Company – Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

the company

Founded in 1983, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana is one of America’s premier flamenco companies with home bases in New York City and Durham, NC. We reach more than 30,000 people nationwide each year through inclusive programs that entertain, educate and empower. Our mission is to promote flamenco as a living art form and a vital part of Hispanic heritage; produce and perform high quality dance works; provide arts education programs that catalyze connections among young people; and nurture the next generations of Spanish dance artists and educators. We believe that the universal spirit of flamenco – with diverse influences from Roma, Arabic, Jewish, Spanish, African and Latin American cultures – gives this art form a unique power to build bridges between people.

the company

DANCERS MUSICIANS TEACHING ARTISTS

Founded in 1983, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana is one of America’s premier flamenco companies with home bases in New York City and Durham, NC. We reach more than 30,000 people nationwide each year through inclusive programs that entertain, educate and empower. Our mission is to promote flamenco as a living art form and a vital part of Hispanic heritage; produce and perform high quality dance works; provide arts education programs that catalyze connections among young people; and nurture the next generations of Spanish dance artists and educators. We believe that the universal spirit of flamenco – with diverse influences from Arab, Jewish, Roma, Spanish, African and Latin American cultures – gives this art form a unique power to build bridges between people.

FLAMENCO
VIVO

DANCERS

FLAMENCO
VIVO

DANCERS

Associate Artistic Director

emilio ochando

BIO

Emilio was born in Valencia and began his training at the age of nine. At 12 he collaborated with the National Ballet of Spain and at 16 moved to Madrid continuing his training and finishing his studies at the The Royal Professional Conservatory of Madrid “Mariemma.” He has performed with the Companies of Domingo Ortega, Inma Ortega, Malucos Danza, Nuevo Ballet Español (Rojas and Rodríguez), and Aida Gómez and performed in various tablaos, nationally and internationally. In 2013 he created his own Company and produced works such as: 3DEUNO and SIROCO. He has choreographed for the Rafael Aguilar Company and for the production of “Oh Cuba” in Granada at the Generalife. He choreographed Romeo and Juliet for the EBB Company, and “Sin Duda.” for the latest production of the Royal Professional Conservatory “Marienma.” He performs workshops and masterclasses traveling to the United States, Canada, London, and Europe. During his career he has received many awards: 1st prize in the international contest of Spanish dance and flamenco city of Almeria. First prize Talentmadrid 2016 and First prize in the Certamen de Baile Español y Flamenco in Madrid in 2016. In 2018, he was a candidate for the 2018 MAX awards for a best male performance and a best new show for SIROCO. Presently he is performing as guest artist and touring with his latest 3DEUNO and SIROCO shows. He has performed in festivals such as the Jerez Festival, Suzanne Dellal Festival, and Flamenco Madrid Festival, among others.

Associate Artistic Director

emilio ochando

BIO

DANCER

fanny ara

BIO

Fanny Ara is an internationally-sought after and award-winning choreographer, performer and instructor. Her most dedicated worldwide fans especially credit her as one of the driving forces of flamenco today; an artist excelling in the full spectrum of flamenco, from the most traditional to the avant-garde. Fanny has been an invited artist in national and international festivals and has toured extensively in Canada, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and throughout Europe. She has been distinguished since 2006 with nominations from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards in the categories of Most Outstanding Individual Dancer, Most Outstanding Music, Ensemble, and Individual Performance for her project, Juncal Street, and Best Ensemble for her work with the San Francisco Opera in La Traviata. New York’s Vilcek Foundation also awarded Fanny a prestigious finalist prize for “Creative Promise in Dance” in 2012. Fanny’s versatility in the art form of flamenco is manifested in her many artistic works. As Philip Gardner said of her performance at the Joyce Theater in New York City “My newest love is Fanny Ara…the captivating expressive qualities of Fanny’s upper body mesmerized us while her footwork dazzled both the eye and the ear…she soared into the upper most echelon of dance artists I have witnessed over the years.”

