WHO'S WHO IN MALPASO PRODUCTION
FERNANDO SÁEZ (Founder/Executive Director) graduated from the School of Performing Arts at the Superior Institute of Arts (ISA) in Havana in 1988. He is also a founder and actor of Estudio Teatral de Santa Clara, was the head of the Sociocultural Development Project in Las Terrazas, Pinar del Rio from 1993 to 1997, and he served on the staff of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba since 1998 to 2014. He is also a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
OSNEL DELGADO (Founder/Artistic Director/Dancer) danced with Danza Contemporanea de Cuba from 2003 to 2011, before founding Malpaso. He has worked with choreographers Mats Ek, Rafael Bonachela, Kenneth Kvarnström, Ja Linkens, Itzik Galili, Samir Akika, Pedro Ruiz, Isidro Rolando and George Cespedes, among others. Delgado has created works for DCC, Rakatan and Ebony Dance of Cuba. Delgado is a 2003 graduate of the National Dance School of Havana, where he is also a professor of dance studies.
DAILEIDYS CARRAZANA (Associate Artistic Director/Co-Fouder) graduated from the National Ballet School of Havana in 2003. She was a member of Danza Contemporánea de Cuba from 2003 to 2011, before founding Malpaso with Osnel Delgado and Fernando Saez. Daileidys has worked with choreographers such as Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams, Jan Linkens, Samir Akika, Pedro Ruiz, Isidro Rolando, Aszure Barton, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Ron K. Brown, among others. She has created choreographic works for her company Malpaso and for students of Toronto Metropolitan University. She has collaborated with different musicians: Lullaby for Insomnia with Jordi Sabatés (Barcelona) and in the piece Habanera with Miguel Núñez (Cuba).
DIANA ROSA HERNANDEZ (Stage Manager) graduated from the National School of Arts with a degree in acting in 2008. She is a member of Teatro Espontáneo de La Habana. Hernandez worked in the HavanaBama collaboration between the University of Alabama and Cuba. Since she joined Malpaso in March 2014, she has worked with choreographers such as Ron K. Brown, Trey McIntyre, Aszure Barton, Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, Ephrat Asherie and among others. Diana Has worked also as lighting designers such as Al Crawford, Manuel Da Silva, Nicole Pearce, Burke Brown and Ellen Ruge.
MANUEL DA SILVA (Lighting Supervisor), was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in South Florida where he developed a passion for theatre and the arts at a young age. Manuel attended The University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he received his BFA in Lighting Design and Technology. Now an NYC based lighting designer, Manuel has had the chance to work with several Off-Broadway theatre companies, including designing the world premiere of La Tía Julia y el Escribidor at El Repertorio Español. Manuel has also had the opportunity to display his work at the Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review and the National Design Showcase East.
DAILYS BACALLAO (Ballet Master) graduated from the National Ballet School in 2007, and the Superior Institute of Arts in Havana as a ballet teacher in 2015. She was a dancer of Matanza's city contemporary dance company Danza Espiral from 2008 to 2014. She was a professor at the National Ballet School and is currently a teacher at the Superior Institute of Arts in Havana.
MERCEDES PIEDRA (Ballet Master) graduated from the National Ballet School in 1999, Havana, Cuba. Dancer at the National Ballet of Cuba from 1999 to 2020. Teacher of the National Ballet School from 2019 to 2022. She joined Malpaso in 2022.
ASZURE BARTON (Choreographer, "Indomitable Waltz") has collaborated with celebrated dancers and companies including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Misty Copeland, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet, Martha Graham Dance
Company, National Ballet of Canada, Nederlands Dans Theater, Sydney Dance Company, and Teatro alla Scala, among many others. She is a Bessie Award Honoree and has received numerous honors including the prestigious Arts & Letters Award, joining the ranks of Oscar Peterson, Karen Kain, and Margaret Atwood. She was the first Martha Duffy resident artist at the Baryshnikov Arts Center and is an official ambassador of contemporary dance in Canada. She is the founder of Aszure Barton & Artists, an interdisciplinary international dance project.
