HAVANA CUBAN DANCE STUDIO

Marcos Ravelo Bio

What makes us a unique dance company is our instructors’ experience and love for their work.

Our main instructor and Director Marcos Ravelo has taught Salsa, Rumba, Guaguanco, Cha Cha Cha, Casino Rueda, Reggaeton, Bachata and Merengue workshops across Canada in Cities including Montreal, Toronto, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver. He has introduced his style of dance to Miami, San Francisco, Portland and Las Vegas. He has also taught in Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Japan and the Bahamas. His latest work was at the Cancun's Mayan Casino Rueda congress 2011, the Tokyo Japan Club Salud 2010, Calgary’s International Salsa Congress 2010, San Francisco International Rueda Festival 2010 and Vancouver Rueda Festival 2010, where hundreds of students and dancers , including some of the best Salseros and Casineros in the world, attended his workshops.

Since then, Marcos has had the opportunity to showcase his energizing and innovative choreography in countless events, including Calgary’s Expo Latino, Heritage Day, Vancouver Salsa International Rueda Congress, Miami International Salsa Congress, Yokohama Japan Salsa Festival, Cancun Casino Rueda Congress, San Francisco International Salsa Festival, Portland Salsa Festival, International Salsa Palooza Edmonton, Global Fest Calgary- Edmonton- Saskatoon, Calgary's International Salsa Congress, Lilac Fest, International Dance Day, Heritage Day, Sun and Salsa, Fiestaval, Expolatino, TV Shows Breakfast Channel and many other events including the Guinness World Record for largest dance lesson in the world.

Marcos Ravelo also had the honor of opening for local and world renowned musical groups including Pachanga, Puerto Rican Power, Grammy Nominees Maraca, Tiempo Libre, Chuchito Valdez, Wil Campa, Oscar De Leon, La Orquesta Spanish Harlem, Joe Arroyo, Tres de la Habana, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, DLG, Huey Dumbar and Grammy Winners Ignacio Berroa, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Yoruba Andabo, Grupo Niche, Fruko y sus Tesos Sonora Carruseles and many more famous bands like La Sonora Dinamita, Cubanito, Pitbull Pop Star, Eddy-k, Cheka, Dayron y El Boom, Mayito Rivera, La Maquina, Los hermanos Flores and Nina Sky.

Each January of 2007 through 2011 Marcos was asked, along with some of his advanced students, to grace the main stage of the Jack Singer Concert Hall Theatre in conjunction with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Soon after, Marcos entered the “So You Think You Can Dance Calgary” dance competition, placing first in the Latin dance category.

Marcos Ravelo has continued to make a name for himself and his studio in Calgary as well as internationally, leaving those in his path with an insatiable hunger for the taste of true Cuban culture!

Katreena Cardenas Bio

INSTRUCTOR, PERFORMER, AND CHOREOGRAPHER

Katreena Cardenas was raised with a very strong Latin Brazilian background, which influenced her vivacious passion for dance from the tender age of five. Her extensive training includes Ballet, Point, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Afro-Cuban, Belly Dancing, Samba, and, of course, Salsa to name a few. To keep herself challenged and progressive, Katreena travels extensively to hone her skills from many of the world’s most creative and masterful teachers and dancers.

Katreena was introduced to Latin and Belly Dance by her mother, Madje Nubia Cardenas, owner of Del Mundo Dance Academy; where she taught, choreographed, and performed with their dance company for four years. In 2006, she assisted her mother to create and found the original Brazilian Pavilion within Saskatoon Folkfest. Katreena along with her fellow dancer and sister Rebecca were nominated as Co-Chairpersons for Decoration and Entertainment Coordination.

In 2008, Katreena moved to Calgary to further pursue her Salsa dancing career. In Calgary, she attained her training in Cuban Salsa and became the core Salsa dance partner of Cuban born professional Salsa dancer Marcos Ravelo. Katreena is the Co-Director of Salsazon Dance Company; Calgary’s only local and internationally touring professional Cuban Salsa Company.

Since then, Katreena has had the opportunity to showcase her captivating performances in countless events, including the San Francisco International Salsa Festival, Vancouver’s Salsa International Rueda Congress, Calgary's International Salsa Congress and International Dance Day. Calgary’s Sun and Salsa, Fiestaval, ExpoLatino, Heritage Day, Global Fest and Lilac Fest.

Katreena Cardenas also has had the honour of opening for many talented local and world renowned musical groups including Pachanga and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Also, Grammy Nominees: Maraca, Tiempo Libre, and Oscar De Leon in addition to Grammy Winners: Fruko Y Sus Tesos. Plus, in 2009, she had a Television appearance on the Breakfast Channel.

Katreena remains a passionate and energetic performer and choreographer. She continues to teach a variety of dance forms, including Latin, Brazilian, and Middle Eastern Belly Dance here in Calgary at Havana Cuban Dance Studio, and extends a warm invitation to all.