our students
Please read up on some of our talented students! More to come soon!
Abby Fammartino
I stumbled upon flamenco while living in Sante Fe, NM 6 years ago by searching in the phone book for other dance studios. I continued on and off through college, studying in particular flamenco communities in Japan. I remember seeing flamenco when I was 10 in Spain and not being able to control my feet from tapping under the table as I watched the performers in awe. I dance now because it makes me feel strong, alive and individually expressive within a beautifully rhythmic and soulful form.
Ann Floyd
I've always thought of Flamenco as a very exotic dance, and other than the lady on the Maja perfume label, did not have much exposure to Spain or Flamenco. I noticed Viviana putting on a performance at the Portland Art Museum several years ago. After attending that performance, I became aware that there were flamenco studios and teachers here in Portland, so I began my research, and found a class after work that I could take.
Lynn de la Torre
I started taking flamenco the first time about 15 years ago. At the time, I was performing with a small amateur ballet company. My ballet teacher wanted us to study at least one other dance form to help us develop our understanding of dance and make our movements less rigid and balletic. I chose flamenco because I speak Spanish and I had always loved the music. I took class with one of the best flamenco teachers on the west coast, if not in the US at the time, Linda Vega. When she danced Bulerias and Solea on stage, I was completely mesmerized and it formed a very lasting impression on me. Unfortunately, I had to stop class after only about 7 months because I was pregnant and couldn't do footwork, etc. But, I told myself I'd go back to flamenco someday. I went to Spain twice for a fairly short duration each time after I stopped classes with Linda, but went to tablaos that she had told me about. The first time was really amazing because I stayed until after the "official" show was over, just like Linda had told me to do. At about 2 in the morning, the whole family of one of the dancers got up on stage and did some great improv bulerias. I'll never forget when the grandmother got up on stage. I'm guessing she was 70+. I assumed she’d have some skill, but I was totally unprepared for just how amazing she would be. Of all of the flamenco I've seen, her performance still stands out as one of the best I've ever seen. What also impressed me was that at 70+ she was in amazing shape and had absolutely beautiful legs, by anyone's standard. What I also noticed was that with flamenco, the longer you do it, the better you can leverage what you already know. That show awakened in me a renewed desire to make flamenco something that I would do for the rest of my life.
When I got to Portland it took me awhile to really find a studio and teacher that I could work with. I have had an on again, off again experience with flamenco classes, sometimes taking a break of up to a year without classes.
Ritsuko Wada
I like flamenco because of the sounds and the unique atmosphere created by the guitar, cante, palmas, and steps. Apart from the guitar, no special tools are needed; you just use what you have, which creates a special dynamic. I keep dancing because I hope some day I will be a part of this world. I am always learning something new, so I have to keep doing it.
Stefani Miller
I take flamenco because of the people I get to meet and socialize with and travel with. It is great exercise for me that is not boring. Other classes are so repetitive that I give them up. Flamenco stretches my comfort level and pushes me to do things that I would not normally do. (ie-perform, take advance classes, sing, etc) I think that is good for a person and keeps them from getting old and set in their ways. I am totally addicted. I can't ever imagine not being involved with flamenco because it has become such a big part of my life.
