Team

Artistic Director

Siudy Garrido

SIUDY GARRIDO, award-winning Choreographer and lifelong, trained Dancer, is one of today’s most impressive talents in the Flamenco dance scene. She has been hailed by both fans and the media worldwide. Ms. Garrido has been celebrated and praised as: “mesmerizing,” “first-class,” “perfection,” and “a queen”. She is recognized as a trailblazing Artist, blending traditional and contemporary techniques into a brand of Flamenco that’s entirely her own.

She is the Artistic Director of the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company, and leading the charge in the creation of seasonal programming for the community.

Ms. Garrido began performing on stage at the tender age of 5, in her native country of Venezuela. Her formal dance education started in her own mother’s academy, a celebrated school of Flamenco dance and choreography. Following in her mother’s footsteps and answering her ancestral calling, Ms. Garrido has dedicated her life to honoring the art of Flamenco. Thusly, exploring new concepts of dance, to include classical, contemporary, and jazz, serve as pathways to expand on time-honored Flamenco origins.

At just 9 years old, Ms. Garrido shared the stage with world famous Dancer Joaquín Cortés in the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, Venezuela. Ms. Garrido later moved to Spain and studied specialized dance techniques with instructors such as Ciro Diezhandino Nieto, Eduardo Serrano “El Güito”, María Magdalena, Kassandra “La China”, and Milagros Menjíbar. Ms. Garrido has also performed as a principal Dancer in acclaimed dance companies, such as Antonio Canales’ Ballet Flamenco, Adrián Galia’s Flamenco Company, and Domingo Ortega’s Flamenco Ortega.

Inspired by these experiences, Ms. Garrido established Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in 2000. She’s choreographed and performed her own, original works, including: Caminos flamencos (2000-2003), debuting in Epcot Center, Orlando FL; Body and Soul (2003-2005); Bailaora (2005-2007), which received Venezuela’s Municipal Award of Dance’s Honorable Mention; Siudy: Entre mundos (2008 –2015) an Off-Broadway production and Drama Desk Outstanding Choreography Nominee in 2011; Amor Brujo, and Flamenco íntimo (2016- 2019). Ms. Garrido continues to master Flamenco as part of her continuing mission of bringing this dazzling dance form to a broader Audience.

In July 2019, Ms. Garrido re-staged Amor brujo at the Hollywood Bowl in LA, CA, by invitation from the LA Philharmonic. (This production had been commissioned to Ms. Garrido and previously debuted in 2015, when it was conducted by the Music Director of the LA Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel.) This re-staged production mesmerized Audiences during 4 Sold-Out performances. It later toured nationally, first at the Aspen Music Festival, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru, then in Des Moines, IA, with Maestro Joseph Junta. In 2018 and 2019, it once again sold out many performances, this time while touring with the South Florida Symphony, led by Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso.

In November 2019, Ms. Garrido debuted Bailaora: an original Flamenco theater production, in association with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL.

In the summer of 2020, the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was featured in PBS, performing El amor brujo at Falla and Flamenco with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

Other notable works include choreography and performances of the opera Carmen with the Pittsburgh Opera, and La verbena de la paloma and The Three-Cornered Hat with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. 

During Ms. Garrido’s extensive career, she has gained the respect of Flamenco Artists who’ve joined her in different original productions. These include: maestro Antonio Canales with Siudy: Entre Mundos (2014-2015), and Juan Manuel Montoya “Farruquito” with Flamenco íntimo and Amor brujo (2015-2016).

Moreover, in 2010, Ms. Garrido was an Artist in Residence for world-renowned entertainment company Cirque du Soleil, providing its Las Vegas’ cast with an intensive Flamenco workshop. In 2017, Ms. Garrido was a Featured Performer at the Latin Grammy’s Person of The Year Gala, to celebrate acclaimed singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz. In 2019, the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was featured on Season 3 of NBC’s World of Dance, a primetime show executive-produced by Jennifer Lopez. Ms. Garrido has also collaborated with a wide range of Artists in the music industry, to include: Bebo y Cigala, Niña Pastori, Alejandro Sanz, and Romeo Santos. From touring independently to collaborative endeavors, Ms. Garrido’s mission has remained the same: presenting her vision of Flamenco to every possible Audiences, all while expanding the possibilities of Flamenco’s repertoire. Her deep love and unwavering commitment to her art and her work have enabled her to maintain a high level of performance and artistic recognition.