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JOYCE THEATER PRODUCTIONS (JTP) is the in-house producing entity for The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc., formed to create original work for The Joyce’s stage and for worldwide touring. The initiative provides dance artists who have little or no formal management or infrastructure the means to create productions of the highest standards of excellence. The program also includes the Associate Company model, offering sustained producing, fiscal and/ or administrative management to companies that may require short or longer term support. Originally founded in partnership with Sunny Artist Management, Inc. (SAM) in 2014, JTP has since supported projects with Daniil Simkin, Wendy Whelan/Brian Brooks, Arthur Pita/James Whiteside, Maria Kochetkova, Caleb Teicher, Alexei Ratmansky, Molissa Fenley, and L.A. Dance Project, and maintains and ongoing relationship with Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company.
DANCERS
ESTEBAN AGUILAR (Dancer) studied dance at ISA (Superior Institute of Arts)'s Faculty of Dance and was a member of Danza Fragmentada Company (2002-2014) before joining Malpaso in February 2016. He has worked with choreographers like Aszure Barton, Osnel Delgado, Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams, Aszure Barton, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Ron K. Brown, Daile Carrazana, Ephrat Asherie, among others.
DAYRON DOMINGUEZ (Dancer) graduated from EduardoAbela Elemental Art School in San Antonio de Los Banos and from the National Dance School in Havana Cuba in 2022. He joined Malpaso Dance Company upon graduation.
ARLET AMANDA FERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ (Dancer) graduated from the Vocational School of Art in Santa Clara and from the National School of Art (ENA). Member of Contemporary Dance of Cuba from 2016 to 2022, where she worked with choreographers such as Theo Clinkard, Anabel López Ochoa, George Céspedes, Julio César Iglesias, among others. With the company she performed both in Cuba and abroad.
ESVEN GONZALEZ (Dancer) graduated from the National School of Dance in 2014. In September of that same year he joined Danza Contemporánea de Cuba company. He has worked with choreographers such as Theo Clinkard, Anabell López Ochoa, Lea Anderson, George Cespedes, among others. He has toured nationwide and abroad in countries and organizations such the City Center in New York, National Auditorium in Mexico, La Maison de Lyon in France, as well as various venues in Great Britain, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.
AMAYA JUSTIZ ROBERT (Musician) graduated as cellist and teacher from the Conservatory of Music Amadeo Roldán and the Higher Institute of Art (ISA). As director and founder of the ALMA String Quartet, she has been part of the La Ruta de Mozart festival in all its editions, at the Mozart Havana festival and in various concerts at the Basilica of the San Francisco de Asís convent. She participated in the commemoration of the National Liberation Day from slaver in Guadeloupe (French Island) invited by the government of the region. She has
also performed in Brasil as part of the Sao Paolo-Havana Ensemble project conducted by Maestra Daiana Garcia. She currently collaborates with the Ediciones Espiral Eterna office which highlights the recording of Leo Brouwer’s three compositions for string quartet and guitar together with French guitarist Lazhar Cherouana. She has been part of other groups such as the Amado Mozart quartet conducted by violinist Michael Dabroski. She has played with the orchestra of the Lyceum of Havana, the Soloists Orchestra of Havana, and Habana XXI Ensemble. She is currently the 1st cello of the Havana Chamber Orchestra directed by Maestra Daiana García, performing in different venues and important festivals such as Habana Clásica and Jazz Plaza, while accompanying internationals artists such as Linus Roth, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Willem Stam, and Kinan Azmeh. She has actively collaborates with the Camerata Romeu directed by Maestra Zenaida Romeu. She is a teacher at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, and at the Paulita Concepcion Elementary Music School.
LIZ MARIAN LORENZO (Dancer) graduated from the Alfonso Pérez Isaac Art School of Matanzas and the National Dance School Fernando Alonso in 2022. An award-winning student in international competitions, Liz performed works in the repertoire of the National Ballet of Cuba by Alicia Alonso, Ramona de Saa, and Ely Regina Hernandez, Numa. She joined Malpaso Dance Company in 2022.
