LATIN XL

Yersin Guillen Rivas was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba into a family with strong afrocuban roots and was brought up with a passion for music that inspired him to embark on a lifelong journey into the world of dancing.  He started as a member of Cienfuego’s Casa de la Cultura and other Cuban National Art and Dancing Organisations Yersin performed in theatres and stages across Cuba, and after arriving in the UK he quickly became a hit on the local and international Salsa scene. One of the most sought-after instructors for Cuban Salsa, Afrocuban and other traditional dances Yersin has taught and performed at many major Festival and Congresses including The Latin Splash Festival, Cuban Salsa Congresses (Wales, Swansea, London and Bournemouth), Festival Dias Cubanos (Holland), Afro Cuban Pati Weekender, Pontins Weekender, Salsa Feel The Heat Weekender, Teeside Festival, Mambo City Congress, Scottish Salsa Congress, Eagle Tours (Barcelona,Malaga and Majorca,Spain), Salsa Caramba (Sweden), Latin Angels (Toulouse, France), Dance-Cubana Lloyd , Havananights, SalsaJulia, Salsabrighton, Bar Salsa, London and Brighton Cuban Festival. Yersin also featured on a South American tour taking his talent to countries such as Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador and Brasil where he gave a series of workshops and master classes. Yersin has appeared on both BBC and ITV including the acclaimed British comedy-drama programme Auf Wiedersehen Pet and the popular  BBC drama series “The Hour” starring Ben Whishaw, Dominic West and Romola Garai, where he provided coaching and choreography for the dance scenes. Yersin has taught for more than 20 years and hundreds of people have benefited along the way embracing not only the dance but the Cuban culture in general. Yersin runs Cuban salsa classes and club in Newcastle Upon Tyne for 8 years and our aim is to celebrate cuban culture through our dances. Today more and more people join our weekly classes and monthly events. In addition to his impeccable dance credentials, Yersin is also one of the most exciting and established dj’s on the scene, often performing his skills at Festivals and Salsa Congresses in the UK and across Europe, he also has been resident dj at Revolucion de Cuba for the last 5 years hosting Fiesta Latina and the new project Latin XL Events.