Elena brings to her work great lyrical power as well as the strong rhythmic sense of a dancer. She began her dance studies at the edge of ten, and graduated in Classical Spanish dance from Matilde Coral's academy in Triana (Seville), at the age of twenty-one. Her singing, a spontaneous gift, remained a largely private affair although others begin to spot her talent. In 1988 she contributed backing vocals to Pata Negra's groundbreaking album Blues de la Frontera and the following year she performed with Diego Carrasco.
Following her performances with Joaquín Cortés, her singing career began to take off both in Spain and abroad. She has worked extensively in both traditional tablaos and other Spanish live venues - La Trocha (Seville), Café de Chinitas, Casa Patas and Suristán (Madrid), Tablao de Carmen (Barcelona) and Zambra (Alicante)- and performs regularly abroad as solo artist. Occasionally she combines this with dance: in 1997 she took a cameo role as a flamenco dancer in the Taylor Hackford movie Devil's Advocate, partnering Al Pacino. The following year she appeared as one of the lead singers in filmmaker Mike Figgs' experimental documentary Flamenco Women (VPRO, Netherlands and Channel 4, UK). Her face is familiar to many others from photographer Richard Avedon's book An Autobiography, in which he included her portrait.
Elena has also continued developing her range, technique and power as a singer. In 1988 she took demanding leading roles in flamenco mass in Finland and the orchestral homage to Lorca in Utrecht. Alongside this, in her own live shows she began to develop reworked versions of traditional lyrics -chosen with a deep knowledge of flamenco's repertoire and also with great humour- and to incorporate rap influences in her own songs. Writing of these recent performances Angel Alvarez Caballero, El Pais's flamenco critic, described he as "one of the young figures that is establishing herself most solidly in women's cante".
Raul Ortega native of Madrid began performing at an early age and has performed at all the major tablaos in Madrid. He has performed in the companies of Maria Rosa, Rafael Amargo, El Guito, Maria Pages, Israel Paz, Antonio Canales, performing worldwide in major flamenco festivals including the Flamenco Festival USA. He was first dancer for the companies of Compania Canaveral and Luisillo. In 2005, he created his own show in The Buero Vallejo Theater along with dancers Nino de los Reyes, Alfonso Losa, and guest artist Montse Cortes to great critical acclaim. He's shared the stage with Manuela Carrasco, Israel Galvan, Farruquito, Guito, Manuel Soler, El Bobote, Guadiana and was featured attraction in September at the tablao Las Tablas.
Born in Cordoba, Antonio Hidalgo is a tremendously successful and sought-after dancer and choreographer on the world stage. Recent engagements include an international tour as principal dancer with the Antonio Gades Company, guest artist at Corral de la Moreria in Madrid, partnering Inmaculada Ortega and Blanca del Rey. He has been to the US many times as a dancer and choreographer for Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo performing in “Bailaor,” “Mano a Mano,” “Café de Chinitas” and “Imágenes Flamencas” (1999-2006). Antonio was principal dancer and choreographer for the Kentucky Opera Company (2003) and has danced with Jose Greco and Maria Benitez.
Oscar Valero has studied flamenco with Antonio Canales, La China, Manuel Soler, Domingo Ortega, Belen Fernandez, Manolo Marin, Maria Pages, and Alejandro Granados among others. Oscar, other than being a talented dancer he also plays cajon and shared the stage with Manuel Soler, El Pirania, Ramon Porrina, and Lucki Losada.
He danced as a soloist with Antonio Canales dance company in 1998 through 2000 in many performances as Gitano, Torero, and Bengues . He also was a soloist with Merche Esmeralda (2000) and Maria Pages in New York City, Washington D.C and Boston (2001). He participated in the most famous flamenco festivals. Spain: Festival de Jerez, festival de Cantes de las Minas (La Union), and La Bienal de Sevilla.
Oscar was with Antonio Canales in the international festivals of: Lyon (France), Bogota (Colombia), Tel Aviv (Israel), Spoleto (Italia), and Tokyo (Japan). Also, with Maria Pages in the festivals of: Boston and New York City coinciding with Farruquito, Carmen Linares, and Manolo Sanlucar. He performed in the movie of Cristinas Hoyo’s Biography; and performed in the MTV of Spain with Jose Merce. Currently he’s directing his own flamenco company performing his first creation “Fuerza”. He has taught and keeps teaching workshops throughout Europe, Japan, and United States.
Nélida Tirado began dancing at the age of 6, training extensively in ballet, Graham technique and Spanish Classical Dance. At 19 years of age she began performing professionally as a solo artist both nationally and internationally with many important Flamenco artists including; Juan Andrés Maya, Antonio Reyes, Antonio "El Pipa" in Gypsy Caravan, and in Compania Maria Pages where she was Dance Captain and soloist. She also performed in the national touring company of "Riverdance," including the Broadway run.
