Year: 2024-2025
DanceForce Member: Carlota Santana
Artists: Leslie Roybal, Carlota Santana
Community Partners: Emilio Ochando, Fanny Ara
Audience: 520
Counties: New York, Westchester

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana presents the 10th 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, 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 ten 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 two levels: Estudio (student level) or Tablao (pre-professional level). During the 1-week training residency at Flamenco Vivo’s Midtown Manhattan studios, participating artists will have daily technique class and 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 an evening length public performance held on Friday, October 18, 2024 at The Bruno Walter Auditorium at the NYPL for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center (estimated in-person audience 200, 50 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 perform alongside Flamenco Vivo’s professional Company at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, NY (Westchester County) during the 2024-25 season (estimated audience 245).

The principal artists managing this project are Carlota Santana (Artistic Director) and Leslie Roybal (Director, Evolucion) with additional support from Emilio Ochando and Fanny Ara.