Hear personally from Maitri Acharya, 2025 Flamenco Certamen USA Finalist and Juan Polvillo Scholarship Winner, on how the Certamen helped catapult her artistic development beyond the competition:

“I had the privilege of competing in the 2025 Flamenco Vivo Certamen Competition Estudio Level and was grateful to receive a scholarship to continue my training in Sevilla. When I applied, my focus was singular: to be accepted into the competition and perform at my highest level. At the time, that goal felt like the culmination of my aspirations, and I had not yet imagined what might come beyond Certamen.

I now see that the competition was not an endpoint, but the beginning of new opportunities and artistic growth. The experience encouraged me to think more broadly about my path, take creative risks, and pursue further development as an artist.

In the months that followed, I applied for local arts programs and am fortunate to be selected for the Durham Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant and the NC Dance Festival Artist-in-Residence Program. These opportunities grew, in part, from the confidence and credibility that the Certamen experience provided, reinforcing my commitment to the art form.

The momentum I gained through Certamen continues to shape my work. It has given me a renewed sense of purpose as I continue to train, create, and share my work with others.

I am grateful for all that the Certamen program offers participating artists—not only during the competition itself, but through the connections, inspiration, and opportunities that can emerge afterward. I hope many others will have the chance to experience that journey for themselves.”

For dancers interested in the journey, 2026 Flamenco Certamen USA applications are open now through Monday, June 29th at 11:59pm!