Director - Producer

Pablo Croce

Washington DC – United States 1969

Pablo Croce is internationally recognized for his career as a film director of music videos, commercials, and documentaries, as well as producer of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company shows from 2008 to the present.

Born in Washington, DC and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Pablo began his career in music as a guitarist, going through sound engineering until he reached the world of cinema as an editor and later as a director and producer.

He earned a degree at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fl, specializing as an editor with instructor Evan Lottman ACE. He studied actor directing with Judith Weston in Los Angeles and at the New York Film Academy, and modern harmony and composition at the Ars Nova School of Music, as well as Systems Engineering at the Metropolitan University of Caracas.

Pablo began editing movies and music videos in the early 2000s, and composes music for documentaries and television shows. In 2002, he launched his career as a director specializing in music videos, television commercials, and documentaries. He directed a 24-hour, half hour series for Discovery Kid and has directed advertising campaigns for companies such as Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, AT&T, Nickelodeon, Univision, and Telemundo, among others. In 2011 Pablo directed the documentary film Like Water, which earned him an award for best documentary director at the Tribeca film festival and official selection at the Rio International Film Festival. The film is about Anderson Silva, middleweight champion of the UFC defending the title against Chael Sonnen, said to be one of the biggest comebacks in sports history, and distributed by Lionsgate, with a theatrical release in the US and Brazil.

In 2013, he directed the documentary Salsa Giants, which became an Official Selection at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. A documentary that tells the story of the legacy and the presence of salsa today, the work features Marc Anthony and Cheo Feliciano among a group of 15 legends. He produced the documentary Rising Up about UFC Champion Benson Henderson for Fox Sports UFC Lightweight Champion.

During his career as a music video director, he has worked with artists such as Maná, Alejandro Fernandez, Gloria Trevi, Ednita Nazario, Franco de Vita, Romeo Santos, Paulina Rubio, Prince Royce, HaAsh, KaroG and Luis Fonsi, among others.

As a show producer, he joined Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in 2005, producing each of the shows until the present, and as co-director of Entre Mundos, a work presented for 3 consecutive months on Off Broadway New York.

In 2020 Pablo premiered the documentary film Siudy Entre Mundos, 50 shows del Sueño Americano, at the Miami Film Festival, and the film is already an official selection at 16 international film festivals and winner of two awards for Best Documentary. The film presents more than 8 years of material of Siudy and her company and tells how they made their way to the Off Broadway stages in New York.

Recognitions:

– Best Latin Documentary Film Market 2020 “Siudy Entre Mundos”

– Best Documentary Oklahoma Latino Film Festival 2020 “Siudy Entre Mundos”

– Best Director of Documentaries TRIBECA 2011 “Like Water”

– Best 2006 MTV Music Video, Maná – “Shared Lips”

– Best Music Video OYE 2006, Maná – “Shared Lips”

– Best Music Video URBE 2005 Caramelos de Cianuro – “Ultimo Polvo”

– Best Music Video 4 times nominated for a Latin Grammy

– Best Music Video 6 times nominated for the Billboard Awards

Guitar - Composer - Musical Director

José Luis de la Paz

Huelva – Spain, 1967

José Luis de La Paz is an award-winning guitarist, recognized in the three disciplines of Flamenco art : composer, virtuoso, and performer, whose original compositions range from the most traditional to the most experimental forms of Flamenco music. His deep knowledge of tradition combined with his passion for research and his contemporary approach to Flamenco music makes José Luis one of the most powerful guitarists today.
From 2012 to the present, maestro Jose Luis de la Paz has collaborated with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company as a composer and performer, creating original music for the shows Entre Mundos, Flamenco Intimo, Bailaora, and Amor Brujo, highlighting the latter with presentations with LA PHIL and instructor Gustavo Dudamenl in 2015 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and in the summer of 2019 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

From a young age Jose Luis became the protegée of the legendary Mario Escudero. In 1995 he appeared in Félix Grande’s book Agenda Flamenca as one of the best guitarists in Spain.
Jose Luis was musical director and composer of the Cristina Hoyos Ballet for ten years and has accompanied renowned Flamenco singers and dancers such as: Carmen Linares, Jose Mercé, Arcángel, Argentina Lopez, Manolo Marin, Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Concha Buika, Belen Maya, and Siudy Garrido, among others.

