SUMMER
Workshops, Masterclasses,
& Community Classes
Cerrudo Repertoire
with Alejandro Cerrudo
Tuesday, June 17
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
$10 drop-in
About the Masterclass
Acclaimed Choreographer and Artistic Director of Charlotte Ballet, Alejandro Cerrudo will teach choreographed works from his repertoire. Cerrudo has created over 25 works that have been performed by professional dance companies around the world. His contemporary choreography has been described as “silky, cerebral, spellbinding,” “inventive and rapturously beautiful…, wholly absorbing and emotionally compelling.” Learn to embody the movement language that stuns audiences and critics alike, as Alejandro Cerrudo joins us in the studios to teach one of his acclaimed works.
Students should arrive warm for this class.
About Alejandro Cerrudo
Alejandro Cerrudo was born in Madrid, Spain. His professional career includes work with Victor Ullate Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater 2, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC). Cerrudo became HSDC’s first-ever resident choreographer in 2008 and held that position until 2018. Cerrudo’s body of work has been performed by over 20 professional dance companies around the world. Honors include an award from the Boomerang Fund for Artists (2011) and the Prince Prize for Commissioning Original Work from the Prince Charitable Trusts (2012) for his acclaimed, first evening-length work, One Thousand Pieces. In 2014, he was awarded the USA Donnelley Fellowship by United States Artists. Also, Cerrudo was one of four choreographers invited by New York City Ballet’s Wendy Whelan to create and perform original duets for Restless Creatures. In 2017, Cerrudo was invited by Daniil Simkin to choreograph a site-specific performance for the Guggenheim Rotunda, a Works & Process Rotunda Project commission, featuring Daniil Simkin and original costumes by Dior. Cerrudo’s Sleeping Beauty, created with Ballet Theater Basel in 2016, was nominated as “Production of the Year” in Switzerland in the “Tanz, Jahrbuch 2016” by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. In 2020, Cerrudo was appointed Pacific Northwest Ballet’s resident choreographer, with that, he became the first artist in the company’s history to have the honor of holding that title. Independently, he directed and choreographed his show, “It Starts Now,” which premiered in 2020 at The Joyce Theater in New York. In 2022, Cerrudo was appointed Artistic Director of Charlotte Ballet.
Salsa – Rhythmical Movement From Africa to the World
with Norberto “Betto” Herrera
Tuesday, June 24
7:30 pm–9:00 pm
$10 drop-in
About the Masterclass
Dancers will be exposed to Latin dance movement, which by nature is grounded, energetic, fun and multifaceted. We will be exploring different dance techniques and styles of the popular dance generally known as “Salsa”. This polyrhythmic music genre has many textures that we will explore and transform them into fluid and powerful movements from styles such as Rumba, Son, Pilón, Pachanga and Mambo.
About Norberto “Betto” Herrera
Norberto “Betto” Herrera, from Ecuador, migrated to New Jersey with his family in 1996 as a teenager. He started to train in Latin dance to feel in touch with his culture, an experience which inspired him to seek knowledge about the roots of Afro-Latin music and dances.
Soon after joining the US Marines in 2000, Betto started teaching Afro-Latin dance classes at Camp Lejeune, NC and the Jacksonville USO. His desire to dance, led him to the Triangle Area, where he started teaching as well, and finally founded Mambo Dinamico Dance Company in 2002, and continued teaching lessons even after his discharge from Active duty in 2004. He now teaches at Carmen’s Cuban Cafe, in a partnership that has helped create a vibrant dance scene in the Triangle area.
During his career, Betto had sought training and mentorship from some leaders in the dance and music industry, like Salsa instructor Ismael Otero, Afro-Cuban Masters Felix “Pupy” Insua (+) and Marisol Blanco, legendary Palladium Mambo Dancer Pedro Aguilar aka “Cuban Pete” (+) and Barbara Craddock (+), Percussionist Beverly Botsford, and Ethnomusicologist Prof. David Garcia from UNC-CH.
Norberto “Betto” Herrera, from Ecuador, migrated to New Jersey with his family in 1996 as a teenager. He started to train in Latin dance to feel in touch with his culture, an experience which inspired him to seek knowledge about the roots of Afro-Latin music and dances.
Soon after joining the US Marines in 2000, Betto started teaching Afro-Latin dance classes at Camp Lejeune, NC and the Jacksonville USO. His desire to dance, led him to the Triangle Area, where he started teaching as well, and finally founded Mambo Dinamico Dance Company in 2002, and continued teaching lessons even after his discharge from Active duty in 2004. He now teaches at Carmen’s Cuban Cafe, in a partnership that has helped create a vibrant dance scene in the Triangle area.
