Havana Dance Academy

Havana Dance Academy is Sydney's Cuban dance studio, led by Fraudy Martin Estrada Megret, a professional Cuban dancer and former principal dancer for one of Cuba's largest and best-known folkloric dance companies. The academy teaches authentic Cuban dance styles without alteration, offering group classes, private lessons, workshops, and performance entertainment for events.

Group classes run on a rotation basis, so you don't need a partner to learn. Classes are structured by level — Foundation, Level 2 (A, B, C), Level 3 (A, B, C), and Advanced (Levels 4, 5, 6) — with progression determined by instructor assessment. Each 60-minute group class covers the steps and turn patterns within Havana's specific syllabus, building from basic partnering and lead-follow skills through to intricate combinations and multiple styles. Class sizes range from 5 to 30 people. A free trial class is offered at the start of each term.

The academy teaches Salsa, Son, Rumba, Afro-Cuban, Rueda de Casino, Chachacha, Mambo, Pilon, Mozambique, and Reggaeton. Son is recommended as an entry point, providing the foundation moves that underpin Salsa, Rumba and Chachacha. Rueda de Casino is taught as a four-plus-person group dance involving partner swaps.

Private classes are available for singles and couples, offering personalized one-on-one attention with flexible scheduling. The teaching team includes Fraudy (Director and Principal Instructor), Roberto (Assistant Instructor), Laurie, Sunay, Alfredo, and Emma. Beyond classes, the academy runs monthly workshops covering different styles, organizes guided dance holidays and cultural tours to Cuba (including Spring and Autumn tours), and provides entertainment performers for weddings, family parties, and festivals. A special offering is wedding dance coaching for couples wanting to create a high-energy surprise routine for their big day.

Group classes are 60 minutes long and operate on partner rotation, so singles and couples both fit in. You'll work through the syllabus step by step, learning to interpret the music and express yourself while dancing. The environment is described as supportive and motivating, with energy and humour.

The team is led by Fraudy Martin Estrada Megret, director and principal instructor, who was principal dancer for one of Cuba's largest folkloric dance companies. Other instructors named are Roberto (assistant instructor), Laurie, Sunay (instructor and coordinator), Alfredo, and Emma. All are described as highly qualified, not just as dancers but as dance instructors.

Foundation courses are specifically designed for students with little or no dance experience, and the academy welcomes absolute beginners; a free trial class is offered at the start of each term.