LAURA RODRIGUEZ (Dancer) graduated from the Vocational Dance School Benny Moré in Cienfuegos in 2014 and from the National Dance School in Havana in 2018. She joined Danza Contemporánea de Cuba in 2017 where she danced works by choreographers such as George Cespedes, Yoerlis Brunet, Billy Cowie, Christopher Beranger, among others. She joined Malpaso Dance Company in 2023.
ILIANA SOLIS (Dancer) is a dancer and dance teacher who graduated from Raul Gomez García Art School in Holguín, Cuba. She was a member of Codanza Dance Company from 2006 to 2013. From 2006 to 2008 she also worked as professor at José Martí Pérez Arts Instructors School. She joined Danza Contemporánea de Cuba in 2015. She became a member of Malpaso Dance Company in 2019. Ileana has worked with choreographers such as Theo Clinkard, Billy Cowie, Lea Anderson, Fleur Darken and Anabel López Ochoa, among others.
JENNIFER SUAREZ RAMOS (Dancer), graduated from the Acosta Danza Academy where she worked with choreographers such as Jorge Crecis, Pontus Lidberg, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Goyo Montero. She has performed in theaters and events both in Cuba and abroad including the Holland Dance Festival, Venice Biennale, Budapest Dance Festival, and The Royal Ballet.
CARLOS VALLADARES (Dancer) graduated from the Samuel Feijó Professional School of Art in Santa Clara in 2017 and from the Acosta Danza School in 2022, where he danced works from the company's repertoire created by the choreographers Alexis Fernández and Raúl Reynoso. He joins Malpaso in November 2022. He has danced works by choreographers such Ohad Naharin, Aszure Barton, Osnel Delgado, and Ron K. Brown.
GRETA YERO ORTIZ (Dancer) graduated from the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School in 2017. She also received training at the Ruth Page Center and Quenedit Ballet School in the United States. In the same year of her graduation, she was part of the National Ballet of Cuba, where she assumed various relevant roles. She joins Malpaso in 2022.She has danced works by choreographers such Ohad Naharin, Daile Carrazana, and Osnel Delgado. Artist and choreographer
ALDO LÓPEZ-GAVILÁN (Composer/Pianist) is a Cuban pianist and composer whose exceptional talent, innovative compositions, and captivating performances have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Born on December 20, 1979, in Havana, Cuba, López Gavilán's musical journey began early, and his profound connection to the piano and composition became evident from a young age.
His formal musical education was nurtured in prestigious institutions. He commenced his studies at theManuel Saumell and Amadeo Roldán conservatories, where he honed his technical prowess and developed a deep understanding of classical music's nuances. López Gavilán's thirst for musical exploration led him to the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music in London, England, where he further refined his craft and expanded his horizons.
Early in his career, López-Gavilán's prodigious talent gained international recognition. He emerged as a laureate in over a dozen international competitions, showcasing his extraordinary skills as a pianist and composer. Notably, his debut album "En el ocaso de la hormiga y el elefante" captured the prestigiousCubadisco Award in 2000, a testament to his innovative approach to music that seamlessly melded diverse influences. López-Gavilán's ability to traverse genres is a hallmark of his artistry. Drawing inspiration from his Cuban roots, he masterfully weaves elements of jazz fusion into his compositions, creating a unique and captivating musical tapestry. This fusion of genres is not merely a stylistic choice but a reflection of his diverse musical palette and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional music.
As a pianist, López-Gavilán's accomplishments are equally impressive. He captured top honors at esteemed competitions such as the Trinity College of Music Piano Competition in England and the International Piano Competition for Spanish Composers sponsored by SGAE in Spain. His interpretations of both classical and contemporary pieces have consistently captivated audiences and judges alike, showcasing his remarkable versatility and profound emotional expression.
In 2002, López-Gavilán's exceptional talent reached a pinnacle when he won the First Prize in the Soloist Competition at the International Piano Competition organized by Trinity College in London. His rendition of Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Institution under the baton of Peter Stark, solidified his status as a pianist of exceptional caliber.
