Welcome to Theatre Flamenco

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	Classes & Educational Programs: \| Winnipeg \| Toronto \| Ottawa

Artists/Instructors
	Claudia Carolina Founder & Director of Theatre Flamenco Dance Collective, Guest Instructor Claudia Carolina has devoted her life to dance. She is one of Canada’s great Flamenco treasures. a powerful dancer and the nation's most esteemed flamenco choreographer. Her early studies include ballet and related subjects at the National Ballet School and music at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She studied composition at the University of Toronto under John Weinsweiz and Oscar Morawitz and Early Childhood Music under Donna Wood. Claudia is also a graduate of the Toronto Teachers College. After school, she lived in Spain for many years studying with such great artists and teachers as Manolete, Ricardo (El Veneno), La Tati and Paco Fernandez. Miss Carolina has worked and toured extensively in the tablaos and concert halls of Spain, Europe, the Middle East, USA and Canada. She spent two years in New York City working at the New York City Opera and appeared regularly at “Le Chateu” the city's leading Flamenco venue. Upon her return to Canada, she formed Theatre Flamenco and presently acts as its Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer. She has taught for the University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Appleby College, the University of Calgary, Alberta Ballet School of Dance and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary. In 1999 Claudia choreographed and performed in “Misa Flamenca”, the first Canadian produced Flamenco mass. This visionary project was toured again in 2001. “Mariposa”, a fusion work containing elements of Flamenco, Spanish classical dance and modern dance was invited to participate at the 2004 Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa. It was the first time Flamenco had been included in their programme. In 2007-2008, Theatre Flamenco presented "Tres Mujeres" - the stories of three women from the tragedies of Garcia Lorca, with flamenco guitarist Dominique Soulard and singer Marie Helène Raby. The vocal ensemble "Madrigaïa" wove folksongs collected by Lorca from his native Andalucía, around and through these haunting tales. Miss Carolina travels throughout Canada performing, choreographing and teaching as well as regularly taking groups of students to Spain for intensive Flamenco studies. She makes her home in Toronto.

\	Claire Marchand Flamenco Dancer, Winnipeg Studio Founder and Director ''One of Canada's leading proponents of this artform" - Winnipeg Free Press Recently hailed for the “soulful intensity” she brought to her solo dance performance La Maja (May 2005), Claire Marchand stands out as one of Canada’s leading Flamenco Artists. She was part of the first Flamenco piece to be performed at the Canada Dance Festival (2004) and a dancer in many productions with the dance collective Theatre Flamenco, (Artistic Director Claudia Carolina) such as Misa Flamenca, Flamenco En Vivo, Encuentro and Puertos (Director Maritel Centurion). Following early studies with Carmen Infante and Claudia Carolina, Claire studies annually in Spain with such legends as El Güito, La Cíntia, Manolete, young masters Belen Maya and Belen Fernandez among others. She has taught for the professional program at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and private students in Madrid & Jerez de la Frontera, Spain as well as many students across Canada.
Associated Artists
	Jim Shewchuk Flamenco Guitarist Jim Shewchuk began playing Flamenco guitar in 1984 and has been entranced by the art form ever since. His style shows a reverence for the early masters of Flamenco guitar such as the late Sabicas. However, his sincere playing has a dreamlike, emotive quality that is purely original. He is known for his pure Flamenco sound.

	Philippe Meunier Flamenco Guitarist Philippe Meunier's recent CD's ''Jazz Español'' demonstrates his impressive range as a musician, encompassing classical renditions of Spanish and Latin guitar music as well as pure Flamenco. Originally from Québec, he studied classical guitar at Laval, then flamenco with Spanish guitarists in Montréal. During his years in Regina, he worked extensively with Flamenco dancer Barbara Chlopan, honing his skills as an dance accompanist. He plays at numerous festivals across the country such as the Saskatoon International Jazz Festival and Guitar Québec, and has recorded for the CBC. In 2003, Philippe relocated to Winnipeg, where he works with Spanish dancers Claire Marchand and Maritel Centurion, most recently in ''Encuentro'' and ''RITMO'' He also works with renowned latin percussionist Rodrigo Muñoz ''Papa Mambo'' . Philippe has taught guitar to many award-winning students of all ages and backgrounds. He now teaches at the University of Manitoba ''Preparatory Studies''. Link to a recent interview with Philippe Meunier on ZIGZAG (en Français).

	Carmen Cano de Infante Spanish Regional Dance “The Godmother of Spanish Dance in Manitoba” Born in the Southern Spanish city of Córdoba, Carmen began dancing at the age of twelve with the “Grupo de Coros y Danzas de Córdoba.” The group toured Spain learning dances from different regions, which they performed regularly across Spain, France and North Africa, as the “living archives” of Spanish Folkloric dance & music. After immigrating to Canada in 1967, Carmen founded the Spanish Folk Dancers of Winnipeg “Sol de España” which she tours to festivals in Canada and the U.S.A. and to competitions in Spain.

	Maritel Centurion Spanish Classical Dance - Danza Española Her knowledge of Spanish Classical Dance, Flamenco, Escuela Bolera and Argentinian Tango make Maritel Centurion an exciting dancer/choreographer. Maritel has extensive training with world renowned artists such as Jose Granero, Merche Esmeralda, Luisa Pericet and Manolete. The creator of Puertos, her work in Canada includes; Mariposa, (Canada Dance Festival 2004) Encuentro (September 2003) and The Gypsies’ Dance in the Toronto Opera Theatre’s production of La Traviata.