AFRO-CUBAN MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE

Zela Africa Gayle leads a class in Afro-Cuban Modern Dance Technique.

Thursday 30th September 7.30-9pm.

PLEASE COME FOR REGISTRATION AT 7PM.

This class explores a technique practised widely in Cuba with a vocabulary reflecting the study of African based dances of Cuba, merged with a fusion of ballet and contemporary dance. In this class Zela focuses on the exploration of how these forms speak to each other as one. Zela will lead a class of movements deriving from Yoruba dance traditions whilst at the same time giving the participant grounding in “La Tecnica Cubana”. La Tecnica Cubana is a form of dance known as a highly evolved hybrid of dance forms put together. Class not suitable for beginners.

Cost £10 annual registration fee and £5 for class thereafter. Non members pay £8.
Students & unemployed pay £3 for class - proof of status required.
To book a place on this workshop please email
Paula Allen: paula_adad@danceuk.org or phone: 07792236583 www.myspace.com/feedback33

Venue: The London Studio Centre, 42-50 York Way, London N1 9AB

FEEDBACK33 TEACHERS' BIOGRAPHY
Zela has currently been teaching Afro-Cuban Modern dance to BA Performing Arts students at The University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zela’s work as a choreographer takes the richness of this form which combines West African rhythms with rigorous travelling sequences to energise and strengthen the dancing body.

Zela Gayle began dancing at the age of 5 in Jamaica, learning Afro-Caribbean dance as well as classical ballet. At the age of 7 Zela moved to London and trained as a competitive gymnast. She began her training in Contemporary and Jazz dance at WAC Performing Arts and Media College and gained a BA Honors degree in Dance Studies at Winchester University. In 2004 after working with several youth groups in the UK; Zela joined Danza Libre Company in Cuba to launch her professional dance career focusing on Afro-Cuban dance forms.

Establishing herself as an international artist, her experience includes choreography for Crystal Lights Dance Academy in St. Lucia, Edna Manley School in Jamaica, Cuban-Modern Dance at Addis Ababa University and workshops in choreography at the University of Arts and University of Winchester in the UK.

Zela’s professional development has included working with Bonnie Oddie (UK), Patsy Ricketts (J.A), Sheron Wray (USA), Jackie Guy (UK), Alfredo Velasquez (CU) and Maya Yoshida (JPN).

Zela draws from a wide range of influences such as; traditional Afro-Cuban dance, reggae modern dance and improvisational techniques. Zela teaches dance worldwide, performing and choreographing internationally.