DANCER

fanny ara

BIO

DANCER / CHOREOGRAPHER

josé maldonado

BIO

José Maldonado was born in Barcelona and received his degree in Spanish Dance and Flamenco from the Professional Conservatory there. At 18 he moved to Madrid and studied with María Magdalena, Paco Romero and La China who helped form him and dedicate himself to flamenco. He became a member of different companies each with its own style from the most traditional to the most contemporary: Javier Latorre, Antonio Canales, María Pagés, Blanca Li, Guito, Rocío Molina, Rafaela Carrasco, Marco Flores, Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, and Carlos Chamorro. At the same time Maldonado continued his development performing at various tablaos: Casa Patas, Corral de la Morería, Café de Chinitas, Villa Rosa y las Carboneras. José received first prize for best solo choreography (2013) and group choreography (2015) at the Madrid Certamen de Danza Española y Flamenco. Maldonado has worked with Guadalupe Torres and Manuel Liñan, acting as assistant to direction and choreography. He produced his first full work Andrea in 2014. In 2016 he collaborated with Antonio Canales and Carmen Angulo to produce Bodegon, fusing dance, baroque music, and painting with flamenco. Bodegon has toured to France and Mexico. José also paints, and he has done title pages for performance programs and has creates designs for costumes.

DANCER / CHOREOGRAPHER

josé maldonado

BIO

DANCER / CHOREOGRAPHER

karen lugo

BIO

Karen Lugo is a Mexican dancer, knowledgeable and respectful of tradition and at the same time restless and innovative. She has participated as soloist in the Festival de Jerez, Festival Sangre Nueva Jóvenes Flamencos del Teatro Español de Madrid, in the series Flamencos y Mestizos de la Fundación SGAE, in the Festival Flamenco Ibérica Contemporánea, in the series Concierta Independencia in the Lunario del Auditorio Nacional de la Ciudad de México, Festival Flamenco de Vancouver, Festival Flamenco de Montreal, Festival Flamenco Ciudad de Jaén, Festival Flamenco Madrid and Festival Flamenco de Saintes, among many others. In collaboration with the Casa Patas Flamenco Foundation, she has premiered three shows; “Flamencura”, “Flamenco Territorio DeMente” and “Flamenco Frequencies” with tours in the Middle East and the United States. As a choreographer she has been awarded with Best Choreography award Spring Film Festival of Barcelona, First Prize for Flamenco Dance at the International Festival of Almeria, First Prize for Choreography at the Contemporary Flamenco Festival of Finland and Third Prize for Choreography at the XVII Certamen de Danza Española y Flamenco de Madrid. Under the direction of Javier Latorre, she participated in the film “Flamenco Flamenco” by Carlos Saura, and in ¨FLAMENCONAUTAS¨ and ¨Lorca x Bach¨. Her latest show is entitled ¨Golpe de Tierra” (Nominated for the Premis de la Crítica d’Arts Escéniques in the category of best solo show). She currently participates as choreographer and performer of ¨Caminos ¨ by Juan Gómez Chicuelo, ¨Cant Espiritual ¨ by Carles Denia, ¨CAYANA¨ by Anna Colom, ¨El Amir Ensemble ¨ by Amir Haddad, and in ¨Por Bach¨(Innovation Award GEMA 2020 ) by Hippocampus with Jorge Pardo.

DANCER / CHOREOGRAPHER

karen lugo

BIO

Karen Lugo a Mexican dancer, knowledgeable and respectful of tradition and at the same time restless and innovative. She has participated as soloist in the Festival de Jerez, Festival Sangre Nueva Jóvenes Flamencos del Teatro Español de Madrid, in the series Flamencos y Mestizos de la Fundación SGAE, in the Festival Flamenco Ibérica Contemporánea, in the series Concierta Independencia in the Lunario del Auditorio Nacional de la Ciudad de México, Festival Flamenco de Vancouver, Festival Flamenco de Montreal, Festival Flamenco Ciudad de Jaén, Festival Flamenco Madrid and Festival Flamenco de Saintes, among many others. In collaboration with the Casa Patas Flamenco Foundation, she has premiered three shows; “Flamencura”, “Flamenco Territorio DeMente” and “Flamenco Frequencies” with tours in the Middle East and the United States. As a choreographer she has been awarded with Best Choreography award Spring Film Festival of Barcelona, First Prize for Flamenco Dance at the International Festival of Almeria, First Prize for Choreography at the Contemporary Flamenco Festival of Finland and Third Prize for Choreography at the XVII Certamen de Danza Española y Flamenco de Madrid. Under the direction of Javier Latorre, she participated in the film “Flamenco Flamenco” by Carlos Saura, and in ¨FLAMENCONAUTAS¨ and ¨Lorca x Bach¨. Her latest show is entitled ¨Golpe de Tierra” (Nominated for the Premis de la Crítica d’Arts Escéniques in the category of best solo show). She currently participates as choreographer and performer of ¨Caminos ¨ by Juan Gómez Chicuelo, ¨Cant Espiritual ¨ by Carles Denia, ¨CAYANA¨ by Anna Colom, ¨El Amir Ensemble ¨ by Amir Haddad, and in ¨Por Bach¨(Innovation Award GEMA 2020 ) by Hippocampus with Jorge Pardo.

