Rubén Olmo

Born in Sevilla in 1980, he enters the dance conservatory at the age of 9. Apart from going to the conservatory he also starts flamenco classes with great teachers as Jose Galván, Manolo Marín, Antonio Canales, Javier Latorre, Aida Gómez, Guito, Mario Maya etc.

At 14 he enters in the workshops of the Compañía Andaluza de Danza, who was then directed by Maria Pages. At 16 he starts dancing in Javier Barón’s company, with the show “El Pajaro Negro”, dancing along with Belén Maya and with choreographies by Ramón Oller, Javier Latorre and Javier Baron. That same year, 1996 he moves to Madrid, to continue studying with dancers like Rosa Naranjo, and Aida Gómez. At 17, he entered Aida Gomez’ company of Spanish classical dance. He was made a soloist of that company.

At the early age of 18 he enters in the Ballet Nacional de España, that was directed by Aida Gómez. He was made solo dancer immediately, and by the next year he as first dancer of the company!

His repertoire, as first dancer at the Ballet Nacional de España, includes the shows: Poeta, Carmen, Ritmos, Oripando, and Grito.

In April 2002 he decides to leave the Ballet Nacional, and he is called by Eva la Yerbabuena to dance in her show La Voz del Silencio. In 2003-2004 he is a dancer in the Company Metros of Ramón Oller, where he stars in the shows Carmen and la Pasion de Cristo. In 2005 he starts working with Rafael Amargo, where he acts as a soloist, and as a choreographer for the shows Enramblao, Pasajero en Transito, Poeta en Nueva York and El Amor Brujo. In 2005 he works as a teacher in “Operación Triunfo” the Spanish edition of the Tv show “American Idol”.

In 2006 he decides to create his own dance company and presents his show Belmonte at the Teatro Albeniz of Madrid. In 2007, he presented his second show, Pinocchio, at the Teatro de la Villa de Madrid, and finally Tranquilo Alboroto during the last edition of the Bienal de Flamenco in 2010, that won the prestigious prize, El Giraldillo, for the best choreographer.

He still works also as invited choreographer for important companies such as the one of Aida Gomez, and the Ballet Nacional de España, for whom he is doing, a new choreography and a solo piece to be danced by its new director, Antonio Najarro.

Rubio de Pruna

Gypsy flamenco artist by birth and flamenco artist by his choice so as to give form to what was natural in his home and that was to sing and play guitar. Rooted in the Southern gypsy families he preserves in his voice and the memories from his youth and the antiquated way of doing flamenco in the intimate celebrations with those who knew and in the union of aficionados. His repertoire bears the essence of flamenco cities such as Morón, Utrera and Lebrija. Thanks to the fans of Seville, his singing was discovered and he pursued his talent on a professional level well beyond the intimate circle of parties, leaving what was so familiar to him. He collaborated with dancers such as Juan de Juan, Los Farruco, and Manuela Carrasco. Working with these artists show where he learned the craft of being on stage (theatre scene) and singing for dance. With these artists, he travelled around the world. From the hand of Antonio Moya, he wins the first price of the Concurso de Cante de Puertollano in 2008. Actually his singing is in demand by dance companies because it is synonymous with delivery and quality. He never lost his gipsy work ethic.

Oscar Lago

Oscar was born in Cadiz in 1981. He began his guitar studies with the following teachers: Rafael Abuja, Rafael Porras, Andres Martinez and later with Gerardo Nuñez, Ralph Towner,
Manolo Perfumo or the Norwegian musician Ole Andre Farstad.
He has worked with artists like;
Javier Latorre in the production "Rinconete y Cortadillo"
Belén Maya in "Bailes alegres para personas tristes"
Juan de Juan in "Los Sones Negros"
Angeles Gabaldon in "Inmigración"
On tour with: Rafael Amargo, Concha Vargas, Juana la del Pipa, Rocío Molina, Sergio
Monroy, Tim Ries ...
He debuted as a soloist in the Bienal de Sevilla, en ciclo + jovenes + flamenco.
He produced cds like (Monroy), (Chicuco) ...
Now part of the artistic cast of the production "Tranquilo Alboroto" of the
Rubén Olmo Company.

Fiona Malena

Canadian born dancer Fiona Malena has performed world-wide in Canada, Spain, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Collaborating with Spain's top flamenco artists such as El Torombo and Pedro Sierra, other noted performances include the Peña de Londres (London, England) and the Alcázar palaces of Jerez de la Frontera and Seville, Spain.

