Iliana Rose: The Rise of Cuban Genres — Son, Danzón, and Rumba

Join us for a talk with Iliana Rose on the rise of Cuban genres.

This is a free lecture but registration is required. Use the ticket link to register. If you like these kinds of events, please consider supporting the Museum's programming by making a donation.

Support Sigal Music Museum

Part two of a six-part series titled “The Evolution of Cuban Music: Tracing Cuba’s Musical DNA.” Dive into the heartbeat of Cuba’s most iconic musical genres in Lecture 2: The Rise of Son, Danzón, and Rumba. This lively, interactive program traces how these defining styles emerged, evolved, and shaped Cuba’s cultural identity. Explore their musical architecture, the deep connection between dance and rhythm, and the traditions that continue to influence global music today.

Experience the music firsthand through live demonstrations, including son montuno piano patterns, rumba clave variations, and classic maracas rhythms. Multimedia clips will bring the genre history to life with authentic Danzón recordings and vibrant dance footage.

Participants will also receive helpful take-home materials—a genre comparison chart and an instrument family guide—to deepen understanding and enrich future listening.

This is a rhythmic, historical, and cultural journey you won’t want to miss.

This season of the Sigal Music Museum Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible by the generous sponsorship of The Woodlands at Furman.