DANCER

laura peralta

BIO

Laura Peralta is a flamenco dancer and native New Yorker with Afro-Dominican roots. She dances for companies including: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, Soledad Barrio y Noche Flamenca, A Palo Seco Flamenco, Nelida Tirado Flamenco, Pasión y Arte, Omayra Amaya Flamenco Dance Company, and Isaac Tovar Compañia Flamenca. Laura graduated from the Johns Hopkins University, studied classical piano for a decade at the Manhattan School of Music and was a scholarship recipient at the School at Jacob’s Pillow. She was selected for MNE’s Emerging Choreographer Series in 2021 and chosen as the returning choreographer in 2022 . Peralta has presented work at the Queensborough Dance Festival and her original choreography “Rondeña” is featured in Flamenco Vivo’s dance film “6Hilos”. Laura has imparted masterclasses at numerous university dance programs, including at the Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive. She has performed in Spain, Holland and throughout the US at venues including the Delacorte Theater, the Rockefeller Estate, Kaatsbaan Cultural Center, NWS Symphony Orchestra, BAM Fisher Hall, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Outside Festival and the Joyce Theater. She was recently featured in a production of “Carmen” at Lincoln Center, and in “Amor Brujo” alongside choreographer Isaac Tovar, dancer Irene Lozano and cantaora Esperanza Fernandez. She currently tours nationally and teaches in NYC.

DANCER

laura peralta

BIO

DANCER

lorena franco

BIO

Lorena began studying dance at the age of five in her home town of Cordoba. She continued her studies there until 2005 when she received a grant to study with the well-known Maestro Granero in Seville. There she also studied with Andrés Marín, Isabel Bayón, Rocío Coral, Matilde Coral, Rubén Olmo, Antonio Canales, Rafael Campallo, Encarna López, Adela Campallo and Eva Yerbabuena, among others. She began her professional career with Eva Yerbabuena in 2006 and worked with her until 2017 as rehearsal director. She then worked with other companies such as Daniel Navarro, Javier Latorre, Andrés Peña, Álvaro Paños, among others. She has worked as soloist in productions of Agustín Carbonell “el Bola” and Manuel Cuevas. She also performs frequently as soloist in tablaos such as Los Gallos in Seville, Las Tablas in Madrid, Los Tarantos and Las Ramblas in Barcelona and in Japan.

DANCER

lorena franco

BIO

DANCER

yoel vargas

BIO

Yoel Vargas was born in Tarragona in 2003, began his studies at nine, training in Spanish Dance, Classical, Contemporary and Flamenco with local artists, then completing his training in Madrid and Granada with: Antonio Canales, Belén López, Rubén Olmo, Maria Juncal, Alfonso Losa, La Lupi, and José “El Indio.” In 2017 he entered the Professional Dance Conservatory of the Institut del Teatre, in Barcelona graduating in 2021. In 2018 he participated in the Amor De Dios Studio 4 Nights and in 2019, joined the Angel Rojas Company. In 2020 Yoel was awarded the Outstanding Dancer at the Certamen Coreográfico de Madrid. In 2021, he received the Dávalos-Fletcher Foundation Award with his choreography “Malagueña.” Yoel joined the Manuel Liñan Company with the show “VIVA!!!” touring major cities around the world. In 2022, he participated in “Buzón de baile” and recorded “Pertenencia” for Radio 3, RTVE, and premiered “REYERTA” at the historic street festival GATADANS, Madrid. In 2023, he directed and choreographed “Flamenco, Tablao” at the festival Sona Flamenc, and he often performs at Tablao El Cordobés, Tablao Las Carboneras, and Tablao Corral de la Morería. Most important, Vargas, at the age of 19, receives the “El Desplante” Award at the 62nd edition of the renowned and prestigious Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas, August 2023.

DANCER

yoel vargas

BIO

FLAMENCO
VIVO

MUSICIANS

GUITARIST

calvin hazen

BIO

Calvin Hazen has relocated to the United States after 20 years of living and working as a professional guitarist in Madrid, Spain. During this time, he performed at some of the most famous Flamenco Tablaos in Spain, including El Corral de La Moreria, Casa Patas, Las Carboneras, Las Tablas and El Teatro Arenal. Here he shared the stage with such illustrious artists as Jesus Carmona, Nino de los Reyes, Karime Amaya, Manuel Liñan, Carmen “La Talegona,” and Belen Lopez to name but a few. He has performed at some of the most prestigious theatres in the U.S. as well as internationally including Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, Teatro Nacional in Mexico City and Teatro Madrid in Spain where his performances have enjoyed enthusiastic critical acclaim. He has worked as musical director and composer for numerous companies including Suite Española, Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo and Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco. He is a regular performer and instructor for Festival Flamenco, Albuquerque. Calvin has worked as instructor and accompanist/composer in the Theatre and Dance Department at UNM. Most recently, he collaborated with Spanish pop icon PABLO ALBORAN on the recording of “Terral”, the 5-time platinum selling record which enjoyed 11 straight weeks as Spain’s number one selling record.

