Juan Carlos Blanco

Juan Carlos Blanco

Juan Carlos Blanco Riera (Artistic Director, Omo Aché) was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he performed with several professional companies for over 15 years before coming to the U.S. As a youth, he started his performance career with the folkloric arts group, Cumballe, and Oba llú, in his hometown of Guanabacoa. He later joined one of Cuba's most renowned folkloric companies, Raices Profundas (Deep Roots), directed by Juan De Dios Ramos Morejon. He spent nine years with Raices Profundas, where he rose to the level of lead male dancer and soloist, touring Latin America and Asia. In 1998, he founded Omo Aché Afro-Cuban Music & Dance Co. in San Diego, CA. to preserve and present Cuba's rich cultural heritage, especially its African roots; presenting in schools, universities, multicultural venues, and most recently at The Magnolia for Catalysts of SD and Imperial Counties Conference (Sept 2024), ‘Baja Splash’ at Aquarium of the Pacific (Sept 2024), USD’s ‘The Arts District’ (June 2024), Balboa Theatre’s ‘Danza Cubana’ with Classics4Kids Orchestra (Mar 2024), UTLA/National Education Association’s ‘We Are Ethnic Studies’ conference (Jan 2023), ‘Drums and Strings’ at California Center for the Arts Escondido (June 2022), Tiki Oasis (July 2022), Mingei International Museum (2022 Spring Performance Series) and SD Park & Rec. ‘Dance in the Park after Dark’ (Aug. 2022) He has been featured in various Afro-Cuban productions throughout California as a dancer and guest choreographer for groups such as Olorun, Alafia, and Taifa. He was musical director for Onstage Playhouse's 2021 production of 'A People's Cuban Christmas Tale’, choreographer & musical director for the 2022 production of 'In the Red and Brown Water' at UCSD, and for Diversionary Theatre’s 2023 production of ‘The High Table.’ Most recently he choreographed the grand finale for Southwestern College’s ‘Global Rhythms’ Dance Concert (Nov 2024). He is currently a choreographer for UCSD’s WinterWorks production, debuting work (Mar. 2025) He is currently a Teaching Artist with the Center for World Music and Arts Education Connection SD, teaching Cuban dance & music to students throughout San Diego schools.  He also currently teaches dance in UCSD's Department of Theatre and Dance. 

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