Flamenco Fundamentals
Thursdays, starting November 1, 2018, 7:00-8:00
A fun approach to learning brazeo, body alignment, turns, and rhythm in the style of Flamenco. Beginner / Intermediate levels welcome!
Bianca Rodriguez began dancing Clásico Español at the age of 3 in Laredo, Texas with Cristina Greco and Mina Gutierrez, who both performed with Jose Greco. She learned Sevillanas at the age of 7 from Jose Greco II and began assisting classes in her school. Bianca received a degree in flamenco dance from the University of New Mexico under the direction of Eva Encinias. She performed with the National Institute of Flamenco studying with El Torombo, Karime Amaya, Inmaculada Ortega, and Manuel Linan. Bianca continued her studies in Sevilla with Juana Amaya, Farruquito, Antonio Canales, and Angelita Vargas. She returned to the US and began working with various companies including Juan Siddi, Antonio Granjero, and Flamenco Vivo. She was first featured as a soloist in “El Pintor” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. In 2012 Bianca produced “Esencia” in her home town of Laredo with Jose Cortez, Ricardo Diaz and Jesus Munoz as well as a full drum set, cello and flute. She also began a four year project and toured with “Flamenco India,” a twelve-piece band featuring sitar, tabla and Kathak dance, as choreographer and soloist.
Bianca’s proudest moments have been working with gypsy singers Keka Villar, Silverio Heredia, Kina Méndez, Jose Mendez and legendary dancer Carmen Ledesma. She has performed at La Cueva de Lola in Madrid and while learning from young up-and-coming artists, Juan Debel, Sara Perez, and Paz de Manuel. In 2013, Bianca moved to the Bay, performs regularly in tabloas and co-produces and directs, along with Jenny Luna, Balkan and Turkish singer, “Ole, Opa!” She has worked with Theatre Flamenco since 2017 and visiting artists such as Juana la del Pipa, Pastora Galván, and Adela Campallo. With utmost respect for the art form, Bianca still considers herself a student with so much more to learn.