Year: 2025-2026
DanceForce Member: Hanaah Bates
Artists: Emilio Ochando; Carlota Santana
Audience: 775
Counties: New York; Saratoga

Flamenco Vivo presents the 11th Annual Flamenco Certamen USA, a development program for rising flamenco dancers that includes a weeklong training residency and live competition. On the surface, the Certamen is a competition for developing flamenco artists, however at its core, this project creates opportunities for exponential growth and a sense of unity among all those who participate. Serving both established flamenco artists, students and community members, the Flamenco Certamen 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 residing in North America will be selected to participate 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 Artista (professional level). During the 1-week training residency at Flamenco Vivo’s Midtown Manhattan studios, participating artists will work in depth with professional mentors to build their solos and generate valuable connections with each other and the local community. We will offer an open rehearsal and feedback session with the local NYC community to deepen the networks and visibility for these rising artists (estimated attendance 25).

The competition will be held over two evening length public performances on October 24-25, 2025 at The Triad Theater (estimated in-person audience 250, 80 virtual attendees). Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of professional community artists who will determine the winners that evening. 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). Virtual passes will also be made available for fourteen (14) days following the performance allowing Flamenco Certamen USA to reach communities beyond those physically present to attend the competition in NYC.

To expand the project’s reach beyond New York City, one finalist from the Certamen USA will be selected to apprentice alongside 3 of Flamenco Vivo’s professional artists during 2 days of outreach activities in Saratoga County in Fall 2025. This will build on our community engagement programs conducted during our March 2025 technical residency at SPAC (student matinees, open level workshops, and open rehearsals). We plan to partner with 2 schools who previously attended our student matinee to provide 2 lecture demonstrations and 2 workshops plus 1 open level workshop at SPAC.

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