Our People
At the Acosta Dance Centre, our devoted team is committed to delivering an unparalleled dance experience tailored to your aspirations. They operates tirelessly to provide you with the finest dance services in London. We are a collective of dedicated individuals who share a common goal: to offer nothing less than exceptional quality, ensuring that your journey with us is marked by unparalleled growth, creativity, and artistic fulfillment.
OUR PEOPLE
CARLOS ACOSTA
Founder
From Cuba, Carlos Acosta is the Founder & Chairman of the Acosta Dance Foundation. He has been described as the best male ballet dancer of his generation. He achieved the gold medal at the Prix deLausanne at 16. Since then, he has thrilled ballet audiences worldwide with his performances with leading ballet companies. He performed with the Royal Ballet in London until 2016, when he retired from classical ballet. He has set up his own dance company called Acosta Danza, which performs all around the globe. Since the creation of the Foundation in 2011, he has aimed to create a legacy for generations to come and a platform to be an international reference for dance. Carlos is a father and a husband. He loves returning to his natal Cuba whenever he needs to cut the greyness of the European winters.
JAVIER TORRES
Managing Director
From Cuba, Javier is considered one of the best Cuban dancers of his generation. His transition from Premier Dancer at the Cuban National Ballet and Northern Ballet to Managing Director at ADC showcases his exceptional talent and business acumen. As Managing Director, Javier oversees strategy, planning, and all artistic and business aspects of ADC, leveraging his expertise in dance and business for the center's success.
VICTOR FRANCIS
Venue Manager
Victor with a background in accounting but a passion for business management, embarked on his professional journey after completing his studies. His career unfolded at a burgeoning furniture company, here he assumed the role of office manager. In this dynamic environment, Victor embraced a multi-disciplinary role, requiring hands-on involvement across various departments, including marketing and IT. Driven by a keen eye for opportunities and a love for the cultural movement, Victor encountered the vibrant atmosphere at ADC, a local organisation. Captivated by the prospect of contributing to this new and dynamic entity, he eagerly joined ADC, aspiring to be an integral part of its growth and success.
LUDOVIC ONDIVIELA
AATH Artistic Lead
Bio cominig soon.
NAURIS BUKSEVICS
Content Creator and Social Media Engagement Officer
Nauris founded Poetry Film Productions in London in 2015 after graduating from Brighton Metropolitan College in film production. Exploring contemporary arts, athletics, and movement through digital film, he specialized in content creation spanning photography and videography. His freelance work encompassed documentaries, short films, dance, music videos, and promotional content. His production company garnered acclaim for collaborations with prestigious entities like London Fashion Week, Ballet Black, Rambert Dance, and more. Growing up in Latvia during significant cultural shifts, he relocated to England in 2010, embracing diverse cultures that heavily influenced his artistry. Currently, as the Communication and Media Engagement Officer at the Acosta Dance Foundation and Centre, he endeavors to expand their outreach through innovative strategies, marking a pivotal moment in his journey within the dynamic dance community.
JERICHO PADRINAO
Front of House
Jericho Padrinao serves as our Front of House Officer, dedicated to ensuring exceptional experiences for all students, customers, and visitors. With a passion for aiding others, Jericho takes pride in ensuring everyone feels welcomed and well-cared for within our establishment. Involved in multiple volunteering communities whilst studying at Anglia Ruskin University, Jericho has worked in vital community research projects surrounding inequalities and sustainability, partnered with Cambridgeshire County Council and other British non-profit organizations. And after graduating, leaving his roles as a Student Intern and Student Employability Ambassador, he continues to explore further opportunities in his career, carrying those same values of knowledge exchange and people-centric experience into our foundation. His commitment to hospitality and his caring demeanor make him an invaluable member of our team, dedicated to ensuring a warm and hospitable environment for all.
JULIETTE LEE
Development Officer
After graduating with a degree in Politics & Spanish at the University of Bristol, Juliette was selected to be part of the competitive Charityworks graduate scheme, designed to grow leadership talnt and fill skills gaps in the non-profit sector. Through this she was employed as People & Development Assistant at Poplar HARCA, an award-winning social housing association in Tower Hamlets.
Despite having spent most of her life living on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, she credits her passion for Latin and Afro-Latin music and dance to the 4 years she lived in The Dominican Republic. In her final year of university, she was elected as President of the Student Union’s Salsa Society.
In her role as Development Officer, she will have responsibilities across the breadth of fundraising with a key role in developing and maintaining strong relationships with new and current donors, as well as developing a variety of fundraising initiatives.
Our Teachers
Rocky
Ballroom and Lating Dance
JOSE AGUDO
Flamenco
Diana Conti
Ballet
Denzil Baylie
Ballet
Aleth Berenice
Martha Graham Floor work
Simon Atkinson
Ropeflow/Capoeira
Luanda PAU
Folklore/Orishas/Salsa
Karianne Kvalen
Yoga
EMMA FLEET
Flamenco
Dmitri Gruzdev
Ballet
Kim Amundsen
Ballet
Ludovic Ondiviela
Ballet
Yami Prado
Women Style
Maikel Mota
Salsa
Iole La Sala
Contemporary
Yosvani Ramos
Ballet
Yasser D'Oquendo
Contemporary
Lucy Banfield
Jazz
Roland Price
Ballet
Neema Mwande
Amapiano/Afrobeats
Damaris Farres
Style/Son
Laura Rodrigues
Ballet
Mario Elias
Ballet Yoga
Veronica Corveas
Ballet
Melissa Rayne
Impro
