TAMPA, Fla. — Irene Rodriguez, a professional dancer and founder of her own school of dance in Cuba, is sharing her love of dance and culture with students in the Tampa Bay area.
What You Need To Know
- Irene Rodriguez was born in Cuba and grew up dancing
- Rodriguez owned her own international touring company and was the principal dancer of Spanish Dance
- She moved to the U.S. to pursue more opportunities in dance
- She now teaches Flamenco and other types of dances in Tampa
Rodriguez has been dancing for decades and was inspired by her mother, who was a ballet dancer.
She started learning ballet at a young age before being drawn to Flamenco.
"Since the first moment, I knew I'm going to be a professional dancer," she said.
In 2012, Rodriguez founded her own school of dance in Cuba and received awards and acclaim for her work.
She eventually moved to Tampa, attracted by the city's culture, and began sharing her love of dance with students in the area.
"I love teaching, I have been teaching since I was 16 years old," she said.
Teaching Flamenco allows Rodriguez to stay connected to her roots and her history, even though she's in the U.S.
She draws inspiration from literature and art to choreograph her dances, which she says are like telling a story.
For Rodriguez, each class is an opportunity to inspire her students, no matter their age.
"I will be teaching always, I won't stop ever because it's what I love and what makes me feel happy," she said.
Rodriguez hopes her students will tap into what makes them happy and find joy in dance, just as she has.
