HAVANA MUSIC TOURS · OUR TEAM

Meet the people
behind the music.

Our team in Cuba brings together musicians, educators and local hosts who connect you with the music and look after you throughout your trip.

Different departures are led by different members of our team. Ask us about the hosts for the tour you have in mind.

OUR TEAM IN CUBA

Musical knowledge. Local connections.

Ismelys Quevedo

Ismelys Quevedo

Cuba tour leader & logistics manager

A Havana-based musician, music teacher and event producer, Ismelys trained in oboe performance, ensemble practice and music theory education. Alongside leading tours, she helps organize music events in Havana, bringing knowledge of both the music and the people who make it.

Miguel Zequeira

Miguel Zequeira

Cuba tour leader & music educator

Miguel is a choir director and music professor trained at Cuba’s University of the Arts. His work as a performer and educator gives him a distinctive way of sharing Cuban music—connecting what you hear with the people, stories and traditions behind it.

THE FOUNDERS

The musical point of view behind HMT

Chaz and Yami founded Havana Music Tours around a shared love of Cuban music. Their musical backgrounds continue to shape its direction and the work of the wider team.

Chaz Chambers

Chaz Chambers

Founder, director & drummer

Chaz is a professional drummer and composer whose first trip to Cuba in 2017 led to Havana Music Tours. His background as a touring musician informs the company’s musical direction, artist relationships and approach to designing travel around live music.

Yami Cabrera

Yami Cabrera

Co-director & Cuban musicologist

Yami is a Cuban musicologist and a graduate of the Instituto Superior de Arte. Her work at Cuba’s National Music Research Center, Cidmuc, and her research, writing and industry experience inform how HMT shares Cuban music and culture. As co-director, she helps shape itineraries, marketing and content, with support for trip planning, logistics and customer service.

Read the Havana Music Tours story →

The people are what travelers remember

Recent guests and returning travelers describe the local knowledge, musical perspective and thoughtful care behind their trips. These are excerpts and summaries of their Tripadvisor reviews.

Local hosts who welcome you in

“Our guide was familiar with many of the hosts at the restaurants and music venues. She introduced us to her contacts there.”

Review summary: MeL’s review makes Ismelys’ local relationships tangible: she introduced the travelers to hosts at restaurants and music venues, including meals in musicians’ homes. Ismelys and Alberto supported the group from airport arrival through the week. The guest also valued a balanced schedule combining city history, art, dance and music with time to rest.

MeL K · May 2026Read the full review on Tripadvisor ↗

A team guests return to

“Chaz and Yami have put together a great team of knowledgeable, helpful, and kind people. HMT is the best!”

Review summary: After enjoying Jazz Plaza with HMT, Mark and his wife returned for the Salsa Festival. Rocío, a musicologist they had met on the earlier trip, helped personalize museum visits, dance lessons, a music-school visit and restaurants. She explained the bands across four festival nights and joined in the dancing. Mark’s praise of Chaz and Yami is grounded in the knowledgeable, caring local team they assembled.

Mark S · March 2025Read the full review on Tripadvisor ↗

Musicians sharing the music

“One of our party is a composition student, and some of the rest of us are also musicians—she spoke our language!”

Review summary: Dennis arranged an evening for seven adults and teenagers, including musicians and a composition student. Chaz helped organize the details remotely; in Havana, Ismelys connected with the group as an oboist, pianist and music educator. Dennis describes knowledgeable conversation over dinner, an engaging concert and Ismelys’ attention throughout the evening and return to their casa.

Dennis H · August 2023Read the full review on Tripadvisor ↗

Meet the people behind Havana Music Tours, including our tour leaders in Cuba. Different departures are led by different members of our team, with independent musicians, artists and other hosts contributing to the program.

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice awards: 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026

Travelers’ Choice.
Four years running.

2023–2026 · 5.0 on Tripadvisor

Let’s find your Cuba music tour

Join a small-group departure or talk with our team about a private trip built around your interests.