About the Society
It’s our vision to excel in the production and presentation of flamenco by creating artistic, cultural and educational events that enhance the life of our city, region, and now the world.
Atlantic Flamenco (full legal name is Atlantic Flamenco Productions Society) is a charitable organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded in 2007 and also known as “Maria Osende Flamenco Co.” Our mandate is to promote and disseminate dance, flamenco and Spanish culture in the Atlantic region. We produce artistic, cultural and educational events enriching the community life of this city, province, and region.
Our main activities are:
- Artistic creation: productions, tours and performances of works and shows by: Maria Osende Flamenco Co.
- Community engagement: we offer free activities for our local and now global community of flamenco aficionados and dancers around the world. We partner with local organizations, participating in various events year-round.
- Artistic Support and Dissemination: to present and encourage our local artists through various showcase events and productions
- Professional Development: we offer professional development opportunities to dancers through workshops and masterclasses (online and in-person) as well as offering performance opportunities in partnership with the Flamenco Dance School Maria Osende
Our current productions:
- Seville’s April Fair in Halifax debuting April 29 & 30, 2023. In partnership with Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
- World Flamenco Day Celebration (2019-present). In partnership with Halifax Public Libraries
Previous major productions include:
- The Atlantic Flamenco Festival (2008-2019)
- The Fuse Festival (2017, 2019) in partnership with the municipality.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors, a dedicated group of community leaders and flamenco lovers, supports our vision every step of the way.
Chair: Wendy Rogers
Treasurer: Eduardo Moro
Secretary: Marcia Santos
Directors: Cory Porteous, Uche Joel Ughonu, Janine Wallace and Ewa Jachimowicz
Atlantic Flamenco Productions Society (AFP), known also as Maria Osende Flamenco Co. is managed by a volunteer board of directors. They provide advice, governance, and support to the organization. The board advises on strategies for maintaining long-term sustainability and growth, as well as facilitating revenue development initiatives.
Atlantic Flamenco hanks our dedicated board members, past and present!
Would you like to get involved and help us shape our future?
The pandemic changed the performing arts landscape and we are eager to move on in new directions and take fresh input from new board members. This is an opportunity to contribute to Atlantic Canada’s performing arts landscape through the advancement of flamenco and Spanish culture, to expand your personal and professional networks, and to further develop your leadership and management competencies by volunteering in your community.
Founder and Artistic Director: Maria Osende
Maria Osende is a highly accomplished professional dancer, teacher, choreographer and producer. Osende’s personal and unique artistic voice ads to her deep knowledge of flamenco, ballet and contemporary dance. Her solo and company work is creative, engaging and impeccably produced. Her vision is one of flamenco as an open artistic form that is powerful and relevant in today’s world, and that can communicate with audiences everywhere.
In the fall of 2015 Osende was awarded with the “Established Artist Recognition Award” by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Osende started dancing ballet at the age of seven with Luis Fuente, Julia Estevez and José Granero and later on flamenco at the Centro de Arte Flamenco Amor de Dios.
At seventeen a Fulbright scholarship allowed her to deepen her ballet studies at the renown School of American Ballet in New York City. Prior to moving to Halifax, Osende danced professionally with the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Spain and the Berlin Ballet in Germany, where she was soon promoted to soloist. During this time she worked with various internationally renowned choreographers, performing a wide-ranged repertoire of classical and contemporary dance.
Overtime, Osende’s passion for creativity and artistic freedom brought her back to her Spanish roots and to flamenco. becoming a freelance flamenco dancer in Berlin before moving to Canada in 2003 and taking Halifax by storm.
Since then Osende has produced over 30 works, ranging from full-length main stage shows to solos and commissions. Moving comfortably between tradition and innovation, Osende also engages in projects involving other dance and music styles, architecture and theatre , as well as artistic international collaborations. Her work continues to evolve over time, at times pushing creative boundaries, while other times remaining deeply rooted in traditional flamenco.
Let’s connect!
We want to hear from you! If you are interested in one of our events, or just want to learn more about Atlantic Flamenco? Contact us!