Heather Burns (Haitian and Cuban Dance)

Heather Burns is a dancer and choreographer specializing in Cuban dance. She has studied and performed with many Cuban specialists, including her work as a Master's student in cultural anthropology with Cutumba Ballet Folklorico in Santiago de Cuba where she performed in Cuba's International Festival of the Arts Fiesta del Fuego.

Heather first trained in African dance at Duke University with master teacher Chuck Davis. After conducting field-work in Cuba and completing her M.A., she began dancing professionally in Los Angeles with Juan Calvo Flores's Unity Arts and Stage of the Arts Productions. She has taught university students, K-12, first-generation US teens, and dance professionals in four countries.

Through the American Dance Festival and International dance conferences, she has continued her training by studying with many professional companies, including the African American Dance Ensemble, Afrique Aya, Alvin Ailey, Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico, David Dorfman, Grupo Corpo, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Lizt Alfonso's Dance Cuba, Paul Taylor, Taylor II, Pilobolus, and Pilobolus II.