Spring Break 2017 was special for 12 students from the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance as they ventured to Cuba to learn first-hand the latin rhythms that have played an important part in influencing many genres of music. The week included workshops with Cuban percussionist Yissy - who regularly performs in the United States with musicians such as Dave Matthews, among others - and a live performance from the world's greatest rumba band, the Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. That performance culminated with a masterclass with members of the band. In between, the group - students of UM professor Michael Gould - visited the Universidad De Les Artes, where they were treated to a performance by Cuban university students and then later joined in with a performance.
The eight-day trip, financed by an anonymous donor, started out in Havana and ventured to Trinidad, Matanzas and Varadero before returning back to Ann Arbor.
From Havana the group got on a bus and traveled several hours south to old colonial city of Trinidad, which included a stop at the nearby Valley of Sugar Mills.
A little beach music as the sun went down on the Cuban adventure. From left, Jonathan Ovalle, Adam Shead, David Alvarez, Brian Juarez, Molly Radosevich, Erez Levin, Aaron Ginns, Michael Gould, Andrew Grossman, Everett Reid, Kayvon Gordon, David Ward, Michael Gardner, Cory Tripathy.
Photos by Roger Hart
Michigan Photography
Credits:
All photos by Roger Hart