During his career, Betto had sought training and mentorship from some leaders in the dance and music industry, like Salsa instructor Ismael Otero, Afro-Cuban Masters Felix “Pupy” Insua (+) and Marisol Blanco, legendary Palladium Mambo Dancer Pedro Aguilar aka “Cuban Pete” (+) and Barbara Craddock (+), Percussionist Beverly Botsford, and Ethnomusicologist Prof. David Garcia from UNC-CH.
Exploring Kathak
with Tanu Sharma
Saturday, June 28
2:00 pm–3:30 pm
$10 drop-in
About the Masterclass
An exploration into the movement vocabulary of the Indian classical dance form “Kathak”, focusing on its subtle aesthetics.
The class will include:
- brief introduction of the artform
- introduction of the core technique including footwork, spins, unique stances, and storytelling aspects.
- compositions including fluid movement patterns focusing on elements that define the grace and beauty of the dance form.
About Tanu Sharma
Born and raised in India, Tanu Sharma is a dance artist and a choreographer. She received her Master’s in Kathak dance from BVDU, India. She received her Master’s in Computer Science from NCSU, USA. She also received her Senior Diploma in vocal music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, India. Over the years she has taught, choreographed and performed at various local, national and international events and venues including Stewart Theatre, Resist Covid/ Take 6 ! at the Nasher Museum, Durham Arts council, Cary Arts Center, National Dance Day at Greensboro Downtown Parks, local temples, NABC (Las Vegas), Raaga Revival etc. During her undergraduate years, she served as the prime dancer and artistic director for the dance team at IET, India.
She has taught dance to all ages and has participated in several cultural outreach programs and lecture demonstrations. She has served as a judge for local and international dance competitions. She has also participated in several cultural fundraising events e.g. “Dancing with the Carolina Stars” at the Carolina Theatre of Durham, and organized fundraising events for several years for the “Two Cents of Hope” student organization at NCSU. During her journey as a dancer, she has explored varied dance styles like Indian folk, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, and Hip-hop. She is a longtime yoga practitioner aiming to deepen her movement practice.
She believes in a lifelong pursuit of learning and gathering knowledge while exploring creativity and pushing boundaries. She believes that art has a deep impact on our lives and is meant to make us better human beings while helping us explore our inner expression. She lives in Cary with her family.
Latin Social Dance Class
with Omar Rivéra & Olivia Winston
Saturday, June 28
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
$20 package deal
Attend both the class and the Latin Dance Party for only $20!
About the Masterclass
Get moving with Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latinx cultural organization. Latin Social Dance classes introduce the basics of several techniques including Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, and other Latinx dance forms. This class is designed for all levels and ages. No matter your past experience, the dancers of Ballet Hispańico will get you moving and experiencing the joy of dance!
- No dance training required
- No partner is required
- Wear comfortable clothes, no shoes
About Omar Rivéra & Olivia Winston
Omar Rivéra (He/Him) is a Mexican-American originally from Los Angeles, CA. After moving to Dallas, Texas, Rivéra trained at Prodigy Dance & Performing Arts Centre under the direction of Camille Billelo. He graduated from the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Rivéra graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona in 2018. While at the University of Arizona, Rivéra performed at The Joyce Theater for the José Limón International Dance Festival, and danced works by guest artists including Christopher Wheeldon, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Bella Lewitzky and others. This is Omar’s seventh season with Ballet Hispánico.
Olivia Winston (She/Her) is originally from Salt Lake City, UT, and received her early classical ballet training in the Ballet West Academy Professional Training Division. She attended intensives at BalletX, Complexions, Hubbard Street, LINES, American Ballet Theater, Houston Ballet, and Ballet West/ArtÉmotion. In 2023 Olivia graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program where she performed works by Alonzo King, Mike Tyus, Keelan Whitmore, Gregory Dawson, Carmen Rozestraten, Moscelyne ParkeHarrison, and Kayla Farrish. While in the Bay area she also had the opportunity to perform with dawsondancesf, tinypistol, and ZiRu Dance. Olivia was a Dance Fellow with BalletX for the 2023-2024 season where she performed works by Matthew Neenan, Jennifer Archibald, Natasha Adorlee, Nicola Wills, and Amy Hall Garner. This is Olivia’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
Olivia Winston (She/Her) is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah and received her early classical ballet training in the Ballet West Academy Professional Training Division. She attended intensives at BalletX, Complexions, Hubbard Street, LINES, American Ballet Theater, Houston Ballet, and Ballet West/ArtÉmotion. In 2023 Olivia graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program where she performed works by Alonzo King, Mike Tyus, Keelan Whitmore, Gregory Dawson, Carmen Rozestraten, Moscelyne ParkeHarrison, and Kayla Farrish. While in the Bay area she also had the opportunity to perform with dawsondancesf, tinypistol, and ZiRu Dance. Olivia was a Dance Fellow with BalletX for the 2023-2024 season where she performed works by Matthew Neenan, Jennifer Archibald, Natasha Adorlee, Nicola Wills, and Amy Hall Garner. This is Olivia’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
Attention as Navigation: An Improvisational Dance Workshop
with Alexander Davis
Sunday, June 29
12:30–2:00 pm
$10 drop-in
About the Workshop
Join Alexander Davis for an exploration of improvised movement where attention becomes your compass for creative choice-making. This workshop invites dancers of all levels to discover how focused awareness can unlock spontaneous, authentic, and unexpected expression through the body.
