Year: 2014-2015
DanceForce Member: Carlota Santana
Artists: Amelia Hernandez, Capucine Murette, Anthony Rosario, Leslie Roybal, Carlota Santana
Community Partners: Lincoln Center Bruno Walter Auditorium, Menkes
Audience: 285
County: New York

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and the Center for Flamenco Arts presented the New York State Flamenco Certamen. The first competition of its kind in New York State, The Flamenco Certamen presented emerging talent to the public eye while fostering the continued development and exposure of the Flamenco art form. This project supported Flamenco Vivo’s goal of broadening outreach to the entire community and making the Flamenco art form a part of mainstream dance in the USA. It provided up-and-coming Flamenco artists with a rare opportunity to study with guest choreographer from Spain Enrique Vicent.

The Certamen was announced through our social media forums (Facebook/Twitter), digital marketing, NY cultural publicity platforms, and fliers. Eligible applicants submitted a statement of intent, a CV resume, and short video clip. Ten finalists were chosen out of 20 applicants and presented their work Friday evening October10 at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. The event was open to the public. The finalists were judged by a panel including Beverly D’Anne and Carla Maxwell.

The Center for Flamenco Arts provided each finalist with eight hours of studio space as well as a guitarist and singer for their final rehearsal hour. Finalists had one hour of coaching time with Associate Artistic Director Antonio Hidalgo and Center Director Leslie Roybal.

This project was much more successful than expected. The audience was standing room only. The artists and the community were very happy to get the opportunity to perform and to see the growth of the community and the audience response. Winners were 1) Amelia Hernandez; 2) Anthony Rosario; 3)Capucine Murette. First prize was $500. Second prize was $250. Third prize was free studio time which was also part of the prizes for first and
second place.