Year: 2026-2027
DanceForce Member: Hanaah Bates
Artists: Karen Lugo, Emilio Ochando, Carlota Santana
Community Partners: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
Audience: 435
Counties: New York, Saratoga

Flamenco Vivo presents the 12th Annual Flamenco Certamen USA, a development program for rising flamenco dancers that includes a weeklong training residency, live competition, and community engagement activities. While the Certamen is technically a competition, at its core, this project serves the participants by creating opportunities for exponential artistic growth and a deepened network among all involved.

Serving established flamenco artists, students, and community members, the Flamenco Certamen USA combines quality education and performance with community engagement to expand the growth of flamenco culture and artistry throughout New York State.

Up to 15 rising flamenco artists will be selected to participate as finalists in the Flamenco Certamen USA. Based on their application and experience, they will be placed into one of three levels: Estudio (student level), Tablao (pre-professional level), or Escenario (professional level). During the 1-week training residency at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (October 11-16, 2026), participating artists will work in depth with professional mentors to build their solos and build valuable connections with each other and the local community. We will then offer an open rehearsal and feedback session with the local Saratoga community to increase the visibility of these rising artists (estimated attendance 75). During our time in Saratoga, both the Certamen finalists and professional mentors will conduct additional engagement activities in partnership with SPAC’s education department including: an open level dance workshop for the community and 2 presentations during their Arts Around the World series, a program for 2nd-5th grade students. The presentations include a mini lecture demo, hands on workshop and Q&A. This builds on our community engagement programs conducted during our Oct 2025 Certamen Residency and our March 2025 technical residency at SPAC.

The competition will be held on October 17, 2026 at The Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater at Symphony Space (estimated in-person audience 190, 80 virtual attendees). Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of professional artists who will determine the winners that evening. Virtual passes will also be made available for two weeks following the performance allowing Flamenco Certamen USA to reach communities throughout North America, beyond those physically present to attend the competition in NYC.

Flamenco Certamen USA winners will receive free studio space, cash, the opportunity to participate as a guest at the Madrid Certamen de Coreografía de Danza Española y Flamenco, which includes admission to the Madrid Certamen Competition in Spain as well as access to workshops with esteemed flamenco artists. Additional winners will be awarded scholarships to study with our partners in Spain, including but not limited to: Escuela Flamenca Juan Polvillo (Sevilla), Estudio de Baile Flamenco Chiqui de Jerez, Flamenco Danza Estudio Úrsula y Tamara López (Sevilla). The Escenario level prizes include performance opportunities at renowned international tablaos (traditional flamenco performance venues) including Las Carboneras (Madrid), Tablao de Carmen (Barcelona) and Cava (Miami, FL).

The principal artists managing this project are Carlota Santana (Founding Artistic Director), Emilio Ochando (Associate Artistic Director) and Karen Lugo (Guest Artistic Director), with additional support from mentors Fanny Ara, Rebeca Tomas.