Julio Montero is a Cuban-born dance instructor who has an in-depth knowledge of Cuban Salsa, which is actually called “Casino” in his native island. He was born into a family that is completely obsessed with music and dance. He grew up in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba, motherland to the very roots of Cuba’s most distinctive musical exports, and lived in neighbourhoods renowned for their strong traditions of Conga, Son, and Afro-Haitian rhythms.

In his methodology, Julio incorporates the skills acquired during four years at the Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas "Frank País" of Santiago de Cuba, where he studied to become an English teacher. Julio’s main goal is to pass onto his students the rhythmic legacy he has inherited, as well as the positive cultural values associated with Afro-Latin-Caribbean culture. “Through social dancing we not only learn steps and have incredible fun –we also develop vital social skills that favourably impact our daily lives, our self-esteem and our overall sense of happiness”, he says, adding: “I shall give you something worth your time and effort, in the form of a dance knowledge that no one will be able to take away from you”. 

Recently, Julio collaborated with legendary Cuban artist Elio Revé y su Charangón, along with Proyecto casino, to present the song and music video "Cuba Baila Casino". Julio co-authored the song, which is nothing but a tribute to Casino and the Rueda de Casino dance. You can access free downloads of both the song and the music video, when you sign up for any of Julio's courses.