Rafael was born in Guantanamo City , Cuba . At the age of 5 he was chosen to join a special dance academy.  At the age of 12 he started his first professional school of dance . Then, after a hard audition, he was accepted at one of the most prestigious schools of arts in the country (The National School of Scenic Arts located in Havana City ). There he specialized in all kinds of Cuban and Latin dance , international dance , as well as taking lessons at the National School of Ballet. He found himself not only having a passion for dancing, so he trained as well in singing, acting, and guitar.

By the age of 15 he had performed in dance videos and commercials, soap operas, special national events, and with some of the best known dance companies of Cuba . With his certificate with honours, he worked at the Tropicana de Cuba in Veradero and Havana , later in Cayo Coco. In Toronto Rafael has worked with many dance companies, such as Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Mambo Dream Team Dance Company and Ire Omo Dance Company, competing and traveling around the world, and being guest of honour of the well known “Salsa Congresses” in Berlin-Germany, Warsaw-Poland, Acapulco-Mexico and our own in Toronto .

Rafael is not only a very talented dancer, instructor and choreographer but he also has an amazing voice! He was in Canadial Idol during the 2008 season.

Rafael has recently joined forces with Vanesa Stay of Latin Energy to teach and perform.