Biography
BIO
Javier Torres is a visionary cultural leader and arts manager, deeply committed to the transformative power of dance, culture, and education. Born in Cuba, he is considered one of the best Cuban dancers of his generation. With over 22 years of performance career, Javier has captivated audiences in more than 29 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Under his leadership, the Carlos Acosta Dance Foundation (ADF) has evolved from a small charity supporting Cuban dance work into a dynamic, internationally‑oriented institution. Javier’s strategic vision and determination have driven the expansion of ADF into the UK through the creation and launch of the Acosta Dance Centre in 2023, establishing a fully operational hub offering pre‑professional training programmes, community outreach, and a pathway for young dancers & choreographers to develop in a culturally rooted and globally aware environment.
Currently, Javier oversees the comprehensive strategic direction and governance of the organisation. He leads the development and delivery of artistic programming, curriculum design, performance productions, and educational & charitable initiatives. His scope of responsibility spans from daily operations to long‑term planning, ensuring financial sustainability, institutional growth, and high-quality arts provision.
Artistically, Javier is responsible for the entire creative output of the Foundation: programming dance training across classical ballet, Afro‑Cuban, contemporary and folkloric disciplines; curating showcases, fellowships, residencies, and community‑oriented dance projects; commissioning choreographic works; and leading major performances. Under his guidance, ADC/ADF has hosted a growing number of productions, masterclasses, international collaborations, and outreach programmes, reflecting his conviction that dance is not just a discipline but a powerful medium for cultural exchange, community engagement, and social transformation.
Beyond his work with the Acosta Dance Foundation, Javier is deeply engaged in cultural diplomacy and civic leadership. He believes in dance as a form of soft power, using it to foster cross-cultural understanding, global connection, and social cohesion. His work positions ADF/ADC as a bridge between cultures, building opportunities for dancers, creatives, and communities worldwide. He collaborates internationally with renowned dancers, companies, and choreographers, and serves as an artist’s representative, supporting talent development and global engagement. Among other works, Javier has co-choreographed his own version of Don Quixote with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 2025 and staged a full production of The Sleeping Beauty with the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey. He has also been invited as a guest teacher, stager, and rehearsal director in Spain, Norway, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, among others.
Javier also contributes to the broader charitable and arts sector through his involvement with organisations such as Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, a Black-led organisation dedicated to centring African and African Caribbean perspectives in cultural experiences, where he serves as Vice-Chair. His governance experience, shaped by managing multi‑dimensional programmes, partnerships, and institutional growth, makes him well-equipped to steer a rapidly expanding international charity while safeguarding its core values and cultural identity.
He is the Founder and CEO of We Dance Agency, an organisation dedicated to representing top-tier dancers and choreographers, providing business consultancy, and promoting a culture of peace through dance diplomacy. He is also the co-creator, director, and promoter of Alafia, the UK’s largest Afro‑Cuban Dance Festival, which celebrates and preserves the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban culture.
In addition, he co‑founded and directs the London Latino Film Festival, a new initiative in 2025 demonstrating his ability to build organisations from scratch, implement strategic plans, and foster cultural diplomacy, this time through cinema as well as dance.
Under Javier’s strategic leadership, Acosta Dance Foundation and Acosta Dance Centre have become much more than a training school: they are an international arts institution, a community hub, a site of cultural diplomacy, and a creative incubator, delivering on the belief that dance education and culture can drive global growth, social progress, and meaningful positive change.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND DANCE DIPLOMACY
ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND DANCE DIPLOMACY
Javier Torres is an academic researcher who, through his Master’s in Business Administration, has conducted significant studies in the realm of dance company leadership and young dancers’ adaptability. One of his key research projects, titled “Behind an Artistic Director Role – A Grounded Theory of Dance Company Leaders’ Management and Leadership Styles,” explores the evolving context of dance companies within the framework of business principles and investigates why Artistic Directors often lack formal training in business, management, leadership, psychology, or academic education. With this research, Javier aimed to foster entrepreneurial attitudes and broader connections beyond business & dance.
Additionally, Javier has delved into issues of adaptability and trainability in young dancers, emphasizing the importance of versatile training programmes for young artists in the UK.
Javier holds a UNITAR-ICD Executive Diploma in Cultural Diplomacy, International Relations, and Global Governance. He leverages his experience to promote and share the rich Cuban and Latin American dance cultures with the world. His work aims to integrate the Cuban dance curriculum internationally, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation through dance diplomacy.
Performing Arts Management
PERFORMING ARTS MANAGEMENT
Javier Torres brings a wealth of expertise in performing arts management, excelling in both public and private sectors. As the Head of the Carlos Acosta Dance Foundation and Acosta Dance Centre in London, he plays a pivotal role in redefining the UK’s dance landscape, positioning the institutions as key cultural hubs.
In his capacity as Vice Chairman of Serendipity UK, Javier advises and supports the organisation in amplifying the voices of the African and African Caribbean Diaspora through artistic initiatives like the Let’s Dance International Frontiers (LDIF) festival & Black History Month Leicester. He helps shape the organisation’s efforts in documenting Black arts, nurturing new work, and fostering cross-cultural understanding through collaborations with artists, venues, and institutions.
In his capacity as Manager, he has closely collaborated with some of the most prestigious companies globally, including Paris Opera, Teatro Colón in Argentina, Greek Opera, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Sofia Opera and Ballet, and Opera Roma, among many others.
As a producer, Javier has played a pivotal role in shaping the artistic direction of major international galas, including Ballet Icons in London and Osiel Gouneo and Friends. His work bridges artistic excellence with innovative programming, fostering international collaborations that celebrate and elevate dance across the globe.
He is the co-founder and director of the Alafia Festival, the UK’s largest Afro-Cuban dance festival, which fosters intercultural dialogue and celebrates the rich diversity of dance.
As co-founder and director of the London Latino Film Festival, Javier applies his expertise in arts and cultural management to curate high-quality programming, oversee festival operations, and engage artists and audiences.
Torres is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a member of the Creative UK Advisory Council. Javier also serves as a Board Member of the Acosta Dance Foundation and is an active member of the International Dance Council (CID) | UNESCO. His work continues to bridge artistic leadership and cultural diplomacy on both national and international stages.
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
- Elementary Ballet School “Alejo Carpentier”: Graduated in Havana, Cuba – (1997).
- National Ballet School of Havana: Graduated with honors as a ballet dancer and ballet teacher – (2000).
- Clore Leadership: Emerging Leaders program – (2019).
- Dance East – Ipswich: Rural Retreat, Emerging Leaders program – (2020).
- The Open University: BA (Hons) in Business Management and Leadership – (2020)
- Cumbria University: Master in Business Administration (MBA) – (2022).
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNITAR & Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS): Executive Diploma in Cultural Diplomacy, International Relations & Global Governance – (2024).
Cross-Cultural Network
Cross-Cultural Network
As a passionate advocate for global connection through dance and the arts, Javier Torres is deeply involved in several international dance networks. Through his leadership in cultural diplomacy and dance, he works to foster cross-cultural exchange and collaboration across borders, leveraging his global network to create meaningful connections and opportunities for artists worldwide. His work continues to strengthen the role of dance as a tool for global understanding and cultural diplomacy.