Maria Osende: A Maestra’s Dance Journey
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Maria began dancing at young age, soon achieving High Honors in classical ballet at the Conservatorio de Danza de Madrid under the guidance of ballet teacher Julia Estevez. Her foundational flamenco training took place at the Centro de Arte Flamenco Amor de Dios and the School of American Ballet in New York City thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship.
Maria’s professional dance career started at 19 and led her first to the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Spain and later to Berlin Ballet in Germany, where she danced for a decade as a soloist. Collaborating with renowned choreographers, she explored classical and contemporary dance.
Driven by a passion for creativity and a desire to reconnect with her Spanish roots, Maria returned to flamenco, becoming a freelance dancer in Berlin before making Halifax her home since 2003.
Works and Repertoire
Maria’s artistic journey includes over 30 works created in frame of the Maria Osende Flamenco Co., ranging from full-length shows to solos and commissioned pieces. She seamlessly navigates between tradition and innovation. Her commitment to artistic freedom is evident in projects that push creative boundaries while staying rooted in traditional flamenco. Maria’s work continues to evolve, leaving a mark on the dance landscape.
Maria is the recipient of the Established Artist Recognition Award from Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.
Teaching:
Beyond her creative career, Maria is passionate about sharing her knowledge in ballet and flamenco. She has played a pivotal role in developing flamenco dancers in Nova Scotia, leading the only flamenco dance school in Atlantic Canada and east of Montreal, the Flamenco and Ballet Dance School Maria Osende
Founder of Atlantic Flamenco:
In 2007, Maria founded Atlantic Flamenco and has since steered the organization through thick and thin, transforming Halifax into an international flamenco hotspot. Renowned flamenco artists like Rafael Campallo, Maria Moreno, Joaquin Grilo or Maria Mezcle are some of the many internationally renown artists that have visited Halifax , thanks to her visionary leadership. The Atlantic Flamenco Festival, the Flamenco Nights Performance Series, the FUSE Dance Festival and most recently, the Seville’s April Fair in Halifax are all conceived under her insightful vision.
