THE PEOPLE BEHIND CUBANISMS

Building Cultural Bridges Through Meaningful Travel

“Cubanisms was born from our desire to create something meaningful together — a project that would keep us deeply connected to Cuban culture while sharing its beauty, warmth, music, and humanity with travelers from around the world.

After moving to the United States, Dalida realized how little many Americans truly knew about Cuba beyond politics and stereotypes. Cubanisms became a way to create genuine cultural exchange through personal experiences and human connection.

At the same time, the project allowed us to support local Cuban artists, musicians, guides, and independent entrepreneurs by connecting travelers directly with the people and culture of Cuba.

Today, Cubanisms continues to build bridges between cultures through carefully curated experiences in both Cuba and France.”

A SHARED VISION

After moving to the United States from Cuba in 2015, Dálida and Michael began searching for a project they could build together — one that would combine their shared passion for culture, music, travel, and human connection.

At the same time, Dálida wanted to remain deeply connected to Cuba while helping others experience the country beyond politics and stereotypes. Together, they envisioned a project that would create genuine cultural exchange while also supporting Cuban artists, musicians, guides, families, and emerging private businesses.

By early 2016, Cubanisms welcomed its first travelers to Cuba.

What began as a deeply personal idea quickly evolved into a long-term cultural project connecting people through music, travel, education, and authentic human experiences.

Today, from their base in France, Dálida and Michael continue building cultural bridges between Cuba, France, the United States, and beyond.

DÁLIDA PUPO BARRIOS

Born in Cuba, Dálida brings more than 20 years of experience in economics, international business, and cultural production.

Her professional background includes work with:

• the Ministry of Economics of Cuba

• RTV Comercial, where she develop international media sales initiatives and did market research projects in Spain

• Ingeniería del Arte, collaborating with the Cuban Ministry of Culture on international Cuban art exhibitions

After relocating to the United States in 2015, she co-founded Cubanisms as a way to remain deeply connected to Cuban culture while creating meaningful cultural exchange experiences for international travelers.

Since moving to France in 2023, Dálida has continued expanding Cubanisms internationally while also working in the French real estate sector and developing new cultural initiatives in Europe.

MICHAEL MCCLINTOCK

Michael McClintock is a guitarist, composer, educator, and specialist in Brazilian and Cuban music.

With a background in classical guitar and advanced studies in jazz, flamenco, and Brazilian music, he has spent more than a decade deeply immersed in Cuban musical traditions and the Cuban Tres.

As founder and director of the Cubanisms ensemble, Michael has performed internationally and was invited to participate in the renowned Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana, Cuba. His recordings and artistic collaborations have received recognition in the United States, Cuba, and Europe.

In addition to his performance career, Michael has become widely respected for his educational work through workshops, private instruction, and online teaching. His music education YouTube channel has attracted an international audience of guitarists interested in Bossa Nova, Cuban music, Brazilian guitar, and Latin American musical traditions.

His work continues to build cultural bridges through performance, education, and artistic collaboration.

WHY WE CREATED CUBANISMS

Cubanisms was created from a desire to share the real warmth, humanity, music, and culture of Cuba beyond headlines and stereotypes.

After moving abroad, Dálida realized how little many people truly understood about Cuban life and culture. Together, we envisioned a project that would create genuine human connection through travel, music, food, art, and personal relationships.

At the same time, Cubanisms became a way to support local Cuban artists, guides, musicians, families, and independent businesses by connecting travelers directly with the people behind the culture.

TODAY

Today, Cubanisms organizes personalized cultural experiences, music-focused journeys, educational programs, artistic collaborations, and private travel services between Cuba, France, and beyond.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of guiding travelers, musicians, students, and cultural enthusiasts through deeply personal and unforgettable experiences.

A JOURNEY THAT CONTINUES

Over the past decade, Cubanisms has guided more than 30 groups to Cuba, creating meaningful cultural connections between travelers and the Cuban people. Many of those encounters have grown into lasting friendships that continue far beyond the journey itself.

Music has also remained at the heart of the project. Through the Cubanisms Ensemble, Michael McClintock has spent nearly a decade performing and sharing Cuban, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban musical traditions through original arrangements and cross-cultural collaborations. The ensemble received multiple nominations as Best Band in Kansas City, while Michael was repeatedly recognized among the city’s top musicians.

The group’s recordings received praise in the United States, Cuba, and Colombia, eventually leading to invitations to perform at the prestigious Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana — a musical relationship that has continued over the years.

Alongside Cubanisms, Michael has also developed an international audience through his educational work, original compositions, published guitar book, and widely followed online music instruction platform.

Beyond travel and music, Dálida and Michael also served as Cuban Commissioners for the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City, continuing their long-standing commitment to cultural exchange and community building.