HAVANA PEOPLE SALSA

Salsa and Bachata Classes

Cardiff, Penarth, Newport and Wales

Havana People Salsa Wales are a growing company based in Cardiff and South Glamorgan, teaching Latin social dances of Cuban Salsa and Bachata. They are committed to providing education and authenticity to each of these cultural dances to their customers, not only teaching the “moves” but also the history, passion and musical understanding behind ‘steps’.

OUR GOALS

The Havana People team are extremely proud of their unique and fun teaching methods, and their structured courses are setting the company apart in the Latin social dancing scene in the UK, introducing many new dancers into the scene to stay. We believe in creating a safe and supportive place for all backgrounds and age groups to connect and join our Havana People dance family. Havana People Salsa Wales events are gathering renown for their vibrant and fresh atmosphere often with live Cuban band.

OUR HISTORY

This company is comprised of just two dancers, Mariano De Simone (Italian) who moved to Cardiff to start his dance company dream in 2015, and later joined his dance partner Rhian Saunders (Australian/Welsh) in 2018. Together they own and run the company, including all media marketing, as well as teach all their group and private Salsa and Bachata classes, organise and host their events, perform, present student showcases, and continue to spread the joy of dance.

OUR TEACHERS

RHIAN ELIZABETH SAUNDERS

Salsa and Bachata Dance Performer and Teacher

Rhian Saunders has always had a love for music and dance, she started her journey as a trained opera singer with a Bachelor of Music in her hometown of Sydney, Australia. It was also during this time that she found her passion for dance through group and private Ballroom classes at Inspirations Dance Centre. In 2015 Rhian travelled to Wales to attain a Masters in Advanced Vocal studies at the Welsh International Academy of Voice, over this time in Cardiff she discovered a love for Argentine Tango with maestro Eduardo Bozzo, and found her way to Cuban salsa in 2017 with classes held by De Simone. In 2018 she began intensive training in Cuban salsa with De Simone, working as teachers assistant, and later became co-owner of the company Havana People Salsa Wales with De Simone as business and dance partner, she has also been lucky enough to attend masterclasses with teachers such as Maykel Fonts and Sylvia Chapelli, Yanet Fuentes, Guiseppe Sabatino, Ezgi Zaman, and Brenda Liew, currently she is continuing to work on her dance knowledge and skills and build her dance career as a performing artist in the UK and Europe.

MARIANO DE SIMONE (MARIANO HOMBRE)

Salsa and Bachata Dance Performer and Teacher

Mariano De Simone grew up in a humble part of Naples, Italy, he was lucky enough to discover a passion for Cuban salsa in 2007 when persuaded to accompany a friend to class, since that day De Simone has devoted his life to the perusal of dance and teaching. Since taking classes in 2007 in Cuban salsa, bachata and merengue (Academy de Cuba), he achieved a Diploma in Latin-American Dances, as well as studying cultural dance traditions, Latin leading techniques and license to teach. Over the years he attended many masterclasses with some very famous dancers and teachers such as Maykel Fonts, dance group Dominican Power, Alberto Valdes, Seo Fernandez, and many others. His training also included ballet preparation with Manuela Carrino. His focus turned to Cuban salsa and Afro-Rumba with the master Maykel Fonts and perfected later with Maestro Giuseppe Sabatino. In 2015 De Simone moved to Wales to start his Latin dance company dream “Havana People Salsa Wales” from scratch, and to spread the knowledge and style of Cuban salsa and bachata in the UK. Today he is particularly known for his passion for technique and leading skills which make his classes well sort after. De Simone has committed himself to understanding and exhibiting the true culture and musical interpretation behind Cuban salsa, including Son, Rumba and Guaguanco, this extra layer to his dancing sets him apart from other dancers and teachers in the UK and Europe.

TOP RATED ON GOOGLE

Havana People is top rated on Google with fantastic reviews from all our beloved students and customers.

BEST TEACHING STRUCTURE

Havana People has the best structure for teaching to every kind of learner. Do you learn by watching or by practising? Do you think you have 2 left feet? Doesn’t matter with Havana People you will success 100% OR money back Guarantee!

SHOW AND PERFORMANCE

Havana People offer dance performances or entertainment for your events. Now available ONLINE as well! The team can travel in and across Europe for Show and performances. We offer Online Services for any other request.

COVID UPDATE

Classes have resumed since the pandemic since June 2021, all classes are on a pre-booking basis and drop-in classes are no longer available, but our classes are run as block of 4 or 6 week dance courses. All classes are held in a dance studio in Cardiff, with limited places of attendees and limited partner changes to prevent any Covid outbreaks.

This has proved an effective method to keep our customers and students safe and healthy, as well as the most effective way of learning!

Please note: you do not have to be vaccinated to attend our classes, we simply ask that all students are responsible for their own and others healthy and safety by ad-hearing to the regulations while in the dance studio as well as regular home testing, and are reminded NOT TO ATTEND if they have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 symptoms or diagnosis.