Our Team

Laura Quincy Jones is a painter and teacher who was so fascinated by the beauty, people, and complications of Cuba that she decided to move there in 2017. Initially working on illustration, she also began teaching English, learning some Spanish and salsa dancing, and leading small groups of artistically-minded visitors. In Havana, Laura got to know her neighbors, many inspiring Cuban friends, and her great husband Yasser Torriente Rodriguez. Laura and Yasser hosted various group trips and gave birth to their daughter, Rosa, in Havana during the five years they lived there. In 2021 Laura, Yasser and Rosa moved back to Cambridge, MA and now enjoy long visits to Cuba, where they still have a home.

Before coming to Cuba, Laura spent years living and working on farms in Australia as well as slow-traveling through Japan and Russia, producing a lot of illustrations along the way. In the Boston area, she has worked on education policy and taught literacy in inner-city high schools and community colleges, gardening in the juvenile justice system, and painting in adult education centers. Her professional background and lifelong commitment are to urban education. Laura holds degrees from Brown, Cambridge, and Tufts universities. Still, some of her best teachers have been her students, her international friends… and her daughter and husband. 

Laura is founder and lead organizer for CAA.  With groups, she co-leads daily activities, coordinates a great staff, and runs drawing/painting workshops around Havana.

Find more of Laura's artwork and projects at www.lauraquincyjones.com.

Yasser was born in Havana and completed his education and early professional career as a mechanical engineer in Cuba. Speaking English was a skill his education-oriented family supported, and he’s been an avid armchair traveler since childhood, studying the world beyond Cuba by reading and meeting international friends. As an engineer, Yasser worked for years as an industrial maintenance specialist in national petroleum plants for years. He’s an excellent dancer and cook, nature-lover, fun Dad and anchor for his whole family. Now living with Laura and Rosa in Cambridge, MA, Yasser is preparing to start a Master’s in Engineering course.

With Cuba Art Adventures, Yasser loves introducing visitors to beautiful Cuba, sharing a wealth of knowledge and a sense of fun. It’s invaluable to have a Cuban helping run the company, to make decisions informed by an on-the-ground understanding of how things work in Cuba and how to help our visitors have a great experience. In the Boston area, Yasser and Laura enjoy leading one-night events about Cuban culture and travel at local adult education and community centers. He can also be found at the center of a happy group of Cubans dancing Cuban salsa in some plazas around Cambridge!

Ingrit is a fantastic tour guide, introducing scores of visitors to the best of Cuba for many years. She works for Cuban state as well as independent tour groups, and before that got her degree in French and English education at the Enrique José Varona Pedagogical Institute. Visitors have nothing but great things to say about how helpful, capable, and diplomatic Ingrit is as she navigates seamless tours and looks after the group’s needs. An intelligent, knowledgable, and approachable guide, Ingrit is easy to engage with and will make you feel comfortable asking whatever is on your mind.

With CAA, Ingrit leads city tours and group conversations as our Lead Guide. We’re lucky to have her!

Ihosvany is a dynamic, experienced guide who has introduced many happy CAA visitors to Havana and its surrounds. He is responsible, knowledgeable, resourceful, and honest - an interesting person to get to know as your window into Cuban life.

Yusel is an English teacher in Habana, giving beginner-level lessons to children, teenagers, and adults in their homes.  He also hosts daytrips with a successful project he started, called HabanaAndando. 

From a family of educators, Yusel’s strength as a teacher and guide is his positivity in encouraging communication and helping people be their best selves in Havana. He’s famous in his neighborhood for being respectful to everyone and responsible about his commitments, always with a huge smile. Although he’s serious while he’s working, Yusel loves to dance and enjoy sharing time with good friends.

For CAA, Yusel runs day tours and guided activities.

Dayana is a professor of Spanish as a Second Language. She completed her degree in Philology at the Central University of the Cities in Villa Clara, Cuba, and has worked for six years in the Preparatory Faculty of the University of Medical Sciences in Havana teaching her language to students from various countries studying medicine in Cuba. In addition to teaching, she loves to read, cook, and spend as much time as possible with her family, her husband and wonderful friends.

For CAA, Dayana teaches group and individual Spanish language classes.