Greater Toronto Area · Non-Profit · Since 2014

Celebrating the Cultural Expressions of Venezuela in Canada.

Sentir Venezuela Cultural Group is a non-profit based in the Greater Toronto Area dedicated to preserving and sharing the vibrant traditions of Venezuelan dance, music, and culture — a multigenerational collective of volunteer dancers, musicians, and educators.

From Afro-Venezuelan rhythms to the elegance of Joropo and Venezuelan Waltz, we perform living stories of joy, resilience, and identity.

Join a Class Book a Performance Support Our Work
10+
Years in the GTA
5
Major Festivals
∞
Stories of Joy
Sentir Venezuela dancers in traditional Venezuelan dress Harp, cuatro and maracas — traditional Venezuelan instruments
“ We perform with Venezuela in our hearts.
Sentir Venezuela performing at a festival
2014
Founded
in Toronto
About Us

Culture · Heritage · Community

A multigenerational collective of dancers, musicians, and educators dedicated to preserving Venezuelan traditions — from Afro-Venezuelan rhythms like Calipso, Parranda, and Drums to the elegance of Joropo and Venezuelan Waltz.

"We perform with the people of Venezuela in our hearts and the desire to contribute positively to Canada's multicultural fabric."

Our Story & Highlights

Founded in 2014 by Carla Soto, Dayris Rodriguez, and Francis Gotopo Roque — born of love for our native country and the desire to share its cultural richness with our new home.
More than 10 years of artistic and community leadership across the GTA.
Annual performances at Salsa on St. Clair, Panamerican Food & Music Festival, and Mississauga Latin Fest.
Workshops and classes for children and adults in Toronto and Mississauga.
Collaborations with Mississauga Players, Art Starts, Platform A, and Esmeralda Enrique Academy of Spanish Dance.

Mission

To foster cultural pride, intergenerational exchange, and belonging through Venezuelan dance and performance in Canada.

Vision

To be an artistic legacy for new Venezuelan-Canadian generations — preserving our cultural and traditional values.

Founded by

CS
Carla Soto
DR
Dayris Rodriguez
FG
Francis Gotopo Roque
Our Objectives
  • Promote and transmit interest in Venezuelan customs and traditions in Canada, through Venezuelan folk dance.
  • Integrate the Venezuelan-Canadian community in the preservation of Venezuelan roots.
  • Be a meeting point for the Venezuelan community in Canada.
  • Enjoy our beautiful folkloric dance and show Canadians and other cultures how beautiful Venezuela is.
Our Team

The people behind Sentir Venezuela

A passionate team united by love for Venezuelan culture and dance.

Carla Soto

Co-founder · Events Liaison

Dancer, choreographer, and Spanish teacher. Trained in ballet, flamenco, and Venezuelan folk dance since age 6 in Caracas.

Read bio →

Francis Gotopo Roque

Co-founder · Board Chair

Electronic engineer by training, passionate dancer since age 2. Specialist in flamenco and Venezuelan folklore.

Read bio →

Jessonica (Jessy) Chacín

Executive Director · Strategist

Multidisciplinary artist and strategic leader with more than a decade of experience producing and promoting Venezuelan folkloric traditions in Canada.

Read bio →

Fabiola Sánchez

Artistic Director

Communications graduate and dancer since age 7 at Danzas Típicas Maracaibo. Specialist in Venezuelan folklore, ballet, and flamenco.

Read bio →

María José (MaJo) Vicuña

Board Member · Bridges-Builder

Dynamic Human Resources leader and passionate advocate for cultural diversity. Former Executive Director committed to cultural preservation and inclusion.

Read bio →

Andrea D'Armas

Cultural Dancer · Arts Ambassador

Passionate and versatile performer with more than a decade of experience in cultural dance, choreographic cheerleading, and children's entertainment.

Read bio →

Noemí Gutiérrez

Marketing & Designer · Dancer

Committed marketing professional with many years of volunteer experience supporting Sentir Venezuela's mission to preserve and share Venezuelan culture with the world.

Verónica Marín-Estrada

Actor · Singer · Youth Leader

Rising Latin-Canadian bilingual actor, vocalist, and dancer with deep Venezuelan roots. ACTRA member with leading stage and screen credits, performing Venezuelan folk dance with Sentir Venezuela.

Read bio →

Alba Camacho

Venezuelan Folk Dancer · Cultural Performer · Dance Educator

Dancer and educator with deep roots in Venezuelan folkloric tradition and more than a decade of performance and teaching experience across folk, contemporary, and urban styles.

Read bio →
Programs & Projects

From Stage to Classroom:
Keeping Our Culture Alive

Our work extends beyond the stage. Sentir Venezuela offers inclusive cultural programs that bring Venezuelan art to life for all ages.

Sentir Venezuela performances and cultural programs
💃

Venezuelan Dance Academy

Weekly classes for children, youth, and adults in Toronto and Mississauga, led by experienced instructors.

🎓

Workshops & Residencies

Cultural education in schools and community spaces that explore rhythm, folklore, and storytelling.

🎈

Kids Program

Give children the gift of Venezuelan culture. Age-appropriate folkloric dance in Toronto and Mississauga.

🤝

Collaborations & Partnerships

Cross-cultural projects like Masks & Rhythm (Art Starts, Platform A) that bridge communities through creative expression.

🎭

Community Engagement

Charity galas, multicultural festivals, and educational outreach that inspire pride and understanding.

✨

Sentir Venezuela & Friends

A theatrical performance bringing the journey of our culture to life through the eyes of a child who recently immigrated to Canada.

Coming Soon
🌳

Art in the Park

An outdoor experience where the audience learns the background of our cultural expressions — and joins in the dance with us.

Learn More About Our Classes Partner with Us
Get Involved

Be Part of the Creative Venezuelan Family

Sentir Venezuela thrives through community participation. Whether you're a performer, volunteer, or supporter, your contribution helps our culture flourish in Canada.

Ways to participate

Pick the path that fits your life right now.

💃

Join as a Performer

Train and perform with us at festivals and community events.

Email us →
🙋

Volunteer

Help with events, production, outreach, or youth programs.

Apply on DoSomeGood →
💛

Donate or Sponsor

Support our costumes, music, and cultural programs. Every contribution counts.

Donate →

Donation Tiers

Every level makes a real impact. Choose what fits, or get in touch about another amount.

$25
Covers a refreshment kit for performers during a performance.
$50
Covers our studio rental for a day for rehearsals.
$250
Provides a dancer outfit: rehearsal skirt, body, dancing shoes, one performing skirt.
$600
Covers the full dancing attire set including a traditional liqui-liqui.
$1,200
Offsets some of our backstage expenses.
$2,500
Covers instructor fees for a workshop series for drums or dance.
Other
Choose your own amount — every dollar moves the work forward.
How to contribute
Send a donation via e-transfer to payments@sentirvenezuela.ca, or mail a cheque to Sentir Venezuela Cultural Group, Toronto, ON M4Y. In the transfer memo, please indicate where you would like your donation directed and include your email for the receipt. For cash, mail-in, and e-transfer donations, your charitable receipt will be sent via email. We are working towards our charity registration.
"Together, we dance for our roots, our people, and our future."
Festivals & Partners

We perform and collaborate with

Contact

Let's Connect

We'd love to hear from you — whether you want to collaborate, invite us to perform, or learn more about our programs.

Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Facebook Instagram YouTube

Send us a Message

Fill out the form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Or email us at info@sentirvenezuela.ca