Ariel is the director of the Conjunto Folklorico of the University of Havana and taught at the National Arts Instructorís School for teachers-in-training. He has fifteen years experience as a professional dancer and has performed and choreographed for internationally renowned companies including the National Ballet of Cuba, Isadanza and Yoruba Andabo. He specialises in Cuban popular dancing, Afro-Cuban, modern and contemporary dancing. Ariel is highly skilled and knowledgeable in traditional Cuban dances
His company, The Conjunto Folklorico of the University of Havana, was awarded first prize in the National University Festival 3 times. He has nine years experience in designing and presenting courses in dance including master classes, lectures and presentations in cultural centres, specialising in Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Son, Danzon, Rumba, Afrocuban, Salsa and Casino, Mozambique, Pilon.
He is a principal teacher to foreign students, who are learning Spanish at the Havana University, and this experience, along with giving lessons to the agencies of dancing projects from Belgium, France, Holland and England, has built his international teaching skills and understanding of the communication needs of students from varied cultures. In addition, he has taught in the National Arts Instructorís School for teachers-in-training and written an article on "Teaching Methods" for people of different nationalities and languages. He has co-ordinated and choreographed national and international dance tours, some of the more renowned including Santiago de Cuba in the "Caribbean Festival", Mexico and United Arab Emirates.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Professor and Instructor of Dance and Culture, specialising in Cuban, Latin and Central American dance
National Centre of Artists Cuban Ministry of Culture 2003
Professor and instructor of popular and Afro Cuban Dance
National Centre of Artists Cuban Ministry of Culture 1999
Professor of dance and “Regisseur” of the folk group
University of Habana 1997
“A” grade in the “Movement of Amateur Artists”
Cuban Ministry of Culture. 1995
“A” grade the highest obtainable in the “Movement of Amateur Artists”
Cuban Ministry of Culture. 1993
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS:
2005 Toured United Arab Emirates, Dubai for the Shopping Festival. Performed, choreographed and presented workshops.
2004 Choreographed the “Folk University group of the Habana University” to win a National First Prize, Cuba.
2003 Taught international students for the Centro Nacional of Superation Artistic
Taught in schools for people with intellectual impairments, London
Taught Master Classes, Norway
2001 Presented courses in Campeche, Mexico including master classes, conferences and presentations in cultural centres.
1997 & 1998 Toured in Campeche, Mexico, obtaining a Diploma of Recognition from the University of Campeche.
1993 Toured Mexico in the first festival of dance in fourteen cities and eight states, achieved the first prize in Folk dance.
1992 Distinction and first prize in the “Wemilere” Festival. This is a very prestigious festival that attracts the most renowned groups.
1991 Virtuosos intervention in the special program “La Movida” at the Cabaret Tropicana.
WRITTEN ARTICLES:
Presented a working Diploma through the Cultural Community Project by enabling children with behavioural problems to benefit from dancing and artistic creation.
Presentation of a work of preservation of our folk dancing with the theme “Casino Aqui estoy yo”(Casino here I am )that can be seen in two cultural associations and in the course for art instructors for cultural associations.
Presentation of “Teaching Methods” for people of the different nationalities and languages.
Presented in the Thesis of speciality dance about Centre dance country “Bailes Trinitarios”
PRIZES OBTAINED:
2003 & 2004 1st prize Festival National University
2002 Golden prize awarded in the University Festival
2001 & 2002 Prize awarded in the Provincial Festival of University
2000 3rd prize in the University festival
1999 Prize of the “Nicolas Guillen” foundation
1997 & 1999 First position in the Amateur Festival
1996 Awarded 1st prize in the amateur section in Santiago de Cuba
Unique prize in Dancing, National Festival
1995 Distinction in the provincial Amateur Festival University
1994 Awarded 1st prize in the University Habana
Awarded a silver medal in the amateur National Festival
Awarded prize of Cuban folk ,National meeting of dancing and music “Giraldilla”
1993 2nd prize in the National Meeting of Dancing and Music ,”Giraldilla”