Casual Class
- Per class and for drop ins only
- Valid for one hour of class on Mondays and Thursdays (please see our timetable for more details)
Social Sundays
Our social dancing classes – or our Social Sundays as call it – are open to all levels and are held at Glebe Town hall last Sunday of every month from 1 pm to 3 pm .
They are fun and relaxed the perfect environment for you to try your recently learned steps and feel more confident when you go out social dancing. It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to know your classmates. Don’t miss out!
Sunay
Sunay started dancing Cuban style in 2006 when she moved to London.
On her return to Sydney in 2011, she discovered authentic classes run by Fraudy and since then she has been one of our regular members.
Sunay has been to Cuba six times with our dance holidays, the last one of which was in 2017 with Fraudy, where she had the opportunity to attend group classes as well as taking private lessons from the lead dancers of Ban Rra Rra.
She is our coordinator who handles all business matters for Havana Dance.
Alfredo
Alfredo (Sven) began dancing at the age of nine. His training started in Rock and Roll and Walzer, but was drawn to the Latin styles after a few years, dancing Tango de Salon and Tango Canyengue.
On his first trip to Cuba at an age of 19, Alfredo rediscovered his passion for Latin American Music taking lessons in playing the Bongo and dancing Lambada; he since travelled to Cuba several times.
During the last 10 years, Alfredo has trained and performed in a variety of Cuban and Latin dance styles including Son, Rumba, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Cuban Salsa, Merengue, Bachata Moderna, Dominican Bachata and LA Salsa.
His passion for instructing however started in martial arts, instructing boxing and Tee Kwon Do in Europe and Asia when he was just 20 years old. He was formally trained as salsa instructor in 2010 and has instructed at a number of salsa schools and academies since then. Alfredo has been teaching with Fraudy since 2013 enjoying the traditional Cuban dance styles.
On his trip to Cuba in late 2013, Fraudy introduced him to the talented dancers of Ban Rra Rra and his old instructor Dr Isaias Rojas Ramirez with whom he has done lessons in Rumba, Son and Salsa. On his last trip early 2015, Alfredo has again taking extensive training in traditional Cuban dances focusing on Son and playing the bongos and congas.
Emma
Emma began dancing and performing at an early age. Her dance training started with the classical ballet as well as jazz and tap.
She performed internationally performing in New Zealand, China, the US at Disney World in Florida and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Emma recorded several videos and appeared in television shows in Australia, China, New Zealand and the US.
During the last decade, Emma has trained and performed in a variety of Cuban and Latin dance styles including Cuban Salsa, LA Salsa, Son, Cha-cha-cha, Merengue, Mambo, Rumba, and Dominican Bachata. She has gotten to experience the magic Cuba has to offer twice. Her last trip to Cuba was with Fraudy to learn from the talented dancers at Ban Rra Rra.
Emma was trained as a salsa instructor in early 2010 and has since taught for a number of salsa schools in Sydney. She has been instructing with Fraudy since 2013 and shares his enthusiasm for Cuban music and dance.
Zuley
"La experiencia mas satisfactoria que he tenido cada ano que has venido. Los dance tours con Havana Dance han estado muy bien organizadas, donde tomas en cuenta el tiempo con el que contamos para esa ocasión, también tienes bien establecidos los horarios que son de tus clases y los que son de superación para tus alumnos, con su horario de alimentación y descanso. Incluyes también tiempo para que tus alumnos conozcan además de las clases como es la cultura cubana, en cuanto a su gente a su música, llevando a tus alumnos a los diferentes espacios de la capital donde son visibles estos detalles, siempre vienen alumnos muy disciplinados, muy correctos ,eso quiere decir que eres una persona preparada, que sabes escoger con que personas quieres trabajar. Por parte de los profesores cuentas con un claustro maravilloso, con profesores cubanos muy bien preparados que dominan conocimientos danzarios, graduados de las diferentes escuelas de arte, con más de 20 años de experiencia en el medio; además de utilizar para tus acompañantes a bailarines profesionales con experiencia a la hora de impartir los talleres correspondientes. Muy bien organizados los horarios de las clases, las actividades colaterales, los paseos nocturnos y la clausura de tu curso que queda maravillosamente bien donde estudiantes y profesores tienen la oportunidad de estrechar lazos que sirven después para mejorar el futuro. Por mi parte me siento muy feliz de formar parte del equipo de personas que trabajan con Havana Dance."