Drawing from diverse movement practices including Viewpoints, Contact Improvisation, and improvisational comedy, participants will engage in a series of guided exercises designed to sharpen perceptual awareness and develop trust for one’s own instinctive responses. Rather than predetermined choreography, dancers will learn to follow the subtle signals of attention—noticing what captures focus, what creates curiosity, and what demands presence in each moment.
Through partnered explorations, solo investigations, and group dynamics, participants will practice using attention as both anchor and catalyst for movement decisions. The workshop emphasizes the triangulation and queer interplay between internal sensation, external awareness, and the imagination, teaching dancers to navigate the space between emergence and action that defines improvisation.
Open to all movement backgrounds and experience levels.
About Alexander Davis
Alexander Davis is a Boston-based performer, fiber artist, and choreographer. He holds an MFA from Smith College (2023). Davis was named City of Boston Artist Fellow in 2019. His performance work includes collaborations with Ryan Landry’s Gold Dust Orphans, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Children’s Chorus, Global Arts Live, Improv Asylum/Laugh Boston, and Urbanity Dance. He assisted choreographer Monica Bill Barnes on Greta Gerwig’s film Little Women (2019) and has worked as an assistant to choreographer Shura Baryshnikov. Davis has received grants and residencies from The Studios at Mass MoCA, The Boston Foundation, NEFA, The City of Boston, and The Theatre Offensive. In 2018, he and collaborator Joy Davis were named Bessie Schonberg (Boston) Fellows at The Yard, where they developed Junk Drawer, which toured New England in 2019-2020. Together as The Davis Sisters, they have held residencies at Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Studio@550, Boston Center for the Arts, Chelsea Theatre Works, Bates Dance Festival, Wesleyan Center for the Arts, and Goodyear Arts in Charlotte, NC. Davis’s fiber art series Federation of Athletic Gentleman (F.A.G.) was exhibited at Childs Gallery, Boston, in Interlaced: The Fabric of Art, which he also curated. His curatorial work at Childs Gallery includes Gaze: A History of Male Physique Photography, Closet to Quarantine: Queer Art Then and Now, Chuck: The Photography of George Platt Lynes, and John MacConnell: Fragments.
Into the Weirdness
with Miguel Gutierrez
Monday, July 7
5:00 pm–6:30 pm
$15 drop-in
About the Workshop
In this workshop we tap into “uncanny” relationships of self to other, time, and space. We find ways to identify the strangeness that is always present but so often repressed. Dance is a way to uncover and express desires, excess feelings, and the multiplicity we all hold. These exercises reflect approaches I use in my work, and they also serve as practices to negotiate what it is to be in a room of individuals together—or as Jean Luc Nancy famously put it— “the singular plural.”
About Miguel Gutierrez
Miguel Gutierrez (he/him) is an artist and educator living between Lenapehoking/Brooklyn, NY, and Tovaangar/Los Angeles. His work continues and expands the legacy of experimental QTPOC artists and creates empathetic, irreverent, and reflective spaces that prioritize attention as a means to unravel normative belief systems. He is also fascinated by how capital interacts with art making, a topic he explored in his podcast Are You For Sale? Recent performance work includes Super Nothing, a dance blueprint for queer survival developed as the Randjelović/Stryker Resident Commissioned Artist at New York Live Arts, and a music project called sueño, which premiered in 2022 at the High Line Festival. His work has been presented internationally for over twenty years in venues such as Festival D’Automne in Paris, On the Boards, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Festival Universitario in Colombia, and as a selected artist in the 2014 Whitney Biennial. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, a United States Artists Fellow, and a recipient of a Foundation for Contemporary Art award, a 2016 Doris Duke Artist Award, a 2016 Frankie Award, and four New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Awards. He has received project support multiple times through the National Performance Network, MAP Fund, and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project. He is an Associate Professor of Choreography in the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance at UCLA. www.miguelgutierrez.org
Samuel H. Scripps Studios
721 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-797-2871
studios@americandancefestival.org
We are located on the second floor, accessible by elevator or stairs. There is ample free parking (including two handicap parking spots) in the lot connected to our building.