The Asere Social Club Master Class Workshop Series
Saturday, September 12, 2026
$35 per class
Space is limited to 30 per class.
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Percussion | Brenda Navarette
Participants must bring their own percussion instrument for this class.
Extraordinary percussion workshop unlike any other, led by Havana-born singer, percussionist, composer, and bandleader Brenda Navarrete, one of the most prominent percussionists in contemporary Cuban music and a rising international star who has redefined what is possible at the intersection of Afro-Cuban tradition and modern artistry. Born in 1991, Brenda set her sights on percussion at age nine, going on to graduate from Cuba’s prestigious Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory in 2009 with accreditations as an instrumentalist, ensemble performer, and percussion instructor. She first gained wide attention as a percussionist with Obini Batá; Cuba’s groundbreaking all-female Afro-Cuban drumming and dance ensemble, a group that shattered centuries-old barriers by placing women at the sacred center of batá percussion, before joining the internationally acclaimed band Interactivo. In 2010, Brenda won first prize in the batá drum category at Cuba’s prestigious Fiesta del Tambor festival for best interpretation by a female artist, cementing her place as one of the few women to master the batá at a professional level. Renowned for her mastery of the batá drums and her ability to fuse Afro-Cuban tradition with jazz, rumba, and global sounds, Brenda brings to this workshop the full fire of her training, her artistry, and her mission to defend and elevate the living traditions of Cuban music for generations to come. Whether you are new to percussion or a seasoned player, this workshop is a celebration of rhythm, spirit, and the unstoppable power of the drum.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Orisa Dance with Emilio Hernandez
Join world-renowned Master Choreographer and Dancer Emilio Hernández González for an immersive and transformative Afro-Cuban Orisa dance class that connects movement, spirit, and culture in a powerful celebration of West African and Cuban heritage. Born in Havana, Cuba, Emilio is celebrated as the former principal male dancer and choreographer of Raíces Profundas, one of Havana’s most acclaimed folkloric dance companies, founded in 1975 and considered one of the most authentic ensembles in the Afro-Cuban folkloric tradition performing today. A recipient of the prestigious Ramiro Guerra 2016 Prize for best interpretation of folkloric dance and the UNEAC National Choreography Prize in 2019, Emilio has served as a judge and master teacher at international festivals across Ecuador, Chile, México, France, and the United States. Drawing from the sacred traditions of the Yoruba people, this class explores the distinct rhythms, gestures, and energy of the Orisas; the divine spirits honored through dance in the Afro-Cuban Lucumí tradition. Under Emilio’s expert guidance, students of all levels will learn authentic choreography rooted in devotion and storytelling, moving through the characteristic footwork, body isolations, and expressive sequences that embody each Orisa’s unique essence. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or taking your first steps onto the dance floor, this class offers a deeply enriching experience that honors ancestral wisdom while awakening creativity, strength, and joy through movement.
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Cuban Son Dance with Marisol Blanco.
Step into the vibrant world of Afro-Cuban popular dance with Master Teacher, Choreographer, and Performer Marisol Blanco, whose artistry bridges the sacred and the social in the most joyful of ways. Born in Guanabacoa, Cuba, Marisol was immersed in Cuban culture from the age of six, training at Cuba’s prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) as a professional dancer before going on to serve as a dance teacher and choreographer there. She also became a member of Obini Bata Cuba’s groundbreaking first all-female drumming, singing, and dance ensemble, where she learned bata, the syncopated ritual drumming style traditionally reserved only for men, earning her recognition as one of the best-known folklore teachers in the world today. Bringing over 28 years of artistic teaching experience to every class, Marisol shines the spotlight on Son the rhythmic heartbeat of Cuba’s popular dance culture guiding students through its characteristic hip sways, footwork patterns, and playful partner dynamics that have captivated dancers across the world for over a century. Drawing from her deep expertise in both folkloric and popular Cuban dance forms, Marisol creates a space where culture comes alive through movement, inviting dancers of all backgrounds to connect with the irresistible spirit of Cuba.
