El Pintor ~ Flamenco at The Lodge at Santa Fe

Flamenco
Santa Fe 2008

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Artists' Biographies

	Theresa Cardenas, producer, writer, director THERESA CARDENAS is a native of Santa Fe, NM, and was introduced to Spanish dance at the age of five by her mother, Elizabeth Serna de Cardenas, a classically trained Spanish dancer. Serna de Cardenas studied flamenco in San Francisco and returned to Santa Fe to open a Spanish dance studio. Theresa rekindled her studies in 1998 with flamenco master Antonio Hidalgo Paz of Cordoba, Spain, Pablo Rodarte and Lili del Castillo of Albuquerque. She has studied with artists such as Ramona Garduno of Santa Fe, Omayra Amaya, Juan Siddi of Barcelona, and she recently studied in Seville, Spain with Carmen Lozano. Theresa’s experience writing, producing and directing theater began in 2001 when she produced an original dance production, “El Cristo de Los Flamencos,” at the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque. Her second production was “El Poema de Cordoba,” which was staged at the James A Little Theater in Santa Fe in 2001. “El Cristo de Los Flamencos” was staged again in 2002 at the Kimo Theater and 2004 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. In 2004 she produced and published the original musical recording of El Pintor in Madrid, Spain, in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Antonio Hildago Paz of Cordoba, Spain. Theresa, a descendent of some of the original families that settled Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and a homebuilder. She is the author of the book, “Mujeres Valerosas”, a documentary about extraordinary contemporary women leaders in New Mexico. She is the president of the Board of the Institute for Spanish Arts, founded by María and Cecílio Benítez.
	Pablo Rodarte, choreographer MAESTRO PABLO RODARTE has dedicated 40 years of his life to the art of teaching and performing flamenco and Spanish Dance. He spent 25 years in Spain as a student, performer and teacher. He has traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia, and the US. His craftsmanship as a teacher and a coach has been highly valued by the University of New Mexico where he taught for 12 years as an adjunct professor. He was also the founder and director of the School of Flamenco & Spanish Dance and Company (Dance España) in Albuquerque. He now resides in Denver, Colorado where he continues to teach.
	Adriana Maresma Fois, dancer ADRIANA MARESMA FOIS' unique fire and elegance are what have marked her style and personality as a world-class flamenco dancer. Her impassioned performances and choreographies have conquered stages throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe including New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, Lisboa’s Gran Casino, Vancouver’s Flamenco Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Andalucia Directo Television (Spain), Milan’s Teatro Litta, and Zurich Teatrehaus. She has been a soloist for the company Flamencos Enroute, based in Switzerland, for the last eight years, and has co-founded her own company, El Amor Brujo, based in Italy. Adriana’s vast professional experience has given her the opportunity to work with celebrated artists including María Benítez, Susana DiPalma, Joaquín Ruíz, Plácido Domingo, Carmen Linares, José Greco, Angel Muñoz, The Boston Pops, Enrique El Extremeño, and Antonio “ El Pipa”. Adriana received her BA in Photography and Dance from the University of New Mexico, studying with well known professors Eva Enciñias Sandoval and Pablo Rodarte. Adriana is excited to return to New Mexico, her roots, performing once again in Santa Fe — where she started with María Benítez Teatro Flamenco — in the world premiere of El Pintor. She now resides in Jerez, Spain.
	Elena Osuna, dancer ELENA OSUNA began her study of flamenco six years ago with Eva Encinias-Sandoval at the University of New Mexico. Shortly afterwards she became a member of Alma Flamenca, a pre-professional company directed by Eva Encinias-Sandoval. She performed on many occasions with Alma Flamenca, including the Festival of the States in 2000 in Washington, D.C. After her experience with Alma Flamenca, she studied in Spain. Elena spent three months studying in Granada and then nine months in Sevilla studying with Farrucos and Juana Amaya. On her return to the United States, she performed in the show, Roots of Hip-Hop in New York as well as for the opening of Chich Marin’s art show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Elena is a graduate of University of New Mexico, with majors in Dance and Spanish. She is also currently an apprentice dancer with Yjastros, a National Flamenco Repertory directed by Joaquin Encinias.