Jose Luis’s work goes far beyond the parameters of Flamenco. His music cannot be labeled only as Flamenco, but as world music, as can be seen in one of his latest collaborations with the composer Colin Farish in his work East of the Evening Star. In 2015 he debuted his symphonic work Avalon: Flamenco Suite for Guitar and Orchestra, in collaboration with Alex Conde and Berto Boyd in Miami, Florida , and in 2017 he was invited to perform at the Concert of Aranjuez with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Joseph Giunta. In 2019 he created the score for the film Finding Compass by Kathy Douglas. Over the course of his career, Jose Luis has has recorded 5 albums of his own authorship: Andalusí (1987), Copilation Select (2003), Memoria Andaluzi (2005), 10X1 (2011), Escenas de Yerma (2016), and Introspective (2020).

Flute - Composer - Musical Director

Juan Parrilla

Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) – Spain, 1968

Maestro Juan Parrilla’s first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company took place in 2019, composing the complete work of the production Bailaora and participating as a special guest on the US tour of the show Flamenco intimo. Juan Fernández Gálvez, recognized worldwide as maestro Juan Parrilla, studied flute at the Jerez Conservatory and later moved to Madrid where he studied with Andrés Carreres.

He comes from one of the great Flamenco families and is one of the greatest exponents of new Flamenco. He is one of the most soughtout composers by the greatest dance figures, such as Antonio Canales, Aída Gómez, Rafael Amargo, Farruquito, Maria Juncal and Siudy Garrido , among others.

Notably, he is recognized for composing the music of the most successful Flamenco show in the world Pasión Gitana by Joaquin Cortes. He has worked as a teacher in the school of new music, in the higher center for Flamenco studies, and as coordinator in the area of music, and is the author of the Flamenco Method for Melodic Instruments.

He gives seminars at the Superior Conservatory of Atocha (Madrid), J. Villatoro Conservatory (Jerez de la Frontera), Tarazona Conservatory, Jopma Seminary (Málaga), Professional Music Conservatory (Gijón-2015), and Professional Music Conservatory (Segovia).
His discography includes collaborations on recordings by Carmen Linares such as La Luna en el río, and Ancient popular songs (interpreter and arranger); Vicente Soto’s Pessoa Flamenco; Amalgama’s Encuentro with Karnakata collage of percussion; Sorderita’s Motivos; Ketama’s La pipa de kiff; Manolo Sanlucar’s Eight Andalusian monuments; Jose Mercé’s Undressing the soul, Deep roots, and To know about your love ; Matt Bianco’s World go round; Robi Drako Rosa’s Mad Love, and Pasión Gitana (as performer, composer and arranger); Gipsy passion band’s Soul, Live at The Royal Albert Hall (as performer, composer and arranger); Salome, with Roque Baños (performer, composer and arranger); Diego el Cigala’s Between vareta and basket, El Negri’s The last kiss and My Time; Javier Krahe’s And everything is vanity, Pitingo’s Change of third (as interpreter and arranger); Prima Materia’s Materia Flamenca; and Juan Parrilla’s Taxdirt.

Electric Guitar - Composer

Manuel Fernandez

Madrid – Spain, 1995

Manuel Fernández Muñoz collaborated for the first time with Siudy Garrido Fla-menco Company in the show Bailaora where he participates as an interpreter and composer, bringing new colors to traditional Flamenco music.

Manuel started playing the guitar at the age of 12, coming from one of the great Flamenco families (Los Parrilla).

His musical interests cover all kinds of music and styles, from rock to Flamenco.

He has composed and produced for all kinds of formations, and has been sought out as a guitarist by great figures such as Pitingo & Juan Carmona (Souleria); José Mercé (My only key); Aída Gómez (Adali); interpreter and composer Juan Parrilla (Taxdirt); Fernando Soto (Gitaneria); Enrique de Melchor (Flamenco roots). He is currently collaborating as guitarist and arranger in the latest production by Manuel Parrilla.

