Instructors Jen & Orlando Martinez
Jennifer and Orlando Martínez Kindelán have been dancing together for over 6 years. Jen got her first taste of salsa when she went to Cuba to learn Spanish in 2001. Later she returned to Havana's Instituto Superior de Arte, and during her 8 month stay, she studied Cuban casino-style salsa and other popular dances in greater depth, while attending the top arts university in Cuba. She then returned to Edmonton where she has been performing and teaching Cuban Salsa and Rueda de Casino for the past 5 years.
Orlando Martínez Kindelán began dancing in various dance groups throughout primary and secondary school in Santiágo de Cuba. At 12 years old he was sought after by the National Arts School. In 1998 Orlando moved to Havana to find work, first as a dancer in the Tony Menéndez dance company where he performed in several important events, such as the Lucas Awards in 2001.
Next, he became a founding dancer and choreographer of Proyecto Azul (Project Blue) professional dance company in 2003. During his time in Proyecto Azul, Orlando has won several awards performing in festivals and events throughout Cuba, including the award for “best male performance” at the ELSINOR gala in 2005, the most important and prestigious competition hosted by the National Arts School.
In addition, Orlando has been invited by international tour operators, such as Paradiso, Plaza Cuba and Vía Danza, to be a guest instructor for foreign students who come to Cuba to learn authentic, traditional Cuban dances. Orlando has taught Casino-style Salsa, Rueda, Salsa Suelta, Son, Rumba, Mambo and Cha Cha Cha to these groups, and to private clients, with impressive results.
In January 2007 Orlando moved to Edmonton, and together with his wife, they opened FiestaCubana Dance School in May 2007. Jen & Orlando have enjoyed continued success, inspiring many students to learn a variety of popular and traditional dances from Cuba. They regularly perform at various restaurants, events and bars, delighting audiences with their high-energy "animation" - Orlando specializes in getting a crowd on their feet! They have performed and taught countless workshops in Saskatoon, Regina, Fort MacMurray, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Winnipeg, Calgary and Victoria as well Mexico and the United Kingdom.
In 2009, Jen & Orlando first organized and led a group of 20 dance students on an intense week of cultural immersion and dance in Cuba, which resulted in wonderful feedback. This encouraged them to host their unique dance trip,"FiestaCubana in Havana", on a regular basis, so that many others may have the chance to experience what it's like to fall in love with a culture, their people, their music and their dance!