Instructors: Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum - Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif., USA

Instructors

DANCE | SONG | DRUM | ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS

Dance instructor

Reynaldo Gonzalez in hat and suit

Reynaldo Gonzalez Fernandez was born in Matanzas, Cuba, and has been dancing, singing and playing percussion since early childhood. After graduating from the Escuela para Instructores de Arte in 1984, he became one of the principal dancers and choreographers for the prominent Cuban group Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and toured with the group to the U.S. in 1996. He has taught Afro-Cuban dance, percussion and song ever since his arrival to the U.S. He has a vast knowledge of ritual dances, chants and rhythms of Yoruba, Bantu, Abakua, Palo and Yessa.

photo of Susana Arenas Pedroso wearing face paint

Susana Arenas Pedroso began her artistry in dance at age 12 when she took the opportunity to study at the Casa de la Cultura in Matanzas, Cuba. Upon completion of studies in Matanzas, Arenas moved to Havana and joined popular, folkloric, and theater dance troupes, including Tierra Virgen, Alafia Ire, Oche Olorum, Oriki. In addition, she was a soloist for Compania Folklorica Raices Profundas, and has performed and taught in the U.S. and Europe.

Freila Merencio in dancing dress

Freila Merencio Blanco
was born in Havana, Cuba. She began her professional career in 1990 with the renowned folkloric group Raices Profundas. She later become soloist and then chorographer. She toured with Raices in Cuba and internationally. In addition to her time with Raices she also worked with the highly popular rumba group Yoruba Andabo as a dancer and back-up singer. She has also worked as an actress in national and international productions.

Lazaro Galarraga is a native of Havana, Cuba. He was a founding member of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. A world-renowned teacher, performing artist, choreographer and writer of Afro-Cuban music, culture and folklore, he has recorded, performed and taught across the U.S. and worldwide. He is now the musical director for the Caribbean Crew and for the Percussion Artists Workshop (PAWS) Afro-Cuban Folklore ensemble in Los Angeles.

Drum Instructors

Lazaro Galarraga (see above)

[photo of Francisco Aguabella playing conga]

Francisco Aguabella, the “virtuoso” percussionist of Afro-Cuban rhythms, was born in the province of Matanzas, Cuba. He gained notice for his secular drumming in Havana nightclub bands and for his mastery of the complex styles of Afro-Cuban ceremonial drumming. Aguabella is a legendary figure in the contemporary Afro-Cuban Lucumi tradition, and his mastery of the Batá drums is also well known. Since the 1950s, Aguabella has performed with Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paul Simon, Poncho Sanchez, Malo, Cal Tjader, Santana, Tito Rodriguez and Peggy Lee. He currently performs with his own Afro-Cuban folkloric group at community festivals in the Los Angeles area.

Israel "Toto" Berriel playing conga

Israel “Toto” Berriel
was born in Matanzas City, Cuba, and began his career at age 16 as an musician in Los Yumurinos, which had been mentored by members of the groups Afrocuba and Los Munequitos. Tito began performing with Afrocuba in 1988, and in 1991, began singing with Los Munequitos with whom he toured internationally. Residing in Canada since 2001, Tito continues to perform and teach traditional, popular, and folkloric music in Canada and abroad.

Jesus Diaz playing conga

Jesus Diaz is a native of Havana, Cuba. He has taught and performed in the S.F. Bay area since 1980. He also performs and teaches internationally with his all-percussion group Talking Drums. He has made over a dozen recordings and co-founded Bombo Music Productions in 1993, producing four records under the Bombo music label. Jesus has toured with Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Womack, Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E, Carlos Santana, Conjunto Cespedes, Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Giovanni Hidalgo and Celia Cruz.

[Photo of John Santos playing congas]

John Santos, multi-percussionist, is a major exponent of Afro-Latin music through innovative use of traditional forms and instruments with contemporary music, and record/event production. He’s worked with acknowledged masters such as Cachao, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Armando Peraza, Eddie Palmieri, Patato Valdés, Francisco Aguabella, Orestes Vilató, Batacumbele, Steve Turre, McCoy Tyner, and Carlos Santana. Santos is a member of the Latin Jazz Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian Institution, has contributed to several international magazines, and has conducted countless workshops, lectures and clinics in the U.S. and Europe. He is also founder and director (1985) of the internationally renowned Machete Ensemble. Its CD, SF Bay, was a 2003 Grammy nominee, and their current (seventh) CD, Brazos Abiertos, is receiving international critical acclaim.

Michael Spiro with shekere

Michael Spiro is an internationally recognized percussionist, recording artist, and educator known specifically for his work in the Latin music field. He studied for seven years in an apprenticeship with Francisco Aquabella. He has studied in Cuba with musicians such as Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Esteban "Cha-Cha" Vega Bacallao , Daniel Diaz, Juan "Claro" Blanco, Regino Jimenez, and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS

David Peñalosa has taught every year at the annual “Explorations in Afro-Cuban” program. A preeminent clave theorist, David is credited with conceptual guidance in several music instruction books, including The Tomas Cruz Conga Method Volumes 1-3 and Conor Guilfoyle’s Odd Meter Clave. David’s book, The Clave Matrix, is scheduled to publish this year.

Mark Lamson, through formal apprenticeships with Regino Jimenez and Esteban Vega Bacallao, obtained “Omo Ana” status, i.e., a fully-initiated folklorist in sacred Batá drumming. Mr. Lamson’s teaching experience includes Palomar College, San Diego State University, U.C. San Diego, U.C.L.A., and CSU San Marcos.

Chris Walker has studied Cuban folklore since 1983. He has performed with a wide variety of groups both in the S.F. Bay Area and abroad, including Rumbafroson, Sandunga, Owo Ache and Alafia. His drumming is featured on several CDs and instructional videos, and he has presented at festivals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and North Africa. Chris currently plays with ceremonial ensembles based in Oakland and San Jose.

Howard Kaufman is the founder and coordinator of the “Explorations in Afro-Cuban…” program. In addition, he is a Lecturer in Percussion at Humboldt State University, an Associate Professor in Percussion at College of the Redwoods, and has developed world percussion programs at local high schools in Humboldt County.

Colin Douglas is the musical director for Olorun, an Afro-Cuban folkloric dance company directed by Susana Arenas. He performs regularly in the San Francisco bay area with the band Parallel 23 and is an active member of the SF folkloric percussion scene.

Scott Wardinsky has done extensive research and field work in Cuba, recording the masters and helping Cuban artists teach in the U.S. He has managed the U.S. tours for Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Lazaro Ros, Amalia Pedrosa and Régino Jiménez. He has taught Afro-Cuban folkloric percussion classes for the Dept. of World Arts & Cultures at UCLA.

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