Vivio Ramos

Professional Biography

ORIGINALLY from Guantanamo and Havana, Cuba, Vivio is a world-class dancer, choreographer, teacher and musician who has been running The Cuban Groove in Auckland for 23 years. He loves to share his extensive knowledge and passion for Cuban dances with students around the country and beyond. Vivio's band KE LO KE is headlining the Salsa Tumbao 2025 party, where you'll get to experience joyful Cuban rhythms on the dance floor from eleven of the best Latin and jazz musicians in New Zealand.

Vivio is a fully qualified dancer, teacher, choreographer and musician, and an early pioneer of Cuban dance and music in Aotearoa. He is formally trained in contemporary dance, ballet and Cuban folkloric traditions at Havana's prestigious National School of Arts under some of Cuba's master dancers and teachers.

What drives you to dance?

"All I need is a beat for dancing and that's it! I don't even need music, just the beat."

His career has taken him around the globe, performing in shows with prestigious dance companies like Danza Contemporanea de Cuba and Ballet de Camaguey. Vivio was a principal dancer in the acclaimed show Lady Salsa, which toured internationally, ending up in NZ. Since arriving in Aotearoa in 2002, Vivio has played a central role in growing the Cuban dance community. Through his company, The Cuban Groove, he has taught thousands of students and trained many teachers across the country in authentic Cuban dance styles. Known for his distinctive energy and artistry, Vivio has performed at national and international festivals, events, parties and shows, judged major salsa competitions, appeared on television and film, and participated in salsa competitions and community celebrations.