Cumbia Workshop!
Details
Learn to Dance Cumbia! Intensive Workshop For All Levels
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Latin America’s most beloved dance! Our Cumbia Workshop is your passport to discovering the infectious rhythms, passionate movements, and pure joy that make cumbia an irresistible cultural phenomenon.
Whether you’re a complete beginner taking your first steps or an experienced dancer looking to refine your technique, Tristan & Rhazel will guide you through this vibrant dance form with warmth, expertise, and infectious enthusiasm. This isn’t just a dance class – it’s a celebration of culture, community, and the universal language of movement.
What Makes This Workshop Special?
Authentic Technique: Learn traditional cumbia steps and styling from instructors who understand both the technical foundations and cultural heart of this beautiful dance.
All Levels Welcome: Our progressive teaching approach ensures everyone feels confident and included, from absolute beginners to seasoned dancers.
Dynamic Duo: Tristan & Rhazel bring their unique teaching styles together, offering multiple perspectives and personalized attention to help you shine.
What You’ll Learn
•Fundamental cumbia steps and timing
•Partner connection and leading/following techniques
•A fun style choreo that can be done with footwork (shines) or connected with a partner
•Learn 5 different cumbia moves and be able to combine them to create your own pattern for the social dance floor
Why Cumbia?
Cumbia is more than just a dance – it’s a celebration of life! With its roots in Colombian coastal culture and influences from Indigenous, African, and Spanish traditions, cumbia embodies the beautiful fusion that makes Latin American culture so rich and vibrant. The dance is known for its circular movements, flowing skirts, and the mesmerizing interplay between partners that creates pure magic on the dance floor.
Who is this workshop for?
This is an all levels workshop, no experience necessary – just bring comfortable clothes you can move in and your enthusiasm.
We’ll provide the music, the instruction, and the welcoming atmosphere.
*We strongly suggest to bring a partner for the best workshop experience. However, the teachers will rotate students during the class.
Saturday September 20th 2025 | 2pm-4pm
Tickets per person:
$50 Early Bird until 09/13/2025
$55 General Admission
Sign Up Online to save your spot in class! (limited spaces available).
Location: Motion Arts Center
217 S Claremont St,
San Mateo, CA
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, water bottle, shoes with a smooth leather or suede bottom sole.
About your instructors: Tristan’s journey began with his family and the tradition of being Mexican. Dancing banda, merengue and cumbia are all a big part of the culture. At the young age of 14, Tristan was chosen to participate in many quinceañeras to learn other dances such as salsa, waltz and bachata. At the age of 25, Tristan entered the world of ballroom dance learning more techniques and patterns in waltz and American rhythm. In addition, he began training with Rhazel Urbano to strenghten their partner dancing. Outside of dance he likes to be with family and play board games with close friends.
Rhazel’s dance journey started in high school learning jazz dance. This inspired her to join the school’s Dance Spectrum program and performing yearly. She took classes in contemporary, tap and hip hop. When she met Tristan and started training together as a dance couple they combined their diverse styles. In her free time you can find her playing the piano as well as seeing musicals.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Latin America’s most captivating dance forms. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and get ready to fall in love with cumbia!
Register now and join our cumbia familia at Motion Arts Center!
Cumbia Workshop!