Juan Carlos Morales

Born in Havana, Cuba, Juan Carlos, or “Juanca,” has taught and performed in a wide variety of musical and performing arts. As a member of six years in the Cuban street and community theatre company, Giganteria, Juanca performed regularly at the International Dance Festival of Urban Landscape, the Havana Street Theatre Festival, the Theatre Festival Montaña-Escambray, and the International Street Theatre Festival of Matanzas. He performs as a percussionist, mime artist, juggler, and stilt walker. Juanca’s diverse teaching experience includes instruction in: percussion; physical theatre, mime and movement; stilting; juggling; and costume making from recycled materials. He also has experience in teaching children and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Juanca moved from Cuba to California, USA, in 2008, where he played Afro-Cuban percussion with the Latin fusion bands Locura and Souljive. Having recently moved to Ithaca, NY, with his wife Annie, Juanca currently works as a musician and organic farmer. Most recently, he taught Cuban Comparsa for Palante, and led an ensemble of drummers and dancers in Cuban carnival style at the 2011 Ithaca Festival Parade.