Zenaida Armenteros Calvo

===BODY===
Dancer, singer and teacher of the purest Afro-Cuban traditions, she was born in Ciudad de la Habana in a humble working-class family. She barely completed primary education in order to contribute to family support by working as a servant in amateur artist programs.

Zenaida's artistic inclinations toward singing began in her childhood, in the school of the neighborhood where she was born: "El Cerro", where she also learned the old African dances.

She carries more than 40 years of artistic life on her shoulders. Nevertheless, her fame came to life from her debut in the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba founded by the celebrated Rogelio Martínez Furé in 1962. There she performed the principal roles as a dancer and distinguished herself as an extraordinary actress and magnificent singer, in addition to receiving the distinction Espejo de Paciencia, a provincial cultural institution, and the recognition Aché, from the Ballet Folclórico de Camagüey.

As a singer, dancer and now teacher of the new generations of artists who join the work of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional, Zenaida Armenteros is one of the pillars that sustain the development of Afro-Cuban culture.

She is a founder in 1962 of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba, with a background of participation as a singer in radio, television, theater, cabaret and cinema since 1946. She was a student of teachers of the caliber of Obdulio Morales, Luisa Barroso, Nieves Fresneda, Ramiro Guerra, Santiago Alfonso, Roberto Espinosa, Rolando Ferrer, Adolfo de Luis, Adolfo Llauradó, Eugenio Hernández Espinosa, Roberto Blanco and Berta Martínez among others.

She has been part of the classical works repertoire of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba and has performed a diversity of roles, from Corps de Ballet to achieving the rank of Principal Dancer, Principal Actress and Principal Singer of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional.

She has been a teacher of Singing in the Summer courses of the Faculty of Dance Arts of the Folklore Department of the Instituto Superior de Arte and has performed as a singer in the International FOLKCUBA events sponsored by the CFNC.

Currently she is Principal Dancer and Singer of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba and maintains an active repertoire of more than thirty works with which she has brought Cuban culture to more than forty countries.

Through her artistic work she has contributed to obtaining the following awards:
• Silver Izuta, in Arequipa, Perú
• Silver Tray, in Billingham, England
• Golden Barrel, at the Festival de Gijón, France
• Silver Collar, at the Festival de Gijón, France
• Golden Temple, in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
• National Dance Prize of Cuba for the year 2005.

CRITICS HAVE OPINED OF HER ART:
"The Great Star and Most Prominent Figure of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba and one of the greatest Cuban dancers of all time".

"The Most Complete Folklorist of our country for her condition as Most Prominent Dancer, Singer and Actress with more than half a century of glory for National Culture.

SHE HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DISTINCTIONS, ORDERS AND HONORS:
• Distinction for National Culture
• Nicolás Guillén Diploma, granted by UNEAC
• Gitana Tropical Diploma, granted by the Provincial Department of Culture of Ciudad de la Habana
• Medal "Raúl Gómez García"
• Medal Jesús Menéndez, from the National CTC
• Medal "Adolfo Guzmán"
• National Seal of Laureate Artists
• Medal Alejo Carpentier
• Diploma for Artistic Merit, conferred by the National Museum of Music
• Giraldilla de la Habana, from the Provincial Assembly of People's Power in Ciudad de la Habana
• Crown of Laurel and Trophy World Confederation of Karting, conferred by the Principality of Monaco, Montecarlo
• Artist of Merit of UNEAC

TRIBUTES PAID:
• At the Palacio de los Orishas de Madruga
• At the XII International Festival of Habaneras in la Habana
• The CFNC dedicated a Tribute Season to her
• Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the National Council of Performing Arts, a grand Artistic Gala was held for her in the "García Lorca" Hall of the Gran Teatro de la Habana on the occasion of her 50th anniversary of professional life
• On December 1st, 2001 the world of Dance paid her the deserved tribute upon completing 55 years of artistic life with words of praise from Master Fernando Alonso
• The Mella and América Theaters of Ciudad de la Habana have held performances in her honor
• She has recorded with great critical success the CD "Habaneras de Cuba", with the Spanish record label "PICAP". At this time she is preparing two new CDs at the request of this label and EGREM on the occasion of her 50 years in Afro-Cuban song
• She has participated in the filming of several films and documentaries
• She has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world and the most renowned stages have given standing ovations to her exceptional art
• Birthday/tribute organized by the firm "Habaguanex S.A.", at the haute couture house "La Bella Cubana"
• Tribute held in her honor by His Excellency the Ambassador of Angola in Cuba
• "Cuba" Gala Tribute. Opening "International Book Fair". la Habana 98.
• Honorary Diploma "For Artistic Merit in Cuban Music", granted by the National Library "José Martí" and its Chair of Cuban Music