Oscar Rousseux
A graduate of Cuba’s prestigious National School of Art Instructors, OSCAR ROUSSEAUX was recognized early in his career as one of Cuba’s leading cultural promoters, a talented teacher, and a gifted performer. After dancing for five years with Compañía Folklórica Cubana JJ , one of Cuba’s premiere folklore troupes, Rousseaux left Cuba in 1997. Since then, he has traveled across the Americas and to various European countries, perfecting his art, mastering the traditional batá drum, and developing a subtle awareness of the folkloric roots common to all Latin American and Caribbean countries. After arriving in Washington D.C. in September 2003, Rousseaux rapidly incorporated himself into the local arts scene, drawing attention not only for his energetic and invigorating classes but also for his colorful, engaging choreographies and his charismatic performances. He has received kudos for his work as Director and Choreographer of ALAFIA Dance & Drum, the folkloric ensemble that Rousseaux leads through a broad repertoire of Cuban folklore and Latino dance. The company, which grew out of Rousseaux’s earlier and widely applauded efforts with the Latin American Folk Institute’s AshéMoyubba ensemble, has been praised as much for its singing and live percussion as for its dancing. Rousseaux and the ALAFIA ensemble have performed at venues around the DC region, including the Smithsonian, Dance Place, Dance Africa, Artscape (Baltimore), Dance DC, as well as at embassies and consulates, various educational institutions, Latino and African cultural events, and a series of neighborhood and folkloric festivals. In 2007, the Maryland State Art’s Council recognized Rousseaux’s achievement in dance and choreography with an individual artist award. As a Master Instructor, Rousseaux has provided workshops and residencies at both the grammar, high-school, and collegiate level and participated in the Washington Performing Arts Society’s teaching-artist program as well as the after-school program at Baltimore’s Port Discovery. Rousseaux gives regular classes in batá drumming, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Haitian dance, traditional Cuban rhythms such as the Rumba Cycle, and all popular forms of Latin dance, including salsa, Rueda de Casino , merengue, chachacha, bolero and many more.