Costume Designer

Veronica Porras

Born in Caracas Venezuela, organically started her career in Miami as a Celebrity Stylist in early 2000, captured by the dynamics and freedom of the music and the creativity of the fashion business, working from world tours, music videos, red carpets, Vegas residencies, award shows to fashion editorials.

She started in The Company in the year 2010 co-designing Siudy Between Worlds for the Off Broadway season which later toured throughout the United States, Canada, Venezuela and Mexico. Since then she has participated in almost all the costume design and styling of Siudy’s shows, creating an identity that always evolves but is distinctive of Siudy.

Board of Trustees - Costume Designer

Maritza Filomena Fernández

Maritza Filomena Fernandez, designer and founder of the clothing brand Filo-mena Fernandez.

The Asian-inspired women’s clothing line emphasizes modern minimalism that is practical and sophisticated. Filomena brings originality and femininity to styles.

Filomena Fernandez opened her first flagship store in Coral Gables, Florida in 2012.

Born in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela, with Italian roots, Maritza Fernández spent her childhood surrounded by water, mountains and homemade pasta. Her grandmother, Filomena, became her role model and dear friend. As a child and thanks to Filomena’s support, Maritza began to develop her crea-tivity and sense of fashion. This led her to The Design Academy Institute in Caracas, Venezuela, where Maritza graduated as a fashion designer in 1989. That same year she moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she worked as a design as-sistant to Kyoko Higa on Rose is a Rose. In 1992, Maritza moved to Miami and continued her career with Kyoko, selling the clothing line in the United States. After 23 years as partners, the designer developed Filomena Fernandez, a brand that represents the fusion of Latin American culture and femininity with Asian simplicity and aestheticism.

Today the brand is produced in Italy and the United States. The line includes ready-to-wear collections and made-to-order haute couture pieces.

Maritza Filomena Fernandez has been part of the board of trustees of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company since 2015 and in 2019 she participated as a cos-tume designer for the latest creation of the company “Bailaora”.

Board of Trustees - Merchandising

Migdalia Salazar

Migdalia Salazar, currently a Miami resident, was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She attended the Metropolitan University and the Antonio José de Sucre University Institute, both in Caracas, to study Civil Engineering and Architecture Technical Level. She studied painting in his hometown and fashion design in Milan and London. She studied painting in her hometown and fashion design in Milan and London. During the last 11 years, she has studied photography in different cities around the world: London (2009), Montreal (2010-2012), Miami (2006 to the present). She has also collaborated with non-profit organizations to help his home country. She had her first solo exhibition, Living in Flamenco, 2017 at the Spanish Cultural Center in Miami, where she captured much of the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company’s work and her latest work is currently on display at the MADI Museum of Geometry and Art in Dallas, Texas.

Migdalia has always been very close to Siudy Garrido’s work capturing images since its beginnings in Venezuela and has been a Siudy Flamenco board member since the company moved to the City of Miami in 2015. Migdalia is an active collaborator of the company, particularly from the photographic visual stand point. And most recently she designed the company’s 2020/2021 merchandising line for the Siudy Flamenco Store.

Lighting Designer & Engineer

Oscar Gomez

In 1998 he joined the company Ballet Flamenco Antonio Canales as a lighting assistant, in 1999 he started working at the company Event Marco Técnico S.A. As a lighting technician, conducting a multitude of events, assemblies, concerts and presentations.

He continued his training in these two companies as a free-lance technician until 2001 where he began to work as a lighting operator at the Cristina Hoyos Flamenco Ballet Company, with the show Tierra Adentro.

In 2002 he took over the technical direction of the company and premiered the show “Al compás del tiempo” in which he made his first lighting design. That same year I worked on the design of the stage and lighting of the Hotel Tri-ana space as well as the operator for all the shows presented in this space at the Seville Flamenco Biennial 2002.

Until 2005, I worked as a lighting operator and technical director for different companies, Antonio Canales Flamenco Ballet, Cristina Hoyos Flamenco Ballet, Manuela Carrasco Flamenco Ballet, Farruquito Flamenco Company, Niña Pas-tori, Pianist David Peña Dorantes, Accelerated Diabetic Theater Company.

