Past Guest Artists
As with the previous performers, these artists have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to the Spanish performing arts. In addition, their strong performances, instruction and advice have helped our dance academy gain the solid reputation it holds today.
Bob Garrett is the co-founder (with Nadine Lollino) of Posterchild, a multimedia performance installation group that creates immersive experiences through music, dance, video, and costuming. He is also the owner of Temple Gallery in Pilsen, Chicago. He recently returned from performing as a percussionist for The Lion King. Previously, he worked as a freelance musician and producer in Chicago. He has also worked with the Freddy Jones Band, Anne Harris and the Trinity Irish Dancers. He currently plays with Anne Harris, the Guitars of Spain, John Elmquist and Hard Art Group, Psycles (Chris Selbol), and Toque Chicago (Afro-Cuban folk music).
Steve Bibons is a Chicago-based violinist and composer. Throughout his career, he has performed as a soloist in a diverse set of ensembles: a symphony orchestra, an Afro-Cuban jazz group, a traditional Klezmer group, and Middle Eastern groups. He utilizes this wide cultural experience in his work on “From the Arctic to the Middle East” and “A Flamenco Quartet,” two Flamenco-based productions with the Clinard Dance Theater.
Rafael "Falete" Ojeda Rojas is a flamenco singer from Seville, Spain, and the son of famous singer Falin. He demonstrated great vocal talent from a very early age. Playing first at fairs and private events, he has since achieved fame as one of Spain’s most acclaimed singers. He has been promoted by various celebrities, like the journalist Jesús Quintero, and in his discography, he makes versions of famous songs from singers like Bambino, Rocío Jurado, Chavela Vargas and Paco Ibáñez, among others.
A native of Alcala de Guadaira, Seville, Spain, Macarena Jurado comes from a family of Flamenco singers. She started to perform at an early age, and her repertoire includes the canción Española, popular music and Flamenco. Her talent has opened up many opportunities in Spain and Europe, where she has performed with Ana Riverte, La Fragua Dance Academy, Flamenco tablaos, and in the annual Ferias de Seville with the Hermanas Villaú Dance Company.
RAFAEL “FALIN” OJEDA ROJAS (1957-2008)
Rafael was born in Seville, Spain. With great talent as a singer and musician, he led the group “Cantores De Hispalis,” which was very popular in Spain.
Irma Suarez Ruiz was born in Chicago, then moved to Mexico City to live with her family. Her formal dance training in classical ballet and Spanish dance began with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1979. She studied with such Spanish dance legends as Maria Alba, Edo, Paco Alonso, Victorio Korjhan, Juanjo Linares, Roberto Lorca, Timo Lozano, Manolete, Carmela Greco, and Juan Mata and Ana González, founding members of the National Ballet of Spain. She is an accomplished choreographer, contributing five full ballets for the professional company, and many works for both the organization’s Youth Company and arts education program.
Jorge Perez, Executive & Associate Artistic Director, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his formal study of Spanish dance with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1985, through a scholarship opportunity. He continued his artistic training in the United States and in Spain, studying with such dance legends as Edo, Paco Alonso, Victorio Korjhan, Juanjo Linares, Roberto Lorca, Timo Lozano, Manolete, Carmela Greco, Paco Romero, Candela Soto, and Juan Mata and Ana González, founding members of the National Ballet of Spain.
David Perez was born in Alcalá de Guadaira, Seville, and is part of the young, dynamic generation of artists actively crossing between the worlds of performance and teaching. He trained at the Hermanas Villaú academy in Alcalá and danced with Salvadora Tavora around the world. From his beginnings at the tablao El Arenal, he worked at the tablaos of Los Gallos, Casa de la Memoria, Patio Sevillano and Casa Patas. He also participated in biennials, such those in Seville (2008) and in Rome (2009), with the show Noche de Sevilla along with Antonio Canales, Milagros Mengibar and Pastora Galván. David launched his first solo show, Flamencos, in the Jerez Festival, which toured in Asia, Africa, Holland, Kuwait and Turkey. Talented, versatile and dedicated, this young artist deftly balances his international engagements with teaching at the Academia de Manuel Betanzos.
Emilio Ramirez "El Duende" was born in Arahal, Seville, and his love for dancing began when he was only five years old, when he began to take classes in his town and later in the Sevillian town of Utrera. At the age of 12, he entered the Dance School of Alcalá de Guadaira, famous for developing several well-known Flamenco dancers. At 14, Emilio began to perform his art on stages around the world, such as in Paris, Rome, Bangkok and New York. At a very early age, Emilio started dancing under the direction of Las Hermanas Villaú. His great talent took him to Ballets Andaluz, one of the most famous ballet companies in Spain. He is considered one of the best Flamenco dancers in Spain and still dances throughout the world.
Pablo Rodarte
Pablo has well over 40 years of experience in Spanish dance performance, direction and choreography. He was the only American shown in the landmark film “Flamenco.” Pablo is the founder and director of the School of Flamenco and Spanish Dance and Company (Dance España) in Denver, and he was also a highly respected Spanish dance instructor and coach at the University of New Mexico for 12 years. The St. Louis Flamenco Society has greatly valued his services, both as a workshop instructor and as an advisor.