Manuel Suarez

Manuel Suarez is a performer, teacher, choreographer, and director of Cuban styles of music and dance. He began studying music at the ‘Escuela de Arte’ in Cuba at six years old, at the age of ten, he began to study dance technique via modern dance as well as folkloric and Cuban popular dance. After high school, he continued dance and music studies at the Universidad Pedagógica. It was during this time that Manuel had the opportunity to perform, instruct, and create choreography and music for some of the most renowned national and international festivals held in as well as outside of Cuba. He also had the opportunity to be part of a different music and dance troops which resulted in the participation of a myriad of festivals, such as Festival de la Danza Folclórica, Weimilere, and other international festivals in Spain, Italy, Denmark, and others. Manuel was born in Oriente, Cuba. He moved to Havana where he continued his dance education and studied at the Universidad de la Habana. In 1998, he founded his own dance and music company, 7 Potencias where he was the artistic director. Since coming to the USA in 2000, he has continued his art through teaching and performing both nationally and internationally. Manuel has been teaching Cuban styles in numerous universities, cultural centers, schools and dance studios such as University of California at Berkeley, Sacramento State University, San Francisco State University, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, Berkeley High School, Alice Arts Center, No Sweat Dance Studio and many others outside of the Bay Area.