¡A Bailar!

Cristela Guerra is a senior arts and culture reporter at WBUR in Boston, a queer Panamanian journalist of color, and a moderator who facilitates and leads conversations around race, identity, and equity. Before working in public radio, she was a newspaper journalist for more than a decade, working at The Boston Globe and The News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida. She is one of 24 journalists from around the world selected for the 2024 class of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Her work received a regional and national Edward R. Murrow Award in 2014 and most recently received another regional Edward R. Murrow in 2023 as part of “Continuing Coverage” for her work at the U.S.-Mexico border on the journey of Venezuelans migrants. She was chosen as a 2019 Latina Leader by Amplify Latinx and selected by YW Boston to be inducted into its 2023 Academy of Women Achievers and receive the organization’s Sylvia Ferrell-Jones Award. They are the vice-president of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and vice-chair of the board at RAW Art Works.

In addition to being the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE), Jean Appolon is a successful choreographer and master teacher based in Boston and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Appolon received his earliest training and performance opportunities in Port-au-Prince with the Viviane Gauthier Dance Company and the Folkloric Ballet of Haiti. Appolon continued his dance education in the U.S. at the Harvard and Radcliffe Dance Program (1995-1996, Boston, MA), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (1996-1998, New York, NY) and the Joffrey American Ballet School (1998-2003, New York, NY), where he  graduated with a B.A. from a joint degree program offered by The New School.

Appolon has also performed with Elma Lewis Productions (Black Nativity), Marlene Silva, North Star Ballet Company (Fairbanks, AK), Black Door Dance Company (Miami, FL), and the Atlantic City Ballet Company.

Jean Appolon teaches regularly at Boston Ballet, UMASS Boston and The Dance Complex (Cambridge, MA), among other locations. Beginning in 2006, Appolon conceived and has since directed a free annual summer dance course in Port-au-Prince that serves young, aspiring Haitian dancers who do not have regular access to dance training. Since 2019, the Summer Dance Institute has been held in Lawrence, MA, in partnership with the Izizwe Dance Studio.

Appolon’s Boston-based Haitian Contemporary dance company has performed at major venues in Boston and has toured to Washington, DC and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. JAE also has performed at many schools and colleges, including Harvard University, Lesley College and Wheaton College. JAE has been fortunate to share the stage with celebrities such as Danny Glover, Henry Louis Gates and Edwidge Danticat, and to collaborate with community partners such as Central Square Theater and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción.

Anara Frank's first passion was gymnastics, and she fell in love with Latin dance styles while living in Havana as a teen. Upon returning to Boston she began her career as a gymnastics & dance coach, and sought out additional training opportunities, traveling extensively to New York, Cuba, and other locations, training in a variety of genres as she developed her own unique fusion style. As her passion for dance grew, her focus areas have included NY & LA styles of Salsa, Horton & Cuban Modern Techniques, as well as traditional genres from Cuba & the Dominican Republic, from Rumba to Bachata. She is thankful for all of the incredible coaches, dance partners, colleagues and students who have supported her along the way!

Anara has been honored to receive numerous awards and recognitions over the years, and she is widely recognized for her expertise in developing artists, taking them up the ladder of success across a broad range of styles and techniques. As the founding director of two performing arts organizations– JAM'NASTICS Inc (1990-2005) and MetaMovements (2006-present)-- Anara has performed on many stages, led numerous cultural exchanges in the US, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic and has trained thousands of students and instructors across a variety of genres. Anara is credited as a pioneer in the dance communities she has lived and worked in, and  many of her students have gone on to become dance company directors, instructors, and internationally renowned performers.

Anara is known for her ability to provide exercises and drills that help dancers of every level achieve their goals more quickly. Her own health challenges sidelined her from performance for many years and provided her with essential insights into how dancers can develop strength, flexibility, and resilience to continue dancing during challenging times, and even how to use dance as a tool for healing. Anara is passionate about helping her students feel amazing and reach goals they never knew their bodies could achieve!