In 2007 he started working at the company EML SOUND & LIGHT PRODUC-TIONS SL, as a lighting technician forming part of the assembly team on the Alejandro Sanz “The Train of Moments” tour, Héroes del silencio, Alejandro Fernández, Extremo Duro.

Dancer

Analí Alcantara Gordils

“Flamenco, by and for life”

Caracas – Venezuela. 1987

Analí has been part of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company since 2005, participating in each of the company’s tours, as part of the cast of En cuerpo y Alma, Entre Mundos, Flamenco Intimo, Amor Brujo (highlighting the 2019 presentation at the Hollywood Bowl where she played the main character of “Lucia”) and Bailaora, in which she also collaborated as choreographic assistant to Siudy Garrido. Analí has participated with Siudy Flamenco in various collaborations and TV specials such as Premios Lo Nuestro and World of Dance (Season 3).

In 2003 she began teaching Flamenco at Academia Siudy in her hometown, where she also served as general coordinator, until 2014 when she moved to Spain. Currently, Analí alternates her commitments with Siudy Flamenco in Miami and her teaching of Flamenco dance in Granada and Seville. She also writes a blog about Flamenco called Flamenlove in which she shares her knowledge as a social communicator and dancer from another form of Flamenco art studio, not only from the classroom but behind the books, videos and files.

As the daughter of a classical dancer, dance was always present in her life. Beginning her studies at the tender age of 3 in PreBallet with her mother Marilyn Gordils and entering the world of Flamenco at age 5 with her head teacher Siudy Garrido at Academia Siudy in her hometown.

Within Flamenco dance, she has specialized in the Amor de Dios Arts Center in Madrid and various schools in Granada and Seville, highlighting the teachers: Antonio Canales, Farruquito, María Juncal, Alfonso Loza, La Lupi, La Moneta and Oscar Quero, who have had a great influence on her training. She complements her dance studies with knowledge of classical ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance.

Dancer

Daniela Rosi

“Feel, express, live … Never stop fighting for your dreams, they are what keep us alive”

Caracas – Venezuela, 1982

Daniela has been part of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company since 2004. In her extensive career with the company, she has participated in the tours of En cuerpo y Alma, Entre Mundos, Flamenco Intimo, Amor Brujo and Bailaora. Together with the company, she has participated in collaborations with artists of such stature as Romeo Santos and Alejandro Sanz, and in TV programs such as Premios Lo Nuestro and World Of Dance (Season 3).

Her first approach to the arts was at the age of 5 via studies of painting and music. At 6 years of age she discovered Flamenco which would become her great passion, receiving training with teachers such as Tatiana Reyna, Paloma Marín and La China. Over the years, she has specialized her training through workshops by renowned teachers such as: Rafael Campallo, Daniela Tugues, Maria Juncal, Alfonso Losa, Jesús Carmona, Antonio Canales, Helena Pachon, and Siudy Garrido, among others. Daniela has complemented her training in Flamenco art with jazz, ballet, and contemporary studies at Broadway Dance Center (New York). In 1997, she participated in the Compañía Flamenca de Tatiana Reyna, Arte y Duende, highlighting her presentations at the Paris Louvre Museum and in Madrid at UNESCO, among others.

In the year 1999 Daniela began her career as a teacher in Flamenco dance,in her hometown, which she continues to practice to this day in Miami, where she has been living since 2012.

Dancer

Carolina Celeste Torres

“Flamenco is my way of life, my inspiration, Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company is the vehicle to express everything”

Miami, Florida – 1986

In 2017 Carolina began the professional training program at Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in Miami, and entered as a substitute for the company in 2018. In 2019, Carolina became part of the cast of Siudy Flamenco, participating in the reality show World of Dance (Season 3) on NBC, and toured with the company for the shows of Flamenco Intimo, Amor Brujo and Bailaora.