Fiona has choreographed new works for the stage since 2001. Past performances have included her dancing with Ramón Martínez, Juan Ogalla, La Tobala and David Palomar, among others prominent artists. This past year in Spain, her ensemble was presented at many venues such as Peña Pies Plomo, Peña La Fragua and El Monasterio de La Cartuja. She also recently taught workshops at the Sadler's Wells studios in London, England and is now preparing a concert with singer José Anillo and dancer Irene La Sentío (Farruquito's company). Fiona is the director for the Calgary International Flamenco Festival, which takes place this fall. Together with her dynamic ensemble of dance, guitar, singing and saxophone, Fiona continues to perform frequently in Spain.

Tamar Ilana

Tamar Ilana has been performing and travelling all her life. At the age of five, Tamar began singing Sephardic, Medieval and Balkan music on stage. At eight, she began studying Flamenco dance with Esmeralda Enrique at the Academy of Spanish Dance in Toronto. In 2007, while studying Human Biology at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, she put singing and Flamenco together, and began to study cante with renowned Flamenco singer Montse Cortés. She has since studied with such Flamenco dancers and singers as Farruquito, La Farruca, Juana Amaya, Pilar Ogalla, Calixto Sánchez, Encarna Anillo, José Anillo, Rocío Márquez, Virginia Gámez, Javier Rivera, Vicente Gelo, and Arcángel, and has recently returned from a year in Seville at the Cristina Heeren Flamenco Art Foundation, where she focused on cante. Based again in Toronto, Tamar performs regularly at Plaza Flamingo and Embrujo Flamenco, as well as with the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, the Jorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble, Los Amigos de Pilar, and Flaminguitos del Norte and the Fedora Upside Down collective. Tamar also performs Afro-Brazilian music with Maracatu Baque de Bamba, and look out for her new group, which brings together her life of Flamenco, Balkan and Sephardic music.

Pamela Briz

Pamela Briz of Spanish heritage, Pamela has over fifteen years of professional performance experience in Spanish dance. A versatile dancer, Pamela is trained in all forms of Spanish dance including classical, regional and flamenco. Pamela performs both as a company dancer with Compañía Carmen Romero and as a solo artist at various venues in Toronto. Since 2002, Pamela has been teaching Spanish dance at the Club Hispano in Toronto and has experience teaching both adults and children. Pamela currently teaches at the Carmen Romero School of Flamenco Dance Arts.

Raija

Raija started dancing at 15 years of age and has had extensive training in flamenco, ballet, ballroom and Argentine tango. In 1991 she opened her dance studio Mad for Dance. Raija has been a teacher of flamenco for over 15 years, with a special appreciation for the needs of beginner students. In recent years, her focus has been on the benefits of dance for a fit mind and body. Her 'Flamenco Moves' classes incorporate flamenco techniques and exercises that challenge the mind and boost physical fitness. After teaching a successful Introductory Flamenco workshop at the Toronto Flamenco Festival last year, Raija is happy to, once again, take part in this year's event.

Carmen Romero

Carmen Romero is the artistic director and principal dancer of the Compañía Carmen Romero as well as the founder of The School of Flamenco Dance Arts (Since 1992), based in Toronto. Carmen Romero offers instruction in Flamenco Dance, Guitar, Percussion and Singing. Programs are offered for recreation to professional, for children-Adults. The School of Flamenco Dance Arts has a unique approach to teaching the Art of Flamenco. The music, dance and song are taught as a language rather than a series of chords, movements or notes. Students develop relational skills that give them a new perspective of understanding the world around them through the art of Flamenco. Other than teaching within her school, Carmen Romero has also taught several seasons for the Quinte School of Ballet, Oakville School of Ballet as well as international workshops, lectures and demonstrations. Carmen Romero is an energetic teacher who enjoys her students company. She approaches her work with positive encouragement and motivation to reach high standards in training, performance and personal best.

Benjamin Barrile

Benjamin Barrile is an accomplished flamenco guitarist who also has extensive training in classical, jazz and world music. In addition to leading his own group, Benjamin has performed and recorded for many artists including: “The Café Olé” - a multi-award winning group that incorporates a unique mix of flamenco and jazz. Benjamin is also a resident guitarist at Carmen Romero's School of Flamenco Dance Arts based in Toronto. Benjamin has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts including CBC, CityTV, Jazz FM, and Telelatino. Benjamin is also the co-founder of ModernToque.com, a website that has brought him a great deal of recognition amongst the international flamenco community. The site is dedicated to transcribing the complex intricacies of modern flamenco guitar to the music stave, an art that is very difficult to translate on paper. In 2000 Benjamin set off to Spain for the first time, a country that had long captivated his imagination, in search of flamenco and what would be the most significant journey of his life so far. He traveled to one of the major centres of flamenco in Spain today, Jerez de la Frontera, where he studied under many great maestros including Manuel Lozano "El Carbonero".