Throughout his career, López-Gavilán has collaborated with esteemed conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Ken-David Masur, Piotr Gajewski, Michael Francis, Scott Speck, Michael Butterman, Joel Revzen, Jonathan Darlington, Josep Caballé-Domenech, Brett Mitchell, James Ross, Sebrina Alfonso, Steven Sanders, and Anna Wittstruck. These partnerships have brought his compositions to life and allowed him to showcase his versatility as a musician.
He has also collaborated with various orchestras, including the Chicago Philharmonic, The Florida Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, The National Philharmonic, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, Central Texas Philharmonic, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Orchestra, Festival Orchestra Napa, Williamsburg Symphony, Mobile Symphony Orchestra, and Tahoe Classical Orchestra. López-Gavilán has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Kennedy Center, and the Kreeger Museum in Washington, DC. His artistry has also been appreciated by audiences at the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, and Seattle’s Benaroya Hall.
Aldo López-Gavilán stands as a paragon of musical excellence, whose contributions as a pianist and composer continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and his innovative spirit ensures that his legacy will endure for generations to come.
ILMAR GAVILÁN (Composer/Violinist) a native of Havana, Cuba has had a remarkable performing career that has taken him all over the world. This fascinating journey ranges from performing for world leaders such as President Obama at the White House and Queen Sofia of Spain at The Royal Palace of Madrid to performing with top stature artists of diverse styles such as Itzhak Perlman and Chick Corea.
As a soloist, Mr. Gavilán has performed violin concertos with the Atlanta, New Jersey, Baltimore, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Hartford, Nashville, Ann Arbor, Santa Monica, Phoenix, Denver, Louisiana, Anchorage, Santa Fe, Havana, Mexico City, and Venezuela Symphonies and played recitals in England, Russia, Spain, and Portugal. Mr. Gavilán performed Urban Legends by Michael Ables for String Quartet and Orchestra with the New York Philharmonic as the first violinist of the Harlem Quartet. Mr. Gavilán won first prize at the Sphinx competition, as well as top honors at the Lipinsky-Wieniaswsky and the Henryk Szeryng International violin competitions.
An avid chamber musician, Mr. Gavilán has performed with Itzhak Perlman, Arnold Steinhardt, Ida Kavafian, Carter Brey, Paul Katz, Fred Sherry, Anthony McGill, and Misha Dicter. Mr. Gavilán has participated in numerous chamber music festivals including Tanglewood, Ravinia, and Angel Fire.
Currently, a violin faculty at Manhattan School of music and Montclair State University, Mr. Gavilán is engaged in a visiting residency at The Royal College of Music in London as the first violinist of the Harlem Quartet and a full-time residency position at Montclair State University. Mr. Gavilán is an experienced educator, having taught for six years at Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program.
Ilmar Gavilán studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. Through the personal recommendation and royal scholarship of Queen Sofia of Spain, studies took him to the Reina Sofia School of Music in Spain where he studied with Zakhar Bron. In addition, Mr. Gavilán received private lessons from legendary Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern and Ruggiero Ricci. Later studies brought Mr. Gavilán to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he studied with Glenn Dicterow and received his Master’s Degree. Mr. Gavilán was awarded a Graduate Diploma in Quartet Performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston. His mentors there included Donald Weilerstein and Miriam Fried. Mr. Gavilán completed his Doctor in Musical Arts Diploma from Rutgers University under the mentorship of Arnold Steinhardt.
