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Julia Cepeda (Right) and Ansarys Andino (Left) performing as Soulovely. Photo courtesy of the artist
Julia Caridad Cepeda
Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba dance
Julia Caridad Cepeda Martinez was born into the esteemed Familia Cepeda, a family that has carried the Bomba tradition for more than 8 generations. She is the granddaughter of Don Rafael Cepeda Atiles and Doña Caridad Cepeda Brenes (Patriarch & matriarch of Bomba Cangrejera de Santurce Puerto Rico) and the daughter of El Tambor Mayor, Jesus Cepeda Brenes. Julia has been dancing for 40 years and has been part of her family tradition as both a student and a teacher. Julia has been teaching in Oakland for 10 years. Currently, she is carrying her family’s legacy in the San Francisco Bay Area as Julia Dansé, dance instructor, alongside Denise Solís with their class community Taller Bombalele.
Apprenticeship Program
2024
In this apprenticeship, Julia Cepeda will focus more intensively on the foundation of grace and power that Bomba requires as she guides her apprentice, Ansary’s Adino in this cultural dance expression. Julia’s vast knowledge of the tradition passed down to her by way of her family will enrich Ansarys’ foundation in paseo ( travel of dance space), Figuras (figures), Piquetes (dance solos and movement) within each rhythm in Bomba culminating in the development of choreography.