Colombia Live

Colombia Live is a dance school and performing group where our mission is to develop integral dancers that promote the richness of Colombian culture via the performing arts to global audiences. We bring to life the many Colombian rhythms to the stage. We thrive in combining the cultural aspect as well as the technical skills in each class to create a unique learning experience. If you love Cumbia then you are in the right place, we have so much more to show you! 

Our Story 

Colombia Live’s story originates 23 years ago when the dance group Fuego Latino was created. Fuego Latino was composed of adult students only and focused on performing a combination of modern Latin dance rhythms and Colombian folkloric dances. As Fuego Latino created a mark in the Minnesota community focusing on Colombian folklore only, it experienced exponential growth over the years. In 2007, it became Grupo de Danzas Colombianas in MN (GDDCMN) under the leadership of Martha Ordoñez Daniels where students of all ages are part of the group. 

Over the years, GDDCMN has become an ambassador of Colombian culture in Minnesota and neighboring states. It has had the privilege of performing with Colombian artists Aldo Tributo and well known Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera. We are proud to not only share with you the richness of our Colombian dances but also to keep alive our culture with new generations. Many of our students have been part of the GDDCMN journey since the beginning and others have been part of the GDDCMN family since they were three years old. We are a unique space where you experience the passion of Colombia and thrive to develop the dancer talent.

In 2023, there was a restructuring of the organization to drive a stronger mission and to be unified under a new name: Colombia Live. 

We are proud to be an incredibly diverse group of people joined by the love of dance and Colombia.  We are on the cusp of developing even more exciting projects for our students, the community and above all you, our supporters! 

Message from our Executive Director: Martha Ordoñez Daniels

I have loved dancing since I was very young exposed to learning to dance in my home country of Colombia shortly after I learned to walk. Being born in Barranquilla probably ignited the passion for dance and culture. My love of dance continued though my formative years. In Colombia, every event provides another opportunity to dance. Moving to the US offered me additional, and different, opportunities to expand my dance repertoire.  I’ve danced with Grupo Folclorico de Colombia in Atlanta, and joined with Fuego Latino in the Twin Cities in 2004. As a participant, I’ve enjoyed growing as a dancer and learning more about the incredible variety of folkloric Colombian dances.  Through all of my experiences, the opportunity I have to lead Colombia Live is a huge gift. If one loves to dance, how old you are and where you are from is no barrier.  We are able to teach colombians, first generations, adoptees and others about Colombia. For some of them is their heritage, help them feel proud of our differences and encourage them to be stronger. I have the great joy of teaching all of our participants about Colombia and helping them pass the message to others, turning them into ambassadors of Colombia. The satisfaction of seeing dancers of all ethnicities and all ages flourish and find themselves in this small dance community that we have built from the ground up, and watch them grow in their self-esteem in dance, and in life, is extremely gratifying.