Kati Hernandez

Kati Hernandez brings to the United States her humble, yet explosive and uplifting energy. Kati's knowledge of dance and choreography reveals her intricate and versatile style, making her a highly sought-after performer, nationally and internationally.

A native of Cuba, Kati grew up surrounded by the sounds of the drum and the Afro-Cuban tradition. Her dance studies included folkloric, popular, modern, ballet, choreography, composition and staging. Her earlier performances include the Havana International Jazz Festival with Cuban stars such as Bobby Carcases and Chucho Valdez and the Bienal Internacional de la Habana with Afro-Cuban music and performance icon Mercedita Valdez and visual artist Manuel Mendive.

Kati's international journey began soon after graduating Cuba's National Art Schools where she went to Spain to tour with the well-known orchestra Manolito Simonet y Su Trabuco. Kati's fiery, refined style awarded her the invitation to tour with several Cuban music and dance productions throughout Portugal, the Bahamas and Costa Rica, where she later resided for five years. This gave her the opportunity to refine her talents in teaching and choreographing dance, and to expand her range as an actor and dancer/choreographer for television. Kati also volunteered her time and skills teaching dance to children and young women in impoverished communities throughout Central America, empowering them to use dance as a medium for expressing emotions, experiences, hopes and dreams.

Following her extensive travels, Kati moved to the United States. In California she taken on the responsibility to teach and cultivate Afro-Cuban culture by producing regular events and workshops that create a community that bridges dance and music across cultures. She is the co-founder of KimBamBula Productionswhich produced "Essence of Cuba", a paramount reunion of Afro-Cuban masters in Los Angeles including members of the renowned group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas with California's finest Cuban folkloric masters. Kati recently created one of her dream projects, "Isupo Irawo", an ensemble of Legendary Afro-Cuban masters from around the world. This group features Maestro Lázaro Galarraga, one of the founding members of the Conjunto Folklorico de Cuba, who has been a lifelong inspiration to Kati, and recently a mentor to her development. Their most recent performances include the Esalen International Music and Dance Festival and the opening act for the world-renowned Brazilian jazz percussionistAirto Moreira at Avila Beach, CA.

Kati's other accomplishments in Los Angeles include: The Ford Amphitheater's popular Cuban music production of "La Charanga Cubana" and "Tropicana in Hollywood" where she was a choreographer, costume design advisor and production coordinator; the dance installation "Fire"directed by Judith Davis and presented at Pomona College; and UCLA's film project, "Raiz". In addition, She is praised for her tribute piece to legendary Afro-Cuban master percussionistFrancisco Aguabella at Esalen in Big Sur, CA.

Currently, Kati is the artistic director and choreographer of her own community-based, Afro-Cuban dance and music experimental project, "Dancing From the Heart". Eager to spread the roots of Cuban Salsa in L.A and nationwide, she is now the co-founder of Afro-Timba, a dance fitness program that she is currently touring Nationwide. Kati teaches dance classes at several southern California colleges and universities including the University of California, Irvine, as well as in many local studios throughout Los Angeles. She continues to tour, bringing her flavorful Afro-Cuban dynamite to national Afro-Cuban folkloric and salsa dance conferences such as Cuba Carrie in San Francisco, the Albert Torres' L.A. Salsa Congress, and many Casino Rueda regional festivals. Kati is known for her vibrant energy and flavor on the dance floor. When one begins to study with her they will see that this flavor comes from an in-depth knowledge of her culture and tradition.

Michelito Herrera

Michael "Michelito" Herrera is the former Musical Director of the world-acclaimed Cuban folkloric dance group Yoruba Andabo. Alongside General Director Yosvany del Pino, Miguel led Yoruba Andabo for four years, in which he managed the musical arrangements, vocal and musical instrument performances, as well as the artistic dance repertoire of an exceedingly-talented group of dancers and musicians. A self-taught dancer and musician, Miguel has been deeply immersed in Cuban folkloric dance and performance since he was six years old, performing in child dance ensembles. A native of La Habana, Cuba, he has shared the world stage with some of Cuba's and Latin America's most prominent musicians and artists, including Chucho Valdes, Juan Formell & Los Van Van, Oscar de Leon, Xiomara Laugart from Yerba Buena, Calle 13 and Juanes in stages all over the globe, including the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Brazil and Cuba. Most recently, Miguel performed with Yoruba Andabo and Chucho Valdes at Carnegie Hall in New York City in November of 2012.

Michael currently resides in Miami, Florida, and is the director of the Cuban orchestra Timbashe, an ensemble of musicians that fuse Cuban funk music, timba with many AfroCuban rhythms that normally do not get blended in with more mainstream Cuban popular music, such as Timba with Mozambique and Changui. Miguel holds vocal and percussion duties in Timbashe, and the group is composed of former members of Yoruba Andabo.

Miguel's dance and musical expertise in his workshops spans from teaching students methods and techniques in the Bata drums, Rumba, Abakua dances, Columbia, and Tambor Yuca.

Steve & Renate Bio

Steve Reed

Native of Jefferson City, MO, Steve has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with his partner of 14 years, Renate Dugans. Introduced to Renate and Salsa while serving in the U.S. Army, Steve was instantly drawn to the dance, music and Latin culture. He began to acquire his skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events. After fulfilling his military obligations, Steve joined Renate in Atlanta in 2005 and met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, he became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing.

Steve's talents in these genres were further enhanced and strengthened by Master instructors and dancers including the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, duane Wrenn, Kati Hernandez, Luis Gonzalez of Clave y Son, and Ricardo Hayes.

Renate Reed

Native of Lawton, OK, Renate has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with her partner of 14 years, Steve Reed. Both met while located in Columbia, SC, serving as Group Fitness instructors at the Ft. Jackson fitness facility. And at the same time, Renate stumbled upon Salsa for the first time. She was instantly taken by the dance, music and Latin culture, and began to acquire her skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events.

Renate's full-time employer transferred her to Atlanta in 2004 when she met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, she became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing. Renate's talents in these genres continued to flourish and bloom, thanks to Master instructors and dancers including Kati Hernandez, Ana Llorente, Neri Torres, the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, and Ricardo Hayes.

BAILAtlanta Instructors

Instructors participating on 2019 BAILAtlanta.