Juan Ogalla is a native of Cadiz, the birthplace of the Alegrias. Juan began performing at the age of eight and has worked with many notable flamenco figures and companies including Beatriz Martin, Manuel Morao, Maria Pages, Lola Greco and Javeir Latorre.
From 1993 to 2000 he performed as a soloist in the compnay of Cristine Hoyos. In 2001 he left the company to form his own and toured with his show "Soniquete Flamenco." He has performed all over the world including Brasil, Japan, Europe and the US.
Among his students are Carmen Vargas, Juan Fernandez, Juana Amaya, Hiniesta Cortes, Juan de los Reyes, Israel Galvan (his son), Rafael Campallo, Rafael del Carmen, Manuel Betanzos, Susana Casas, Pastora Galvan (his daughter), Juan Paredes, Domingo Ortega, Jesus Cordoba, “Bartolo”, Manuel Salguero, Pepe Ruiz, Manuel Rios, Adela Campallo, “La Chabuca”, Ana Maria Blanco, Maria del Mar Berlanga, Tani (de Barcelona), Milagros de Vargas, Luisa Triana, Lalo Tejada, Isabel Lopez,
Maria Serrano, Paqui del Rio, Toromba, etc.
Throughout the years, Mr. Galvan has worked with Lola Flores, Estrellita Castro, Antonio Ruiz Soler.
Since 1989 to present: Has taught numerous workshops in Japan, US, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal. Among his students are Amhkamata of Japan. From the US, Elena Marlowe, Yaelisa and La Filigrana.
2000 performed with his son, Israel at the XI Bienal de Flamenco in “La Metamorfosis”
Mr. Galvan married Eugenia de los Reyes and have three children, Israel, Pastora and Jose Antonio.
Carmela was born in Madrid, Spain and began her dance studies when she was eleven years old. She is an internationally renowned Flamenco dancer, choreographer and director, who comes from a family of celebrated dancers, most notably her late father Jose Greco. She has toured in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with her own company and has taught throughout the world. Carmela is considered one of the premier Flamenco teachers in Madrid’s famed Amor de Dios Studio, which has students from several Europen countries, the United States, Latin America, and Japan
Of Gipsy family born in Barcelona, he was trained in classical español and flamenco at the CCA Manuel de Falla in Barcelona and continued onwards to train with great artist the likes of El Toleo, La Tolea, La Tani, La Chana, Manuel Reyes, Domingo Ortega, Antonio Canales, Antonio “el Pipa”, Andres Marin, Juan de Juan, Rafael de Carmen, La Farruca, La Faraona, y Farruquito. He began his professional career as a Bailaor at an early age debuting at the Tablao “El Cordobes” of Barcelona, Los Tarantos, Palacio Andaluz in Seville and currently at the Tablao de Carmen.
He has participated in many festivals and was the soloist at the “Dia Internacional del Pueblo Gitano” alongside Diego El Cigala and Los Patriarcas de la Rumba. He has also collaborated with Farruquito y Familia en el Teatro Poliorama de Barcelona. He has performed worldwide, and as a gifted teacher since 1999, he has taught in Japan, Greece, Italy, Germany, London, Israel, Portugal, Poland and New York.
In 2004 he was the winner of the “Premio Honor Carmen Amaya at the 6th Annual Certamen de Jovenes Valores de Hospitalet 2004 (Barcelona)”, and winner of Premios Vicente Escudero (por siguirilla), Pilar López (por caña), Juana la Faraona (por taranto), Matilde Coral (por romeras). That same year with his group Bajarí Flamenca he was the winner in choreography of “VII Concurso de Coreografía Ateneo Popular Nou Barris” in Barcelona. Bajarí Flamenca closed the Festival de Flamenco del Forum de las Culturas 2004 (bcn), alongside Juan Villar, Capullo de Jerez, Antonio “el Pipa” y Farruquito, and has shared the stage with the likes of Antonio Canales, Rafael Campallo, Pepe Habichuela, and Josemi (Ketama).
When not teaching, performing, or choreographing in New York City, Magdalena lives in Seville, Spain where she trains with legendary gypsies artists such as Familia Farruco, Angelita Vargas, and Manuela Carrasco. Other influences are also dancers Alejandro Granados, Pastora Galván, Isabel Bayón, and Miguel Vargas.
From 1996-1999 Magdalena helped rejuvenate the New York Flamenco dancing at hot new venues throughout the city. She has been performing ever since as dancer, percussionist,a and even singer. This spring she premiered with the fusion project Madera at the Vermont Jazz Festival. In November Magdalena will return as soloist in the Neville Dance Theater. She can be found performing alongside members of Familia de Pura and “por fiesta” style at Asociación Antigua in Seville.
Magdalena is known for her intensive “puro” style- which focuses on the musicality and rhythm of Flamenco. She is dedicated to giving students and audience members alike an authentic experience which deepens their understanding of this wonderfully complex art form.
