Olivia Gonzalez Raga

Olivia Gonzalez Raga is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher who graduated from the National School of Art in Havana, Cuba, in 2013. She began her training at the Afro-Cuban dance company JJ, where she completed her pre-professional practice. Upon graduation, Olivia spent four years dancing with Retazos Dance Theater, performing in festivals such as Habana Vieja Ciudad en Movimiento in Cuba, as well as international events in Canada, Uruguay, and the United States. She was also part of Transits – Havana, a global dance collaboration between Sweden and Cuba.

After relocating to Chicago in 2016, Olivia continued to expand her artistic career with Concert Dance, Inc. She joined Hedwig Dances in 2018, where she toured internationally to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus, performing works inspired by the architectural style and The Triadisches Ballett by Oskar Schlemmer. During her time with the company, Olivia also taught Cuban-style modern dance at a summer intensive in 2019.

Olivia teaches contemporary and Afro-Cuban dance at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts and contributed choreography for the 2024 spring show. She was also part of The International Dance Experience summer intensive in 2021. Her Afro-Cuban choreographed piece for the adult program at Ruth Page was presented at See Chicago Dance. Olivia continues to teach and choreograph at the Ruth Page Center and collaborates with Hedwig Dances as a guest artist.