Marisol Blanco, Master Teacher and graduate of Cuba’s prestigious Superior Institute of Arts (ISA) bachelor dance teacher and The National School of Arts (ENA) professional dancer, teaches Afro-Cuban Folkloric and Popular Dance, as well as, other forms of traditional dance from around the world. Marisol has been a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer for more than 25 years. She has earned popularity for her Rumba classes and special Afro-Cuban learning program, “HPS”. Marisol emphasizes the connection between steps, story, song, percussion, body expression, philosophy, psychology, and technical knowledge in her classes. She creates an environment of support, motivation, creativity, and curiosity, while encouraging her students to reach their full potential in her classroom. She is the owner and director of Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project. Marisol is also a former member of the first female drumming and dance group, Obini-Bata with respective recognition and evaluation from the Cuban National Center of Popular Music as percussion specialist/vocalist master level. She professionally danced in The Cuban National Folkloric Company. She has also successfully completed certificates of Art Performance Management, Ethnology, Social Anthropology and Ethno Choreography. She has traveled to several countries and remains active in both her dance and teaching careers successfully.
CHOREOGRAPHIC AND DANCE EXPERIENCE:
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan
Afrocuban Dance Project:
at Miami, Tampa,
Atlanta, Orlando, Washington D.C, Baltimore, Nicaragua, Honduras, México, Costa Rica Salsa Congresses- Bachata Fest
(2010-2020)
• Choreography dance works with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project:
at Coral Park Senior High School, South Miami Middle Community School, MDC Inter American, Kendall Campus, Broward South Campus, Albizu University, St. Thomas University, Barry University, FIU University, Boulder- Colorado University, University of Florida-Gainesville, Duke University and Oakland Park Library to celebrate Hispanicity Heritage and Black History months
(2018-2020)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project at Cubaocho Arts Museums and Ball & Chain for International Cruises Tour, Miami, FL (2015-2020)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project at “Dancing with the
World” and One World Soul of
Dance” International Folk Dance Festivals, Miami, FL (2015-2020)
• Dance Performance: Art Basal exposition, Miami, FL (2015-2020)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project, “AARP Life @ 50 +
conference “ at Miami Convention Center, Miami, FL (2015)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project at Saka Fest, Afri Fest, Afro Ocho Dance Fest, African Diaspora Dance & Drum Festival-Delou Africa,
Afrocuba Miami Fest, Djapo Cultural Art Anniversary Cleveland-Ohio (2014-2020)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project, “Cuba Arts & Dance Festival “ at University of Boulder, Colorado (2014)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afrocuban dance Project at The Annuals of New Times Iron Fork, Miami, FL (2014-2016)
• Dance performance: Gulf Coast Folklife Festival, (with Elsequier Torres), Tarpon Spring, FL (2011-2014) and
National Heritage Fellowship Concert Washington D.C (2010)
• Choreographic dance work with Sikan Afro-Cuban Dance Project, “Concert honoring the
ladies in white” at FIU Auditorium, Miami, FL (2010)
• Dance performance with Ile Ife Dance Company (with Neri Torres), at Haiti Turtle Island (2010), Tampa Dance
Festival, FL (2011) and Miami Airport, FL (2012)
• Dance performances: TV Channel Cubana de Televisión, Miami, FL (2009-2013)
• Dance performance with Advanced Entertainment Group at Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition. Inc, FL (2009)
• Dance performance: Mano Santa, Urban Tribal Project (Afro Brazilian Music Group) and Los Herederos (Afrocuban Music Group) Miami, FL (2008-2018)
• Member of The first female drumming, singing and dance group in Cuba “Obbini Bata” international and national performances (2002-2008).
