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BIOGRAPHY
"Spain's dance culture is so extensive, that to limit it to just
Flamenco is ridiculous." Clarita
Clarita, dancer, teacher and choreographer has an extensive back
ground in all facets of Spanish dance, covering regional folk dances,
Escuela Bolera (the original form of Spanish dance), and of course,
Flamenco. Residing in Seville, Clarita's talent was recognized by
Seville's leading male dancer Curro Velez. Mr. Velez presented her
at "El Arenal", one of Seville's foremost tablaos(Flamenco Club).
From there, her dance career exploded. She was then featured at
both "El Arenal and El Meson", where she performed with "La
Familia Montoya", one of Andalucia's premier dance families. Clarita
(named "La Clara") was recognized as a solo artist in her own right
and began to tour Spain and Europe with Spain's top Flamenco
Personalities. Clarita was commissioned to perform along with Juan
Peña, "El Lebrijano" for the opening of Artespaña in Orlando, Florida
at Disney world. She also performed with Chano Labato, Enrique "El
Extremenio", and El Toro. Performing on television, at festivals
and Peña Flamencas (private flamenco clubs), her popularity grew and
she was invited to perform for the family of the former President of
Spain, Felipe Gonzalez and the British Ambassador hosted by the
Governor of Andalucia Sr. Borbolla.Clarita
began her dance career at the age of six. After many years of
study in the United States with the top names of Spanish and Flamenco
dance such as Jose Greco, Jose Molina, Luisa Triana, Dolores and Jose
Fernandez, she went to Spain. There she continued to master the art
of Spanish Classical , Regional and Flamenco dance in Seville, with
Manolo Marin, Mario Maya, Juan Manuel and Mancilla & Margarita
"Los Gitanillos de Bronce"(original members of the Jose Greco Dance
Company) and Juan Amaya. In Madrid, she studied with La Tati.
In 1989, Clarita returned to the United States and created the Arte
Flamenco Dance Theatre, a company consisting of 15 dancers, singers
and musicians. Touring the United States, Arte Flamenco has become
a renowned representative of Spanish/Flamenco dance. Clarita has
devoted her life to mastering and preserving this specialized art form
through performing and teaching. Currently, she has an extensive school
in Los Angeles, and participates in school programs, demonstrating the
dance and its techniques.
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