GUITARIST

calvin hazen

BIO

PERCUSSION / SINGER

francisco orozco

BIO

Francisco “Yiyi” Orozco comes from an Andalusian family, born in Barcelona, and was introduced to Flamenco rhythms at the tender age of four. Yiyi was trained by flamenco singer and father “Joselón de Jerez” in his Spanish peña named “Peña Fosforito.” Considered a child prodigy of percussion Yiyi began his professional career at the age of twelve. By age seventeen, and one CD later, he became more involved with singing, and left Spain for Germany on a long-term contract with the company “Flamenco Rubio.” Since that time he has performed with “Compañia Flamenca Alhama” throughout Europe and Japan; with María Benitez “Teatro Flamenco” and Domingo Ortega as well as at “Casa Patas” in Madrid; with Jose Greco II; and with world-renowned guitarist Serranito. He has also performed with Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, El Toleo, El Pelao, María Serrano, La Tania and Antonio Granjero.

PERCUSSION / SINGER

francisco orozco

BIO

GUITARIST / COMPOSER

josé luis de la paz

BIO

José is an award-winning guitarist: a composer, virtuoso, and performer whose original compositions range from the most traditional to the most experimental forms in flamenco music. Following the oral traditions of the form, he became the prized pupil of the legendary Mario Escudero at the age of 15. In 1995 he appeared in Felix Grande’s book “Agenda Flamenca” as one of the best guitarists in Spain. The unique versatility of José Luis allows him to navigate the dazzling ocean of flamenco, from the accompaniment of singers and dancers to demanding waters of songwriting and solo performance. He was the musical director and composer for the Ballet Cristina Hoyos for ten years (the star of Carlos Saura’s films) and his collaborations, Siudy Garrido, José Mercé, Concha Buika, Belén Maya, Farruquito, Antonio Canales, La Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and The Los Angeles Philharmonic LA Phil, among other figures, they speak eloquently of his distinguished artistic personality. While his practice is rooted in the traditional flamenco, Jose Luis’ work goes far and beyond the flamenco parameters, his music cannot be just labeled as flamenco, but as world music, this can be seen in one of his latest collaborations with the composer Colin Farish on his work “East of the Evening Star”. His commitment to his practice, his profound knowledge of the tradition and the roots combined with the desire for research and experimentation, and his contemporary approach to flamenco music, gives Jose Luis a powerful potential to be considered as one of the best guitarists of today.

GUITARIST / COMPOSER

josé luis de la paz

BIO

SINGER

manuel soto

BIO

Manuel Soto was born in Jerez de la Frontera in the heart of a family of artists from the Barrio de Santiago. His professional career began at the age of 10, as a flamenco dancer in the Dance Academy of Manuela Carpio. At 16, he left flamenco to become the vocalist of a Rock band called “Plashe” After several years of academic training, he returned to the world of art to devote himself to singing. He has worked with the pianist Rosario Montoya “La Reina Gitana” in her shows from 2003- 2009 highlighting the performances in the World Fair of Flamenco (Seville), Caixa Forum (Barcelona), Fiesta de la Buleria (Jerez) and X Festival de Jerez. In 2008, he toured the Italian peninsula with shows directed by Maria Luisa Sereno Lozano “Chiqui de Jerez.” In the same year he traveled to the United States with José Porcel in the show “Libre Albedrío,” performing in concerts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Bronx Museum of the Arts among others. He has performed with: Carlos Carbonell’s Company participating in the Festival de Lille (France 2008) and in the XIII edition of the Festival de Jerez (2009), with Antonio and Silvia Perujo Company and in the Company of Andrés Peña and Pilar Ogalla. From 2019 until today, he is part of “Maestros Flamenco Online” directed by Manuel Betanzos, an online platform to teach flamenco courses worldwide. He is the official cantaor of the bailaor Eduardo Guerrero. In 2022 he was singer for the bailaor Juan Fernandez’s “De los Puertos” in the Festival de Jerez. He works in flamenco tablaos Casa de la Memoria, El Arenal, Corral de la Morería, and Casa Patas.