Bios
Maria Osende. Dancer, artistic director, choreographer
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Maria started dancing with Luis Fuente, Zelma Bustillo and later Julia Estevez at age 7. At fifteen she becomes one of the youngest members of the National Ballet of Spain. Two years later a Fulbright scholarship takes her to the School of American Ballet in New York City. At nineteen she moves to Berlin, Germany, to dance with the Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet where she dances for 8 years as a soloist a wide ranged repertoire of classical and contemporary dance.
In 1995 Maria decides to leave the Deusche Oper Berlin to focus only on Flamenco, which at the same time, brings her back to her spanish origins. A power force of technique and artistry, Maria has been conquering audiences not only in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but priorly in Germany and Spain. Among her teachers are Jose Granero, Ana Maria Amahi, Manuel Reyes, El Güito, La Truco, Paco Romero, Joaquin Ruiz and La Tati.
In September 2003 Maria moves to Nova Scotia (Canada) creating her flamenco company in 2004, opening her flamenco school in 2005 and initiating the Flamenco Festival Atlantic in February 2006 with JazzEast, and so starting an annual Festival which has become one of the most popultar hapenings in Halifax.
"Osende's arrival rocketted the audience into another dimmension' The Chronicle Herald, 2004
Related articles: "Own spinn On Flamenco"
Chronicle Herald, February 1, 2008 view (PDF)
Irena Dumicz. Dancer, instructor
Born and raised in Poland. Irena took on flamenco dancing in 2003 after years of dancing Cuban style salsa in Edmonton with Salsaddiction, Cuban Salsa Rueda de Casino. Trained initially by Judith Garcia and Jane Ogilvie in Edmonton, Irena continued her education with several other teachers, amongst which are Oscar Nieto and Kasandra Lee at Al Mozaico Flamenco (Vancouver), Tomas Arroquerro (Sevilla), Alicia Marquez, Angel Muñoz and Inmaculada Aguilar (Jerez de la Frontera). Irena also has a master’s degree in education.
Lynn Gallant. Dancer
A proud Acadian from Prince Edward Island, Lynn moved to Halifax in 1990 to study and work in the filed of graphic design. She later discovered what would become her favourite art form after seeing the National Film Board of Canada's documentary film “Flamenco at 5:15”. She has since been studying flamenco dance for the past 7 years, first with Evelyne Benais, and since 2005 with Maria Osende. Throughout the years, Lynn has also had the privilege of participating in dance workshops by Georgia Gugliotta "La Canela", Manuel Reyes Maya, and Salvador Moreno "El Tigre". An experienced performer, Lynn was a member of local group Alma Flamenca (2002-2005) and has worked with the company since 2004.
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Daniel MacNeil. Guitarist and percussionist.
Born in Cape Breton, Daniel continually works with and at his love and passion for music and dance. Playing both guitar and percussion in a wide variety of musical backgrounds he now finds his heart rooted in Flamenco. He began studying the form years ago and has visited Spain to expand his knowledge in flamenco guitar, among others, he has studied with Daniel Pimentel and Juan Martin. Daniel teaches classical and flamenco guitar at the Canadian Conservatory of Music, as well as at Maria Osende Flamenco School
Enrique Rojo "el Henry". Singer
A multi-talented artist, el Henry began singing as a child in Argentina. Thus began a life-long love affair with latin-american music and, through this, to an exploration of his Spanish roots in flamenco. Singing for the group shortly after it's creation in 2004, el Henry's deeply emotinal voice cotains the essence of flamenco. In 2006, el Henry travelled to Spain to further his flamenco studies and joined Madrid's local flamenco scene. Pervioulsy el Henry sag with Alma Latina and Salsa Picante. To go to Enrique´s personal website (www.henryrojo.com) and find out more about his work as an artist and painter, please visit www.henryrojo.com
Antonia Pigot. Singer
A native Nova Scotian, Antonia Pigot studied in Montreal, graduating in Jazz Studies from Concordia University. Her career began performing in Montreal's Club Soda, singing back up vocals on a Cirque du Soleil CD and travelling to West Africa to perform jazz-fusion. Winner of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, Antonia has explored a wide range of vocal performance with groups Alma Flamenca and Village Rhythm, presenting a striking vocal sound emulating Flamenco and African styles. Antonia Pigot is active in the community as a voice teacher and music educator, as well as collaborating with local music groups.
Janis Dawson. Violinist
A native of Halifax, Janis began playing classical violin with Jan Wicha at the age of four, graduating later on of the Saint Francis Xavier University Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies program. Comfortable in many musical genres, Janis is an active musician and educator in the Halifax area. She currently performs as well with Andrea Curry and the Awful Truth, the Park Falls Trio and as a freelance violinist.
Christopher Cookson. Percussionist
Born in Montreal Quebec, Christopher Cookson grew up in various small towns in Mexico and Central America slowly making his way back to Canada via Texas and Nevada. Along the way he developed an interest in all music and never looked back. He took up the drumset in his late teens playing rock and Jazz. He later developed a love for the music coming from Africa, Cuba, Brasil and most recently Spain. He has been involved in several Halifax based bands such as Samba Nova, Kojo, Alma Latina and Zumbi.
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