Cuban Modern and Contemporary Dance with Arsenio
New Class at TDT!
Cuban Modern and Contemporary Dance is characterized by the fusion with the Graham, Limon and Cunningham techniques, Ballet and traditional Cuban dance forms, including Afro Cuban rhythms with global contemporary techniques. Emerging in the 20th century, founded by Ramiro Guerra, it reflects a vibrant cultural heritage, emphasizing improvisation and individual expression. This dance is not only a performance art, but also a powerful medium for social and political expression, showcasing themes of identity, culture and history. Dancers will navigate complex combinations that weave together polyrhythms and off-axis movement, demanding both mental focus and physical agility and strength.
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Arsenio Andrade
Born and trained in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, first in Classical Ballet and subsequently Modern at La ENA, Havana, Cuba, Arsenio gained a BFA and professional credentials in Modern Dance Performance and Teaching. He joined Compañia Danza Teatro del Caribe where he became Principal Dancer and Tutor, directed by Cuban cultural icon, Eduardo Rivero Walker, and then the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. He has toured extensively internationally as a dancer and continues to work with various companies and organizations as a consultant, choreographer, dramaturge.
In 2024, Arsenio was Artist in Residence at Ruth Page Centre for the Arts, Chicago, and at CoDanco Studio in Suriname. He was also invited to conduct master classes in Kingston, Jamaica, at B.E.A.M. Studio and L’Acadco – A United Caribbean Dance Force. In 2025, he choreographed a major ballet for L’Acadco in honour of their 40th anniversary. In Toronto, Canada, Arsenio continues to teach Cuban Modern Contemporary and traditional dance forms on the faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly Ryerson University) degree Dance Program, as well with other companies and schools in Toronto. In addition, he currently teaches for Ballet Creole and Kashedance companies, as well as for their special intensive trainings.
He is committed to preserving and evolving the rich tradition of Cuban dance by fusing the traditional with Contemporary modern techniques, movements and influences. Arsenio has devoted his life to the art of dance as a teacher, choreographer, and performer, committed to nurturing talent and fostering the love for dance in his students. He is a champion of the Cuban dance ethos and will continue to inspire future generations of dancers for years to come.