Biography
Isbert Ramos (Vivio) & Greydis Montero are The Cuban Groove. Highly accredited Cuban dancers, with more than 35 years experience in the dance world, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to New Zealand dancers and audiences.
Vivio
At age eleven he started his career at the prestigious & highly competitive National School of Arts 'ENA' in Havana, Cuba. There he studied many forms of Performing Arts, International & National Folklore including (Salsa, Mambo, Son, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Conga, Mozambique, Pilon, Yoruba & Congo) Ballet, Jazz, Rhythm, Composition & Choreography with Contemporary & Modern Techniques including Gymnastics, Acting, Music & Painting.
He graduated after seven years not only with honours but also as the 'Top Student of the Year' with National 1st prizes in both Modern & Contemporary Dance. In the following three years he danced for BALLET DE CAMAGUEY & then joined THE NATIONAL COMPANY CONTEMPORARY DANCE OF CUBA where he reached the level of 'FIRST DANCER', remaining so for the following 14 years, and travelling with them all over the world.
Greydis
Began formal dance training at the age of eight. Two years later she also entered the National School of Arts 'ENA' in Havana Cuba. She underwent the same rigorous training & gained three prizes International 1st Prize as Revelation of the year at the Young Talent Festival & Two 1st prizes in Contemporary Dance. She Performed for DANZART, a professional Dance Company specializing in Flamenco, Contemporary Dance & Afro Cuban Folklore before her graduation.
She continued working with Danzart & also performed for Yordanz, a company with a very contemporary line of work, also based in Havana, Cuba
Vivio and Greydis
Soon after joining Danzart, Greydis & Vivio's paths crossed. Vivio, still with the National Company, was invited as a Teacher & Choreographer to oversee the work with the Danzart team. A year later they were independently approached to join the dance musical Lady Salsa & soon found themselves dancing together overseas.
It wasn't long before Vivio's expertise was called upon to completely re-work & refine the Lady Salsa Show. With Greydis as his key 'Assistant Director' , a very smart show was re-born.
They proudly toured the globe as the Principal Dancers & Choreographers, bringing with them this vast knowledge & experience to New Zealand.
Their magical presence & strong cultural background reveals the inherent African influence unique to Cuban Salsa.
Four years on, they've not only been teaching, choreographing & performing all over New Zealand, but have both found unexpected work & performance opportunities here in film, theatre, television commercials and radio.
Greydis had been chosen for voice-overs for the Polynesian TV series Bro'Town, acted & danced in the Disney Film Wendy Wu Home Coming Warrior, directed by New Zealander John Laing in 2006, and Vivio recently scored a part in the film 10,000 BC, directed by Roland Emmerich.
Together they've hosted Cuban Mix music and culture show on K FM 106.9 and have worked for numerous different companies, festivals & internationals events including:
- Whale Rider (Stage Production) 2004
- Philippines Lady Salsa Promotion Tour 2004
- Womad International Festival, New Plymouth 2005
- Ceroc Champs 2005
- Judges for the World Salsa Champ Selections in Las Vegas, Jambalaya - Rotorua 2006 and for New Zealand's Annual Salsa Latin Dance Competition 2003, 2005 & 2006.
Vivio & Greydis have toured more than 25 countries, and have taken between them more than 10 'Invitation Only' courses with some of the biggest names in dance today. They are truly an asset to New Zealand Dance.
Dancing for them is "a blessing, a passion and something to be shared."