Alongside his accomplished classical music career, Mr. Gavilán also performed and commercially released albums with Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Paquito D’Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, and Dafnis Prieto. Other Jazz collaborations include performing with Stanley Clark, John Patitucci, Lee Konitz, Henry Threadgill, and Doc Severinsen. The collaboration with Jazz legends Chick Corea and Gary Burton rendered earned him a Grammy for the recording of the Hot House album as a member of the Harlem Quartet. Mr. Gavilán's U.S. Solo recording debut Aires y Leyendas, and Por el mar featuring music composed by his father Guido Lopez-Gavilan including a violin concerto dedicated to him, are available on Amazon and iTunes. His latest solo album Brothers features his brother Aldo Lopez-Gavilan. Ilmar and his brother Aldo, a world-class pianist and composer, were presented by Carnegie Hall in the featured PBS documentary Los Hermanos/The Bothers http://www.patchworksfilms.net/the-brothers
CAROLINA BANOS GOMEZ (Musician) is a piano graduate from the National School of Music where she was a student of Maestra Rosalía Capote and student of Composition at the University of the Arts under the tutelage of Maestro Juan Piñera. She is currently studying the Diploma in Sacred Music offered by the Padre Félix Varela Cultural Center. She won the Second Prize and Mention for the Interpretation of the Latin American Work in the Amadeo Roldán National Piano Competition 2016; the First Prize and Prize for the Best Interpretation of the Catalan Work at the María Clara Cullell International Piano Competition 2017 in Costa Rica; and the Second Prize and the Special Recognition for the creation of an original repertoire for the format in the Interpretation modality, Formats/Ensembles category and the Composition Prize in the Instrument category in the Musicalia 2021 Contest. She has played
concerts at the San Felipe Neri Oratory, at the José White Hall in Matanzas with the National Art School Chamber Orchestra. She has worked as soloist and accompanist pianist, singer and choir director, arranger, composer and in various popular music and chamber music projects, as well as projects linking music and contemporary dance and audiovisuals. She participated in the composition of the soundtrack of the film Machetera by the Las Tunas director Yanet Pavón. She is currently a member of the alternative music group KIALO as a pianist and arranger and member of the Vox Cordis choir.
YOSMARA CASTANEDA VALDES (Musician) graduated from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music as Violinist and from the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) in the Viola player, she has collaborated with national and foreign artists. She has performed in Mexico, Venezuela, China and the United States with different ensembles such as Grupo Frasis, Amigos del Buena Vista Social Club and Arslonga. She taught classes at the Alejandro Garcia Caturla School of Music and at Elementary Schools of Music Manuel Saumell and Amadeo Roldan. Currently she is member of different orchestras such as the "Havana Chamber Orchestra" directed by Maestra Daiana García, the "Música Eterna" Chamber Orchestra directed by Maestro Guido LopezGavilán, "Camerata Romeu" directed by Zenaida Castro Romeu, Emsemble CANTABILE, and ALMA String Quartet.
CAMILA CRESPO RAMIREZ (Musician) graduated from Guillermo Tomás Conservatory of Music and graduate in music from University of the Arts (ISA) in the specialty of violin (2020). She was part of the Autumn Course of the Transatlantic Orchestra of the Youth Academy Cuban-European in Germany (2023). She worked in the Havana Soloists Ensemble Orchestra. She currently is member of the Alma String Quartet since 2018, performing at events such as the annual editions of La Ruta de Mozart at the Mozart-Havana Festival. She has collaborated with the Espiral Eterna Editions Office of Maestro Leo Brouwer interpreting and recording his works. In 2022, she participated in the celebrations for the liberation of slavery in Guadeloupe (French Island). She has collaborated with the Malpaso Dance Company, performing at events such as the Jazz Plaza Festival 2024. She teaches violin at the Paulita Concepción School of Music since 2021. She works as a concertmaster at the Camerata Romeu String Orchestra from 2022, conducted by Maestra Zenaida Romeu , performing at different events such as the Habana Clásica Festival 2022 and in the 43rd edition of the Latin American International New Cinema Festival.
LILIET SILVA CARMENATES (Musician) graduated from the National School of Music and graduated in music from the University of the Arts (ISA) in the specialty of violin (2023). She participated as assistant to concertmaster Aitor Hevia in the closing concerts of the XXXI International Music Course of Llanes, Spain (2018). She has been a member of the Alma String Quartet since 2023 where she has been collaborating with Maestro Leo Brouwer's Ediciones Espiral Eterna Office, performing and recording his works written for this format. She has collaborated with the Malpaso Dance Company since 2020, including the Jazz Plaza 2024 Festival. She is currently part of the “La Camerata Romeu” String Orchestra directed by Maestra Zenaida Romeu. Since 2019, she's been performing at different events such as the 49th edition of the Cervantino International Festival in Mexico (2020), Habana Clásica Festival (2022) and the 43rd edition of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema. She has recorded with the Camerata Romeu the album Libertango.