Member of Folk Company JJ Art Tour (2001)
Member of The Cuban National Folkloric Dance Company (2000)
Member of ISA Dance Company (1995-1999)
Member of Banrrara Dance group (1998)
Member of New Pines Dance Group (1990)
Member of Cumbaye Group (1989)
DANCE INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE:
• Yearly African Diaspora Dance and Drum Festival-Delou Africa at Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Miami, FL
(2014-2020)
• Master Classes at:
Mexico City, San Luis Potosí, Guadalajara, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Panama, Netherlands, Washington D.C, Texas, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Ohio, Baltimore, Colorado, North Carolina, New Orleans, New York, Cincinnati, Tallahassee, Tarpon Spring and Miami for dance educational modules, workshops, master classes, seminars, conferences, intensives training, boot camps, Salsa Congresses and Festivals, (2010-2020)
Tekrema Arts Center, Louisiana, New Orleans (2017-2019)
Pearl Street Studio, Boulder, Colorado; Alpha Midway Studio, Dallas, Texas; Lucumi project, New Jersey- New York; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; FSU University of Tallahassee and Folk life apprenticeship program, Tallahassee, (2013-2016)
National Zumba Convention, Orlando, FL (2009)
• Dance tutor/ Dance counselor/ Dance instructor at Coral Park Senior High School and South Miami Middle Community School,
Creative Heart, Baila con Micho, Nuevolution, Koubek Center, Salsa Karibe, Salsa Lover’s, Casa Salsa, Prestige, Hot Spot, Casin Arts Academy, Salsannati, Timba Tumbao, Dance with Julie, Rumbao, Mambo Dinámico, Gastor Salsa Club, Iroko, Salsa Synergy, Casino Starts, Cobobrothers, D.C Casineros, Salsa Honduras and Salsa Nicaragua, (2008-2020)
• Teaching experience Dance Programs in Miami, FL:
6th St Dance Studio, LuxiFit Dance Studio, Free Soul Dance Studio, Salsa Lover’s Dance
Studio, Karibe Dance Studio, Dance Art and Fitness Studio (DAF), Fusion Dance Studio, Pan Studio, La Fortuna, The Barnyard, Art 4Learning, The Motivational Edge, The Shimmy Club, Link Company, Ovations Global Network, San Thomas University Summer Camp, Barry University-Carnival Art Program, Miami Art Museum, Jose Marti Park, Elizabeth Virrick Park, Henderson Park, River Side Park to the Recreation Department of Miami City, Thomas A. Edison Educational Center, (2008-2020)
• Music Agency Antonio Maria Romeo, Dance Courses, Havana, Cuba (2003-2005)
EDUCATIONAL DEGREES AND AWARDS:
• Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC),
Miami, FL (2012)
Zumba Fitness Certification Instructor Level, Miami, FL (2009);
Superior Institute of Arts (ISA) bachelor degrees, Artistic Learning Center Sampedrano
(CENSEA) associate degrees, and The National School of Arts (ENA) professional
degrees, Havana, Cuba (1992- 2002)
Awards:
• Baila con Micho Award in appreciation for outstanding choreographer, Miami, FL (2020)
• Community Champion of Calle Ocho News Award, Miami, FL(2019)
• Winner of the Knights Arts Challenge Awards Corinna Moebius names Sikan Afrocuban
Dance Project beneficiary of the grant to perform her “AfroOcho Dance Festival” 2018
in Little Havana
• Best interpretation & communication with the audience, Best Choreography, Special Jury Awards and Second Place “Dancing with the world” International Folk Dance Festival, Miami, FL (2017-2020)
• “Afrocuba Miami” yearly award by Yoruba Cultural Association U.S.A in recognition for
performance and choreographic work (2015-2020)
• Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye and Albizu University 50th Anniversary, special
recognition award in appreciation for the support of the Role of Women in the Lukumi Religion,
Miami, FL (2016)
• Special recognition award in appreciation for the support to of the 2nd Annual Angeles Reach
Foundation Benefic Concert and Art Auction to benefit children with autism, Miami, FL
(2015)
• Adupe Agba award by Oloshas United of Miami in recognition for performance and
choreographic work, Miami, FL (2015-2016)
• Special Jury Award 5th Annual “Dancing with the world” International Folk Dance
Festival, Miami, FL (2015)
• City of Havana Cultural Community Centers recognition award for instructor seminars,
(2006)
• 8th World Annual Congress of Orisha Tradition and Culture first place award for
choreographic work, Havana (2003)
• 13th Annual Elsinor Festival of Theater and Dance Superior Art Institute Scenic Arts Faculty, first place award for choreography, Second place for investigative work and Honor Student award, Havana (1999)
• Folk’ Havana Festival’96 Second Dance and Song Contest first place award by the Center
for Community Culture City of Havana, (1996)
• First Scientific Workshop “Between Cubans” award by Office of the Historian in Havana,
(1996)
PERFORMANCE PUBLICATIONS, ACCOLADES AND INTERVIEWS:
• The Reporter interview on MDC Koubek Center AfroCuban Dance Classes by Alice Moreno (Feb. 2020). Talk show: Tradiciones Afrocubanas/Entre Hermanos, Podcast #miamialternativo, MDC, Miami Salsa Congress, Accesototal 51, AmericaTV and MegaTV (2015-2020)
• Diario las Americas photo used as an icon to represent Miami on the article titled:
“Cuban/US Lukumi religion recognition and empowerment” (2017)
• Miami New Times Magazine photo/article (2014/2016)
• DAS Magazine photo/article (2015)
• National Geographic Magazine photo/article (2010)
• Miamissimo Magazine photo/article (2008)
• Miami Metro Magazine photo/article (2008)
• New Herald photo/article (2008)
Web page: marisolblanco.com
YouTube videos: Marisol Blanco & Sikan Afrocuban Dance Project
Instagram: MarisolBlanco99
Contact Information:
Phone: 786-278-8828
Email: marisolblancoobakeyesi@gmail.com