Carolina began her dance training in the genres of jazz and tap at Mary Linick Studios in Miami, Florida. At the age of 8, she went on to study ballet, Spanish dance, and Flamenco (her true love) at Ballet Concerto with Martha del Pino, Eduardo Recalt and Sonia Díaz from the National Ballet of Cuba. She continued her Flamenco studies with Clarita Filgueiras and in 2010, she participated in the II Cilco Dedicated to the Formation of Flamenco Dance in Madrid, Spain at the prestigious Amor de Dios Flamenco School, specializing her studies with renowned teachers such as: La Truco, Maria Juncal , Carmela Greco and Pepa Molina. Carolina complements her Flamenco studies with Spanish folk dance and has specialized her training through workshops with renowned figures such as Eva la Yerbabuena, Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Rocio Molina, Pablo Egea, Cristian “El Truco”, Antonio “El Farru,” Alfonso Losa, La Lupi, Belen Maya, Manuel Gago, Irene “La Chiqui de Malaga” and Siudy Garrido. From 2009 to 2017 she was part of the Pure Flamenco Dance Company and participated as a guest in productions by choreographer Rosa Mercedes.

From 2008 to the present, Carolina also works as a Flamenco dance teacher.

Dancer

Andrea González Parra

“The secret of excellence is in the hours of study. Being part of the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company, has created in me a before and after as a bailaora”.

Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela – 1993

Andrea debuted as a cast of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the summer of 2019, debuting in the play Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater in Los Angeles, California together with LA PHIL (Los Angeles Philharmonic), continuing in September of that same year on the tour within the United States of the show Flamenco Intimo and in November, the premiere of the company’s new show Bailaora.

Andrea’s first involvement with Siudy Flamenco was in 2016 where she began advanced level studies at Siudy Flamenco School in Mami, studying directly with Siudy Garrido.

In 2019, she became part of the staff of teachers at Siudy Flamenco School, teaching classes to adult initiation groups and young people at an intermediate/advanced level.

Andrea began her Flamenco dance studies at 3 years of age in her hometown at the Ballet Flamenco Mirabrás School, with teachers Maria Gracia Paris and Elisa Rodriguez. That same year, she began her musical career at the Jacinto Lara Conservatory, receiving classes in theory and music theory, percussion and singing, influenced by her parents Antonio Gonzalez (Percussionist) and Silvina Parra (Violinist), founders of the National System of Children’s Orchestras and Choirs from Venezuela.

In 2003 she moved to the City of Maracaibo, Zulia State, continuing her training at La Girondina Academy, with Marines Romero and Andreina Gutierrez and in 2015, she settled in Miami, Florida.

In her career as a bailaora, Andrea has enhanced her Flamenco dance studies under the tutelage of such renowned artists as Maria Juncal, Domingo Ortega, Jose Manuel El Oruco, Belen Maya, Olga Pericet, Jose Maya, Ivan Vargas, La Truco, Alfonso Losa and Jesus Carmona, among others.

Dancer

Orianna Torres Ortega

“Try it, make a mistake and start again, but never stop dancing”

Caracas – Venezuela 1997

Orianna is one of the first dancers formed by the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company’s professional training program in Miami. She joined the company in 2017 and has since been part of the cast of the shows Amor Brujo, Flamenco Intimo, and Bailaora. Orianna has also participated in various private events, television appearances, and music videos, as well as touring with the company.

In 2015 Orianna joined Siudy Flamenco School, where she continues her education and training today.

Orianna began her Flamenco studies in her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 4 at El Rocío Flamenco School.
In 2009 she moved to the City of Weston in Florida where she currently resides. There, she continued her training from 2011 to 2016 at the Angeles Gitanos School with Flamenco teacher Monika Lange.

From ages 13 to 18, she participated in local singing competitions such as Stage Masters and in 2014, she received a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music Summer Program.

She complements her training in Flamenco dance with workshops by renowned teachers such as Siudy Garrido, Siudy Quintero, Antonio “El Farru,” Farruquito, Pablo Egea, La Truco, Domingo Ortega, Antonio Canales, María Juncal, Alfonso Losa, Jesus Carmona, José Maya, José Luis de la Paz (guitar), “La China,” Sara Arévalo Serrano, Carmen Garza, and participation in the IV International Flamenco Seminar in Málaga Online with teachers such as La Lupi, Carmen Ledezma and Rocio Molina, among others.

