- Casino (Cuban-style partner dance) and Rueda de Casino -
- Portland's only dedicated Casino program -
"Outside of the Cubans, [Rob is] one of the best Casino dancers in the United States."
Graduate of ENA (Cuba's National School of Dance)
Professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer who's performed internationally across Cuba, the USA, Europe, and Russia
Has worked with Cirque du Soleil and performed at the Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Congress
Currently based in Las Vegas, teaching at multiple top studios
Ready to dance Casino?
Level 1/2/3/Advanced
Focused material for each student
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About School of Rob
ROB, UNFILTERED:
"Hey, Brie… you know who you're sleeping with?"
— Rob, to his girlfriend, right before going to bed
Who the hell is this guy?
Rob Hilario fell down the Casino (Cuban-style partner dance) rabbit hole in September 2005 in the Bay Area and never bothered to climb out. He became an original member of Salsa Vale Todo in San Francisco in 2007, training and performing with the team until 2011.
Since then, Rob has chased Casino across the United States, Spain, Portugal, and Cuba, picking up the kind of details you simply don't get from YouTube or a "Cuban-inspired" salsa class on a Thursday night. Students and peers describe his dancing as "super clean" and "flawless." His Rueda de Casino calls and choreography show exactly how deep that obsession goes.
But here's what actually separates Rob from the rest: he teaches the system, not the shortcut. Partnering, angles, handwork, and footwork—all broken down so follows can express themselves and leads feel clear, intentional, and not chaotic, all while ensuring the safety of their follows. The goal isn't to give you a bag of random patterns and send you out into the world confused. The goal is to turn you into the kind of social dancer people actually want to dance with.
Rob moved to Portland in 2012 and has spent over a decade building a real Cuban Casino home in the Pacific Northwest—for dancers who are done settling for a "Cuban flavor" sprinkled on top of something else and are ready for the real thing.
Need a more detailed introduction to Casino? Check out Rob's blog post!
Any other questions? You can contact Rob directly.
Thanks to...
Rob would like to thank the following people who have influenced him the most in all facets of his life:
John Abiol, his uncle: For displaying the value of showing strength by staying calm and staying relaxed. Admittedly, it's something Rob's had to practice frequently. He's trying his best.
Dianna Abiol, his aunt: For showing him that he shouldn't take b.s. from anyone. May she rest in peace.
Louis Reynaud: For giving him the stern wake-up call, read: ass-kicking, when he really needed it, and showing him the value of hard work and tireless dedication.
Out of all the people Rob has ever met in his life, he's the one Rob owes the most to.
Duane Wrenn: For showing him Casino concepts he had never been shown before, and for sound advice on becoming an Instructor.
Mike Eskeldson: For displaying the value of showmanship and charisma while instructing and performing (another thing Rob is still working on), and for gently pushing Rob into teaching more in late 2011.
He owes you a ton of lunches, Mike.
Rumbanana Salsa Group: For planting the "Why don't you just move to Oregon" thought in Rob's head in October 2010, and for your full support on his move to Portland in April 2012.
Allison Lee: For being the voice of reason and professionalism, and for keeping him grounded. He may not listen all the time, but he's glad to know that voice is there!
Royland Lobato: For showing him how high-quality Guaguancó should be done.
Richenda Hawkins and Alana Dobner: For listening, being a confidant, and letting him crash in your spare room/couch whenever he really needed it.
Oh, and for all the trail mix and chocolate almond milk.
Anejo Productions and DJ Antonio: For providing the countless venues and quality Timba for Rob and other San Francisco Casineros to perfect their craft.
Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead: While Rob started his Casino training with other instructors, he didn't make "the leap" until he started training with the Directors of Rueda con Ritmo, both of whom increased his vocabulary and introduced different concepts to enhance his Casino.
and lastly, to salsanick: for Rob's first steps, and more importantly, for teaching him invaluable lessons about great leadership and class (read: what NOT to do).