FACULTY AND STAFF

The CFB Academy is a universal dance school. Meaning that, we adore any child, young adult, or adult of any race, nationality, religion, or ethnicity that will step into our culture, and dance our many folkloric dances. That is why we offer a professionally experienced teaching staff and all our classes will also be supplemented by guest teachers, with many different dance backgrounds, offering lectures to our students in many rhythms.

JAIRO ALBERTO LASTRE (Guest Teacher)
Professor Lastre, one of the most prominent and talented dancers that has come from Colombia, began his dance training at age ten at the Instituto Colombiano de Ballet Clasico (Incolballet) in Cali under the direction of Gloria Castro. In 1986 he joined the Fundacion Ballet de Cali as a soloist. With that company, Mr. Lastre danced leading roles in Don Quixote, Coppélia, The Nutcraker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Swank Lake, among others. In 1990, he was a scholarship recipient with the Houston Ballet Academy while being the Artistic Director of the USA’s Colombian Folkloric ballet. On contemporary and folkloric dances, Mr. Lastre has danced as a soloist in Carmina Burana, Barrio Ballet, Enigma, Serenata Criolla, Alfonsina, Intermezzi, to name a few. His never ending resume includes his directing, teaching or choreographing for the renowned Fundacion Ballet de Cali, Ballet Santiago de Cali, Incolballet, Instituto Distrital de Cultura y Turismo - Bogota; Pontificia Universidad Javeriana – Cali; Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Palmira; Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes – Cali. This most passionate dancer and teacher will not only direct you in a path to become a better dancer but he will amaze you with his own “ahh” inspiring dancing.

PRISCILLA RIVAS (Teacher)
Born in Houston, Priscilla spent part of her childhood in Cali, Colombia and surrounded herself always with the music, dance and vibrant culture. As a young teenager, Priscilla took classes in ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. At 17, she joined the Colombian Folkloric Ballet where she trained in authentic Colombian rhythms and other various Latin/African styles. In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant Artistic Director for which she takes pride in sharing a positive image of her beloved country, Colombia. Priscilla also broadened her dance horizons by learning belly dancing and creating a unique fusion of Arabic and Latin dance style which she incorporates into her shows. She is a member of Gypsy Dance Theatre where she performs every year at the Renaissance Festival with her pet snake, Khaleegy. Priscilla holds a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Houston and teaches at the HISD’s John J. Herrera Elementary School.

JOSE ROBERTO CUBIAS (Teacher)
Born in El Salvador, he was introduced to dance at a young age participating in many local dance concerts and festivals. Eventually, he became instructor to the teachers who instructed him as a young child. Roberto joined the Colombian Folkloric Ballet in 1997 as a Soloist Dancer and promoted to Principal in 2000. He has extensive experience in folkloric dances from several Latin American countries having participated with many local Folkloric Groups including, among others, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Mexico, and El Salvador. In addition to working as a certified professional massager, Roberto is currently teaching salsa lessons to groups of diverse cultures. He also teaches in several Health Clubs, classes exceeding 60 members, very popular Latin Fusion class, which incorporates popular Latin rhythms in a single setting. He is happily married to Jenny Gimenez. They are the proud parents of a 4-year old boy, Nathan, and a 4-month old baby girl, Evangeline.

JOVAN A. FRANCO (Administrator)
The dynamic Jovan, is a passionate dancer who has been dancing since age 10. A Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Houston, he serves as the Administrator of the CFB Academy and Assistant to the CFB’s Executive Director. Jovan has participated in numerous salsa competitions in the USA and Colombia, where he has won many top prizes. He is a member of the CFB cast and as such has performed at the CFB’s “Colombia Unica” at the renowned Houston’s Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. His role as the CFB Academy’s Administrator is to guide parents and students through the whole dance formation process, schedules, fees, teaching and administrative policies.