Maria Osende
Artistic Director and Dancer
Award-winning dancer, Maria Osende was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. Osende started dancing as a child, becoming a professional Ballet Dancer in her late teens, first joining the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid, followed by the Berlin Ballet in Germany. Osende also studied flamenco at the world renowned Centro de Arte Flamenco Amor de Dios. After a decade of dancing professionally in two major ballet companies, Osende chose to focus on flamenco. She is the motor behind Halifax’s Flamenco scene and the director of Atlantic Flamenco, the organization behind this event.
Osende moved to Canada in 2003 and took Halifax by storm. Osende has since produced over 30 works, ranging from full-length main stage shows to solos and commissions. Her work continues to evolve over time, pushing creative boundaries, while also remaining deeply rooted in traditional flamenco.