Rosa (Professional Translator at Ban Rra Rra)
"When I met Fraudy he was a teenager starting at Ban Rra Rra and even at that age he was very disciplined, responsible and always had a lot of positive energy. His talent was noticed from the very first day by Isaias, the director of Ban Rra Rra who personally guided Fraudy to become a professional dancer.
As a dancer, Fraudy is talented, passionate and professional. He is also an excellent teacher who has a lot of knowledge, patience and great ability to teach.
I have been working as a translator for Ban Rra Rra for many years and during that time I worked with many tours from different countries. But for me, Havana Dance is one of the best I have ever seen. The tour is very well organised and is filled with different dance styles matching to students interests. The classes are fun, well structured and offer great learning environment. At the end of every course, students always feel extremely satisfied.
Another thing that makes Havana Dance unique is that Fraudy always asks for suggestions and feedback from his students as well as the dancers in order to make the tour even better."
Loraine
"I would highly recommend the Havana Dance Academy who provides a passion for delivering excellent customer service.
Fraudy is a fun loving and positive individual teaching students to dance with the natural rhythm of your body to authentic Cuban dance styles and music.
Is is a safe and friendly atmosphere.
Fraudy is a true asset to the dance industry."
FRAUDY MARTIN ESTRADA MEGRET
Fraudy is the Owner/Director of Havana Dance, Sydney's premier dance academy and its Principal Instructor. Fraudy is 100% cubano and brings excitement, passion and professionalism to his classes, events and tours.
His mission is to educate and instill his passion for Cuban culture, music and dance to anyone who wants to have a piece of Cuba in their souls.
Fraudy's Afro-Cuban roots provide a sensual backdrop from which to explore the unique and varied dance styles of Cuba. His raw talent, coupled with years of training and performing make him not only a charismatic and versatile performer and choreographer but also an amazing instructor. Fraudy's attention to detail, style and technique enables individuals to become the best dancers they can be and his patience and encouragement ensures they enjoy the journey. His enthusiasm for dance is contagious and impossible to ignore.
Rumba
One of many Afro-Cuban dance styles in existence, Rumba is a combination of African movement and drumming traditions, and Spanish music. Rumba is thought to originate from the slave populations of Western Cuba in the 19th Century. The music served as an expression of frustration over social and racial inequalities.
There are three main forms of the dance:
Yambú - known as "the old people's Rumba" because of its slow tempo and dance moves that feign frailty.
Guaguancó - a couple dance of sexual competition between the male and female. The female moves seductively to the rhythms, opening and closing her skirt while the male attempts to distract her with his body movements until he is ready to vacunao (vaccinate) her. The female needs to block the vacunao by covering her groin area with her hand.
Columbia - danced by males only, Columbia is fast, energetic, sensual and has acrobatic movements. The dancers express themselves through improvisation.
GET YOUR CUBAN GROOVE ON!
Sick of sitting on the sidelines? The classes, courses and private lessons at Havana Dance will have you out of your chair and dancing all night long!
Choose a class from our action-packed timetable and get ready to wear out your dancing shoes!
Mambo
One of many Afro-Cuban dance styles in existence, Rumba is a combination of African movement and drumming traditions, and Spanish music. Rumba is thought to originate from the slave populations of Western Cuba in the 19th Century. The music served as an expression of frustration over social and racial inequalities.
There are three main forms of the dance:
Yambú - known as "the old people's Rumba" because of its slow tempo and dance moves that feign frailty.
Guaguancó - a couple dance of sexual competition between the male and female. The female moves seductively to the rhythms, opening and closing her skirt while the male attempts to distract her with his body movements until he is ready to vacunao (vaccinate) her. The female needs to block the vacunao by covering her groin area with her hand.
