Dance@UCI

Biography

Kati Hernández is a native of Cuba. She began her dance training at age 9 and continued through age 20. She trained in rigorous programs as an art instructor and graduated from the Escuela National de los Artes or La ENA (the national art school located in Havana). Her dance training includes modern dance, all aspects of Cuban folkloric dance and ballet, as well as composition and staging. Kati was privileged to begin her performing career while still attending the Instituto Superior de los Artes (the graduate school associated with La ENA): She was invited to perform with various dance companies in Havana at venues such as the Teatro Mella and the Teatro National. During that period she shared the stage with jazz master Chucho Valdés, performed modern dance painted as the orisha Elegguá with visual artist Manuel Mendive, danced with well known choreographer Santiago Alfonso from Tropicana, performed Afro-Cuban dance with the legendary singer Mercedita Valdés and danced with popular Cuban orchestras.