I was born and raised in Guanabacoa, Cuba.  I started dancing when I was 7 yrs. old w/ Afro-Cuban folkloric groups in my city including: Cumballe and Oba Ilu (both directed by the founder of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional- Oriol Bustamante).  I joined "Raices Profundas", one of Cuba's most esteemed folkloric companies in 1988 and danced with them for 9 years- rising to the position of lead male soloist and touring Asia, South and Central America .  I now live in the U.S. and direct my own Afro-Cuban Dance Company, Omo Ache.  I teach all forms of Cuban dance:  Afro-Cuban (Yoruba, Arara, Congo, Franco-Haitian, Cuban Popular (Son, Casino, Mambo & ChaChaCha) and Cuban traditional (Comparsa & Rumba: Guaguanco, Columbia & Yambu).

Occupation:
Dancer, Percussionist, Choreographer, Instructor, Cultural Ethnographer

Company:
Omo Ache Afro-Cuban Dance Co.

Website URL:
www.myspace.com/omoache

AIM username:
Juan Carlos Blanco

Interests and hobbies:
to make things grow

I would like to meet:
People who are interested in learning more about my culture- Cuban music and dance.

Status:
Married

Ethnicity:
Black/African descent

Education:
No answer