Columbia - danced by males only, Columbia is fast, energetic, sensual and has acrobatic movements. The dancers express themselves through improvisation.
Book for 2 Courses
- Save $ 30
- Available only when attending any 2 courses in the same term
- Registration can be made via email at admin@havanadance.com.au
- Payment via bank transfer or cash on the first day of the term
Book for 3 Courses
- Save $60=> $330 for 3 hours each week for 6 weeks
- Available only when attending any 3 courses in the same term
- Registration can be made via email at admin@havanadance.com.au
- Payment via bank transfer or cash on the first day of the term
For Couples
- Save $30 for two – Only $115 per person.
- For couples registering together in a partnered dance style
- Registration can be made via email at admin@havanadance.com.au
- Payment via bank transfer or cash on the first day of the term
Group Class Single Gift Voucher
Voucher for Group Class that can be used in any offer our courses on offer
Group Class Couple Gift Voucher
Voucher for two that can be used in any offer our courses on offer
Cha Cha Cha
The Cha Cha Cha originated in Cuba in the 1940's. It was developed by musicians and dancers desiring a slowed down version of the Mambo, taking it back to its Danzon roots. Enrique Jorrin is credited with inventing the Cha cha cha in 1951.
There are different theories as to where the term ‘cha cha cha’ comes from. It could be named after the cha cha cha plants from the West Indies whose seed pods are used for making the small musical instruments which are also called ‘cha cha cha’. Or, it could also be from the shuffling sounds made by the feet of dancers to the music.
The Cha Cha Cha is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance. It is characterized as having an upbeat, infectious rhythm, which creates a sense of playfulness and flirtation. The light and bubbly feel of the Cha Cha Cha gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world.
Rueda De Casino
Originating in Havana, Rueda (Spanish for "wheel') is a style of Cuban Salsa where several couples dance in a circle. The dance moves are called by one person, and the couples dance a specific pattern before swapping partners.
Rueda originally comes from the French Contradanza, which was famous in the 18th Century and was very popular at Cuban society balls. Rueda de Casino became a national phenomenon after Rosendo, choreographer and dancer of the “Ballet de la Television Cubana”, presented it in the televising program Para Bailar in 1980.
Minimum two couples are required to dance the Rueda de Casino, but there is no upper limit to how many couples there can be. When dancing Rueda, it is important not to do too many or too complex turns. The leader’s originality can be shown by leading the "wheel" gracefully and creatively, decorating the instructions with expressions or small stories, which make the Rueda a dynamic, vibrant and spicy experience.
Salsa
If Son is the mother and Rumba is the father, then Salsa is the daughter. Salsa is a style of music and dance that fuses elements of Son, with folkloric Cuban and other popular dance/music styles, such as Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, jazz and more recently Timba. The term Salsa was born in the 1960’s as both a generic term to describe the mix of all Cuban music, and because audiences would call out “salsa” to bands and musicians to “spice up” the music.
The music composition of Cuban music in the late 19th century varied according to geographical location. In the East, music was based on a rhythmic progression of simple chords accompanying the improvised words that obeyed the clave. Music in the West, had more of an European influence with the instruments used being similar to those found in French orchestras. The preservation of the orchestral structure, instruments and specialized musicians would later make jazz’s appearance and entrance into Cuban music much easier. When Cuba became an independent colony, all of these geographical differences gradually merged and evolved.
Salsa dancing can either be done as a partner dance, a solo dance, or as a group if dancing Rueda. The dance features a repetitive eight-beat pattern (two bars of four beats). The basic salsa step uses three steps during the first three beats with the fourth beat being skipped. When dancing socially the missing fourth beat is used for doing extra steps for styling purposes.
Cuban Salsa is danced with the knees always bent, a slight forward inclination of the torso, and the torso moving side to side in synch with the feet. The dance patterns feature a circular momentum unlike other styles of salsa such as LA Salsa, which is dance more linearly
Salsa in its diverse variations is the most popular style of dance in the Sydney latin dance scene.
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www.havanadance.com.au
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