands including; Savuka Son, 1996
Havana Express, 1996-1999 Koral Y Emeralda, 1997-1998 Plueblo nuevo, 1996-1998
In 1999 Vladimir started going on tours to the United States with Havana Express In the United States he stated working with new bands including;
Solazo, 2000-2002
los gatos, 2003-2005
Lenny Marcus Jazz Trio, 2004- to present Western Mambo, 2011-2012
Las Manos Del Sol Percussion Group, 2004 Acoustic Latin Jazz Project, 2006-to present Solazo (reunion) 2008-to Present
Latin Clave, 2014
JStop and the Latin Soul 2018 - to present Music Road Co. 2018- Present
Percussionist for the Following Bands:
Acoustic Latin Jazz Project , 2006-Present Latin Clave Band, 2014-Present
Lenny Marcus Band Trio Jazz -2004- Present JStop Latin Soul-2017
Cinemateque-2019 MRCO-2018 Solazo-2000
Los Gatos-2006
