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ABOUT GRISET
ABOUT GRISET
Griset Damas-Roche
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Flamenco Dancer
Flamenco Company of Columbus – Caña Flamenca
U Will Dance Studio
Address: 133 N. Chillicothe Street, Plain City, Ohio 43064
Phone: (614) 327-6441
Email: uwilldancestudio@gmail.com
Website: www.uwilldance.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/uwilldancestudio
Instagram: www.instagram.com/grisetdamas
Facebook (Personal): www.facebook.com/@griset.roche
Languages Spoken:
Spanish and English
Born in Havana, Cuba, Griset Damas-Roche studied ballet at the Instituto Superior de Arte. Upon graduating as a professional dancer, she joined the Ballet Español de La Habana. For five years, she performed with this world-renowned company, known for its unique technical and choreographic style in Spanish dance within Cuba.
In 1998, Damas-Roche moved to Bogotá, Colombia, where she began her own choreographic and teaching legacy. She operated her own studio, "Griset Damas Escuela de Flamenco," and taught flamenco and ballet at the Gilverto Alzate Avendaño Foundation as part of an arts program for the Bogotá government. Over 15 years, she taught more than 3,500 students and directed her successful company, "Caña Flamenca." Additionally, she trained and performed as a soloist in other prestigious companies, dancing in the most important theaters in Colombia. She also choreographed award-winning works such as A ritmo de María, Salir del Paraíso, and Castañuelas, Cuerdas y Tacones. As a dancer, she was a soloist in Bolero by the prestigious Maestro Antonio Canales and performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra.
Transition to the United States
Transition to the United States
In 2014, Damas-Roche moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she began teaching at the then-established Flamenco del Corazón school. Her passion for flamenco fit perfectly with the school's mission, allowing her to continue its legacy at what is now U Will Dance Studio.
Griset quickly became a recognized figure in the Columbus arts community. She was invited to join the Columbus Makes Art campaign, leading to performances with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Since 2016, she has been a guest flamenco instructor at BalletMet’s Summer Intensive Program and has taught at numerous other dance schools in central Ohio. She continues her professional development by attending the Albuquerque Flamenco Festival annually and engaging in intensive flamenco studies in Spain, both in person and online.
Teaching and Artistic Direction
Teaching and Artistic Direction
Damas-Roche teaches all levels of flamenco and ballet at U Will Dance Studio in Plain City, Ohio, and at McConnell Arts Center in Worthington. She founded the Columbus Flamenco Company, which performs multiple times a year. Her leadership in the community led to the emergence of the new company, Caña Flamenca, which she currently directs.
Recently, Damas-Roche received a grant through the TeachArtsOhio project from the Ohio Arts Council, which brings flamenco to over 400 students at the Columbus Spanish Immersion School. She will premiere a new show, CubanOlé, on March 1 and will participate with Caña Flamenca in the Choreographic Festival organized by OhioDance.
Teaching Experience (USA)
Teaching Experience (USA)
2014 – Flamenco de Corazón: Flamenco for adults
2014-2018 – Dublin Dance Center & Gymnastics: Summer Intensive - Ballet, Stretching, Classical Spanish, Castanets, Flamenco for children, youth, and adults
2018-2019, 2023-2024 – New Albany Ballet: Summer program - Classical Spanish, Castanets, Flamenco for children and youth
2016-2025 – U Will Dance Studio: Artistic Director, Choreography & Teacher - Ballet, Stretching, Pointe, Raise the Bar, Flamenco, Castanets, Bata de Cola, Fan, Shawl (online & in-person classes for children, youth, and adults)
2017-2024 – BalletMet: Summer Intensive - Classical Spanish, Castanets, Flamenco for children and youth
2023-2025 – McConnell Arts Center: Flamenco & Castanets for adults, Summer Camp & Creative Mini Dance Camp for children
2024-2025 – TeachArtsOhio project, Ohio Arts Council: Columbus Spanish Immersion School
Performances
Performances
November 3, 2017 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Soloist)
April 10, 2018 – Jonathan Alder Plain City Elementary School (Soloist)
June 2 & 3, 2017; June 22, 2018; December 15, 2019 – U Will Dance Studio Annual Performances
May 3, 2018-Present – Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Brigid School (Soloist)
June 9, 2018 – Festival Flamenco Albuquerque (Soloist)
September 9, 2018 – FLAMENCO FOR LIA Fundraiser, Plain City, OH (Flamenco Company of Columbus)
August 2018-2020 – Festival Latino, Columbus, OH (U Will Dance Studio)
August 21, 2018 – Chautauqua Amphitheater with Chautauqua Orchestra (Soloist)
March 1-2, 2019 – Spanish Flamenco Festival, Palace Theatre (Soloist)
May 5, 2018-2023 – Folklore Hispano, Ohio State University
2019-2025 – Tablao Flamenco, Sidebar & The Kitchen Restaurants
April 16, 2019, 2022, 2023 – St. Paul School, Spanish Club (Soloist)
May 19-20, 2019 – Princeton Symphony Orchestra (Soloist)
January 25, 2020, 2021 – Columbus Museum of Art Wonderball (Soloist)
February 4, 2020 – The Wooden Floor Performance & Workshop (Soloist)
April 28, 2023 – OhioDance Festival (Caña Flamenca)
November 16, 2024 – Good Day Columbus (With Guitarist Peter Cary)
December 7, 2024 – Bowling Green State University (Caña Flamenca)
January 26, 2024 – Otterbein University (Flamenco Company of Columbus)
Short Film 2024 – Del Arte Vivo (Directed by Mauricio Orjuela)
December 2025 – OhioDance Performance at Ohio Statehouse
2025 – U Will Dance Studio Featured Performance
February 26, 2026 - Hilliard Davidson and Hilliard Darby High Schools attend a presentation about Cuba and Spain
March 1, 2025- CubanOlé with Orlay Alonso and Amy Schofield at The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center
April 14, 2025- Capital University, Conservatory of Music in Mees Auditorium, Collorboration with Otter Cap Ochestera
Education & Training
Education & Training
Alejo Carpentier Ballet School, Instituto Superior de Arte, Havana, Cuba
Centro Andaluz de La Habana (1991) – First Flamenco studies
Ballet Español De La Habana (1992-1997) – Flamenco, Classical Spanish, Bolera School, Castanets (studied under Ana Casas)
Madrid Training (2010-2012) – Amor de Dios Studio (Studied under Paco Mora, Antonio Canales, and others)
2020-2025 – Flamenco Studies at Studio Flamenco Seville with Esther Velez
Recent & Upcoming Works
Recent & Upcoming Works
2024 – Nueva Tierra en mi Andar (Caña Flamenca Choreography)
2025 – OhioDance Performance at Ohio Statehouse
2025 – U Will Dance Studio Featured Performance
2025 CubanOlé with Orlay Alonso and Amy Schofield at The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center
CubanOle.mp4Page updated
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