	Maritza Tarfur, dancer MARITZA TARFUR, an Arizona native, began studying flamenco in 1996 in Northern Arizona with Lea Vivante. She continued her studies in New Mexico with flamenco master, Pablo Rodarte and danced with his company, Pablo Rodarte’s Dance España from 2002 until 2006. Maritza has studied with artists such as Alfonso, “El Veneno” Gabarri, Marija Temo, Omayra Amaya, Rebeca Carmona, and La Tani. She has toured with Juan Siddi in Santa Fe, NM and throughout the Southwest as a member of his company. Maritza is a licensed occupational therapist working with adults and children with developmental and learning disabilities. She teaches flamenco to children and adults and is the director of Dance España in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
	Calvin Hazen, composer, principal guitarist CALVIN HAZEN is from Taos, New Mexico and now resides in Madrid, Spain. He has performed at the famous Tablo Coral de la Moreria and Casa Patas alongside such noted artists as Jeronimo Maya, Carmela Greco, Felipe Maya, and Curro de Jerez among others. He has composed and performed with numerous companies internationally including Suite Espanola, for which he garnered critical acclaim both in Spain and abroad. He was an accompanist and instructor at the University of New Mexico Dance Department and Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque. Recently, he worked as the musical director for Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo Spanish Dance Company in New York. He is the composer and principle guitarist for the original music in El Pintor.
	Vicente Griego "El Cartucho", singer VICENTE GRIEGO “El Cartucho” is from Dixon/Embudo, New Mexico and has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto and Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. He remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales. Vicente Griego has performed with Encinas Yjastros National Flamenco Company for the last six years and continues to tour the US.
	Francisco Javier Orozco, "El Yiyi", percussionist, singer FRANCSICO JAVIER OROZCO, “El Yiyi” was born in Barcelona of an Andalusian family, was introduced to flamenco rhythms at the age of four. He was trained by his father, flamenco singer Joselon de Jerez, in his Spanish peña named “Peña Fosforito.” A child prodigy of percussion, Yiyi began his professional career at the age of 12 and at the age of 17, he recorded his first CD signed a contract with the company Flamenco Rubio. Since then, he has performed with top dance companies, such as Compania Flamenca Alhama throughout Europe and Japan, and with internationally-acclaimed Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco on Broadway and throughout the U.S. He has performed with accomplished artists such as Domingo Ortega, Jose Greco II, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, El Toleo, El Pelao, Maria Serrano, La Tania, Antonio Granjero, and world-renowned guitarist Serranito. Critics worldwide have quoted Yiyi’s performance as “fiery,” “riveting,” and his percussion techniques executed with “machine-gun speed that possesses and casts a spell.”
	Ricardo Anglada, guitarist RICARDO ANGLADA, a native of Northern New Mexico, began playing guitar at age 12. In 2003 Anglada won 1st place in the Festival Flamenco Internacional Concurso. Under the studies of first his father, Ricardo later studied with Jose "Chuscales" Valle and other flamenco artists such as Pedro Cortes, Santiago Aguilar, Anton Jimenez, Pedro Sierra and other local flamenco artists. He works with the flamenco program at the University of New Mexico and at the National Institute of Flamenco under the direction of Eva Encinias-Sandoval. Ricardo is currently the guitarist for the American Flamenco Repertory Company, “Yjastros” under the direction of Joaquin Encinias. Ricardo has worked with many flamenco artisits and groups throughout his career and works closely alongside his cousin Vicente Griego, flamenco singer. In 2007 Ricardo co-starred in the film “Cante Jondo” directed by Lewis Teague. While acting in this film he also plays and sings Flamenco music. Ricardo has become one of the most sought after guitarists in the southwest. With his passion for flamenco song, dance, and music, Ricardo is a powerful performer and promises to be one of America's top flamenco artists yet to come. Ricardo says that without God none of his achievements would be possible.