Paul Cassens

Paul Cassens is DC Casineros’ Instructor Chair, Principal Dancer, and Choreographer. Jim Lepore introduced him to Cuban music, dance, and culture at George Mason University; he learned Rueda de Casino with Digna Rodriguez through Azucar, the university’s Latin dance club.

Paul has taught, performed and choreographed with DC Casineros across the United States and abroad. He first traveled to Cuba in 2012 and returned to perform on multiple occasions, including a company performance in Santiago de Cuba in 2016. The company’s 2018 concert at the Kennedy Center’s Artes de Cuba festival brought this work to another audience. George Mason University faculty biography.

As an adjunct faculty member in George Mason’s School of Dance, Paul teaches World Dance courses and works as a percussionist. He also teaches with Azucar. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music at George Mason, studying with John Kilkenny and Ken Harbison, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Utah.

Selected Guest Teaching

• Rueda de Casino workshop, Nashville Afro-Cuban Weekender, 2023.
• Spring Workshop & Fiesta with Ritmos Latinos Indiana, April 11, 2026.

Paul’s work brings together dance and music, including the study and performance of Afro-Cuban music and Western art music. Based in northern Virginia, he contributes to teaching for adults and university students as well as the company’s community programming.