October 3 8pm
Rendezvous Jewelbox Theater
2322 2nd ave
Guitar Ricardo Diaz
Voice Stefanie Pedrasa
Dance Veronica Barrera
Savannah Fuentes
Ricardo Diaz discovered the art of flamenco in San Francisco, CA where he began his studies with guitarist Jorge Liceaga. At the advice of his teacher and mentor Mr. Liceaga, Ricardo started traveling to Spain where he studied with “El Entri," “Canito," Jose Luis Rodrigues, David Cerraduela and El Viejin from Cano Roto in Madrid. Ricardo would soon begin working in the San Francisco Bay Area “Tablaos” accompanying many Bay Area Flamenco artists. Soon after, Ricardo started traveling the US and Europe working with Gypsy singer Cristo Cortes and Flamenco Sur, performing in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Marseille and Paris.
Ricardo continued touring in China with a San Francisco group led by guitarist Roberto Aguilar. Later he would appear on Shaw TV, CBC Canada, Fox TV, NBC and TF1 in France. He was interviewed in Argentina with Flamenco magazine, Contratiempo and with websites such as SF Flamenco and Luna del Olivar as well as with the SF Chronicle.
Ricardo continued working in different Flamenco Companies in San Francisco with Carola Zertuche and Teatro Flamenco, Caterina Costa in Rome and Yjastros in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He performed in Seville, Spain in Pena Torres Macarena, El Chozas and Cerro del Aguila and also played in several Festivals around the world including Grenoble, Vancouver, Albuquerque, Avignon and Mont de Marsan. Ricardo performed with world renown Flamenco artists La Tania, Alejandro Granados, Jesus Montoya, Jose Anillo, Juan Requena, Pastora Galvan, Canito, Alegria Suarez, Rafael Amargo, David Lagos and Andres Marin.
Ricardo spent much of 2008 and 2009 living with his family in Seville, Spain where he taught guitar and recorded his CD with top notch Flamenco artists from Jerez. He is currently residing in the Bay Area. His passion for Flamenco and his enthusiasm for the art are evident in his performance.
Originally from Toronto, Stefanie carries more than 17 years of artistic experience. She is a unique combination of singer, flamenco dancer and teacher. She is described by peers, students and audiences as a "soulful performer and a thoughtful, emotionally expressive teacher".
Born into a Latin American family and having moved to Colombia at a very early age, she has been constantly immersed in her Latin roots of song and dance, these same roots which would become her main source for creative inspiration. Music and dance has always been an immense part of her life as well as her culture.
Stefanie began classical ballet training at age 4, with Romanian dance instructor Cristina Pora based in Toronto. Her flamenco dance studies began later, in Vancouver, under the mentorship of Rosario Ancer. Flamenco soon became her life’s passion. In 2002, she was awarded a full time scholarship and entered the intensive dance training program for professionals at Vancouver’s Centro Flamenco.
Stefanie has twice been awarded the Advanced Arts Scholarship granted by The Vancouver Foundation. This enabled her to attend the renowned Spanish conservatory of flamenco art Fundación de Arte Flamenco Cristina Heeren, in Sevilla, Spain in 2003. During the next three years, she made numerous trips to Sevilla and during this time, she had the opportunity to study with some of the most significant figures in flamenco, including: Milagros Menjibar, Isabel Bayon, Carmen Ledesma, Manuela Reyes, Andres Pena and Carmen Mesa. She has studied flamenco singing ( traditional cante) with masters such as: Sonia Miranda, David Hornillo and Javi Navarro.
She has performed alongside notable flamenco artists in Vancouver including: Oscar Nieto, Kasandra “ La China” Lee, Peter Mole, Gerardo Alcala and Victor Kolstee to name a few. She has been invited on several occasions to form part of the dance ensemble for Al Mozaico Dance Theatre Company for productions such as Poemas de Alegria in 2006 and Feria de la Costa in 2007, where she was featured as a dance soloist. Stephanie was invited to perform for the closing gala of the Vancouver International Film Festival 2007 as well as for The Portuguese Heritage Month 2008. She is the founder, host and performer of the monthly flamenco dance and music series Noche Pena Flamenca with her group Zambra Flamenca.
She often collaborates musically for a wide range of world music projects and recordings, including the Latin/flamenco fusion music project LAKAYE based in Sevilla, where she appeared on Canal Sur Espana television channel and performed at the Sala Chicote concert hall in Sevilla. She has performed and recorded in countries such as Spain, Mexico and Colombia, as well as with local Vancouver groups such as: Flamenco Alcala, La Triana and Poema Flamenco.
She has recently completed the recording of her first music production as a soloist. Her compositions fuse elements of Latin, jazz, flamenco, bossa nova, samba and pop.
Stefanie presently lives in Vancouver, where she can be seen performing regularly at venues such as the Kino Cafe, Chai Art Gallery and East is East. She is also well known amongst the flamenco community of students and aficionados for teaching ongoing classes and workshops in both singing and dancing. Stephanie continues to make yearly trips to Spain to take workshops and keep up to date with new developments in flamenco.
On stage, whether it through dance or song, she conveys deep emotions and personal experience earning the hearts of audience. It is with great determination she continues her journey towards success as a young artist.
Internet Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jekPxqqNkjQ&feature=related
http://www.mozaicoflamenco.com/news/071117FeriadelaCosta_000.htm
http://members.shaw.ca/kaml/tablao/ink
Veronica has been studying the Flamenco art form for the past 20 years, with interruptions to birth two daughters and gain four academic degrees. She began her studies with Dame Libby Komaiko of the Ensemble Español in Chicago and has since studies with notable flamencos like, Ciro, La Tania, Belen Maya, and Timo Lozano. She has performed in Olympia and Seattle for the past ten years with Amorfo Flamenco and Carmona Flamenco. In 2004 she had the privilege of performing in the Seattle Opera’s production of Carmen. Locally she trains with Sara de Luis who she considers her biggest influence.
Savannah Fuentes, discovered flamenco in Seattle with dancer Ana Montes. She continued her studies in Madrid with teachers such as La Tati, Belen Maya, and Cristobal Reyes. After returning to Seattle, she began her studies with Maestra Sara de Luis. Sara has blessed Ms. Fuentes with inspiration, constructive criticism, and guidance throughtout her carreer. She made the shift from student to performer with fellow dancer Veronica Barrera with whom she formed " Amorfo Flamenco". This collaboration introduced her to singer Keiko Ooka. While working with Keiko she learned many things relating to flamenco singing and communication. In 2008 she was commissioned by The Seattle International Children's Festival (now known as Giant Magnet) for a series of shows with her own company. For the past year she performed as a guest artist with Carmona Flamenco.
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