Melvis Santa at Jamaica Center For Arts And Learning

Singer, composer, pianist, Afro Cuban dancer, actress, and educator Melvis Santa was born and raised in the heart of an eclectic neighborhood in Havana, being exposed to multicultural traditions early on.
Melvis made a splash in the Cuban musical scene at the age of 14 when she founded the collective vocal group Sexto Sentido, a project that jazz great Chucho Valdés deemed as “the best Cuban vocal quartet of the past 30 years” in 2007. The ensemble won the first prize of the Jo-Jazz (Cuban Youth Jazz competition) in 2001. In 2010 Melvis spread her wings and appeared as one of the lead vocalists of Interactivo, a seminal fusion band in Cuba....

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Singer, composer, pianist, Afro Cuban dancer, actress, and educator Melvis Santa was born and raised in the heart of an eclectic neighborhood in Havana, being exposed to multicultural traditions early on.
Melvis made a splash in the Cuban musical scene at the age of 14 when she founded the collective vocal group Sexto Sentido, a project that jazz great Chucho Valdés deemed as “the best Cuban vocal quartet of the past 30 years” in 2007. The ensemble won the first prize of the Jo-Jazz (Cuban Youth Jazz competition) in 2001. In 2010 Melvis spread her wings and appeared as one of the lead vocalists of Interactivo, a seminal fusion band in Cuba.

Melvis debuted as a solo artist in 2012 with the recording of her album Santa Habana, which was nominated to the CUBADISCO Awards that same year. Based in New York since 2014, she continues to make a mark as a performer and educator teaching workshops at NYU, CUNY Graduate Center, The Spence School, Tulane University of New Orleans, as well as collaborating with different organizations such as Global Rhythms, teaching music, voice, and Afro diaspora dance for children and adults. Melvis is the creator of the Caribe Body Fitness (dance program) and the Afro Cuban Voice Therapy (music program).

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