Today, Anara continues to teach, choreograph, lead retreats, and speak about the history of the dances she loves through tours, festivals and events worldwide. Anara believes deeply in the power of dance to transform our lives, and her work is continuously inspired by her students, her fellow artists and collaborators in Boston, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Amanda Bravo is a Nuyorican, multi-passionate creative, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Expressive Arts healer specializing in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with a knack for nurturing her playful inner child. Holding a BA in Studio Art, a Dual Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Board Certification in DMT she draws on her cumulative experiences from years of work in various fields. Amanda's central passion revolves around promoting representation and equity in the arts, with a primary focus on uplifting the voices of BIWOC and dis/abled individuals, particularly in narratives related to health.

Art With Intuition's diverse artistic portfolio, spanning resin work, drawings, paintings, and more, showcases unconventional mastery and emphasizes the role of art in fostering mental well-being. Through her creations, Amanda sparks reflection, meaningful dialogue, and empowerment, embodying artistry as a catalyst for profound transformation and healing. Art With Intuition has participated in markets and events such as C. C. Lowel’s Mini Merry Markets, Bark in The Park, Community Expressive Arts Facilitator at The  Museum of Science’s Subspace series: A Bailar! Dance as a Way of Inclusion, South Boston Waterfront Utility art Program: There is Creativity in Us All, Artist at the “Community Art Healing'' series in collaboration with Boston At-Large City Counselor Julia Mejia and The Community Builders, and more.

Diana Ruiz is a Mexican-born dancer, instructor, and choreographer whose love for Rueda de Casino began 10 years ago after moving to Boston, Massachusetts.

Diana is passionate about teaching Cuban ballroom dancing in all of its formats and has traveled nationally and internationally to teach workshops.

During the academic year, Diana teaches casino and rueda lessons for MIT Casino Rueda and Boston Rueda. During the summer, she helps run 'Rueda in the Pahk' every Sunday in Cambridge. She also leads Despelote Boston, a diverse and vibrant community of local Cuban dance enthusiasts.

Diana is known for her dynamic rueda calling and her knock-it-out-of-Fenway-park teaching skills. She loves to make people dance, laugh, and have fun. Don't miss her at ¡A Bailar!

Boston based DJ La Nena is all about creating a feel good atmosphere at every event she has the opportunity of playing music for. Growing up in a household deep rooted in Puerto Rican culture and with a mom who breathed and lived Latin music, DJ La Nena grew up to love and appreciate genres like salsa, bachata, and merengue. It was this first love of music and the lack of Latino representation she noticed in the city’s nightlife that drove her to buy her first mixer and teach herself the art of mixing beats. Now with over a decade of experience, her client list ranges from private events, boat cruises, weddings, and nightclubs. “For me is all about making sure people have a good time and leave the dance floor happy having danced to their favorite song.”

Velouse Joseph studied dance at the Jean Appolon Expressions' Summer Dance Institute in Port-au-Prince, Haiti from 2013-2018. She also assisted Jean in her hometown of Arcahaie at the organization Hope on a String (HOAS). Velouse joined HOAS as instructional staff, teaching dance to younger students. In 2018, Velouse moved to Massachusetts with family and joined JAE as a professional dancer. She now teaches Haitian Folkloric classes in public schools and with the JAE community.

Javier Jeffer Cumbrera, born in Havana, began dancing, singing and playing percussion at a young age with the support of his parents, and inspiration of his ancestors. His career began at the renowned Teatro America children’s performance program, and at De Okan a children’s folkloric music & dance ensemble. By the age of 10, he was accepted into Cuba’s National Art School program, and also began competing in national and international dance competitions, earning awards as both a dancer and choreographer. After the 8-year course of study, Javier graduated with honors and a degree as a professional dancer and educator, and was selected for an internship at Danza Contemporánea de Cuba--the country’s National Contemporary Dance Company. Javier is an uplifting and uniquely gifted dancer, musician and teacher, who is passionate about sharing his love for dance and music with students of all levels and audiences from around the world. 

The Masacote Dance School is directed by acclaimed dance and music professionals. It offers authentic Afro-Latin dance and music instruction for people of all ages, levels, and abilities, and is based in Cambridge, MA.

To us, salsa is more than a dance or music style – it’s a way of life. Our devoted team of coaches utilizes a mindfulness-based approach, building strong foundations and developing students’ technique, musical connection, and body awareness skills.

As a small company with a big vision, we realize we can’t do it alone. We also offer a work-study program, where students provide practical help for the team in exchange for discounted classes.