Dancer

Anabella Amanaú

“When I dance the world stops spinning and time goes by”

Plantation, Florida – 2002

In 2017 Anabella entered the professional training program of Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company, at barely 15 years of age, being one of the youngest bailaoras to enter the program. After a little more than a year of training, she became part of the cast of the shows Amor Brujo, Flamenco Intimo, and Bailaora, also participating in various private events, television appearances, and national as well as international tours of the company, including performing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California with the LA PHIL (Los Angeles Philharmonic).

Anabella began her Flamenco studies at age 4 at Jennie’s Dance Studio in Weston, Florida and painting at age 5 at Weston Art Center.

In 2015 she entered Siudy Flamenco School where she studied directly with Siudy Garrido. She complements her training with workshops by renowned dancers such as: Siudy Garrido, La Truco, Jesus Carmona, Farru, Patricia Cinquemani, José Luis de la Paz, and Siudy Quintero.

Anabella participated as a dancer and model in the videos 100 años with Prince Royce and HA-ASH, and Vamo’ a la Calle with Chyno Miranda and Carlos Baute.

Dancer

Isabella Calicchio Ortiz

“Siudy Flamenco represents the complicity of the same passion in the desire to share what we carry inside”

Barquisimeto, Lara Estate – Venezuela, 1999

In 2019 Isabella entered Siudy Flamenco School and moved to the City of Miami where she currently resides. In 2020 she became part of the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company as a substitute dancer. Isabella’s first approach to the arts was at 5 years of age with gymnastics, classical ballet, and what would become her great passion, Flamenco. Her main teachers have been Solangel Anguiano, Keyla Pineda and Lohennys Rivero in her hometown at the Escuela Superior de Arte Flamencos y Danzas Granada.

Her first steps as a professional dancer were in the Torbellino award as a junior group in 2015 with the company of Lohennys Rivero and sharing the stage with maestro Antonio Canales and Monica Fernandez that same year, produced by Danzas Granada. At 16 years of age, she moved to Orlando Florida where she worked as a Flamenco dance teacher from 2017 to 2018.

Isabella complements her training by studying cajon percussion, American tap, and Venezuelan Folklore.

She has carried out more than 25 Flamenco workshops with important figures such as: Antonio Canales, La Truco, Siudy Garrido, Siudy Quintero, Mónica Fernández, Alfonso Losa, Fran Vilchez, Carmen Garza, Ángel Rojas, José Cortez (dance and percussion), Daniela Tugues , Ivan Vallejo, Antonio Vallejo, Carmen Villena, and Francisco Vallejo (percussion), among others.

Singer

Manuel Gago

Cádiz – Spain, 1971

The first time that Manuel collaborated with Siudy Garrido as a cantaor, Siudy was barely 15 years old, and from the launching of her company in 2000 until today, Manuel has collaborated in practically all original Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company productions, including Caminos Flamencos, En Cuerpo y Alma, Entre Mundos, Flamenco Intimo, and Bailaora.

Manuel has traveled the world, singing in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and has participated in countless Flamenco singing and dance festivals.

He started singing at the tender age of 5 within a family of Flamenco singers. At the age of fourteen he sang at Flamenco festivals with such well-known singers as Juan Villar, Charo Lobato and Rancapino. Later, he began singing for companies and renowned Flamenco dancers, including Joaquín Cortés, Sara Baras, Rafaela Carrasco, Belén Maya, El Güito, Manolete, Javier Barón, Cristóbal Reyes, Concha Jareño, Olga Pericet, Noche Flamenca, and Siudy Garrido, among others.

Currently he combines his performance on stage with Flamenco singing courses at Siudy Flamenco School and various Flamenco art organizations in tandem with the development of his recording projects.
In 2017, Manuel Gago released his first album Diversidad.

Percussion

Adolfo Herrera

Caracas – Venezuela, 1975

Adolfo H Herrera is one of the most talented and versatile musicians on the South Florida music scene. He has over 70 commercial album recordings to his credit, including 4 Latin Grammy Award nominations. Adolfo participated in his first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in 2006. Since that time, he has been one of the main collaborating musicians in each of the company’s productions, forming part of the cast of the productions En cuerpo y Alma, Entre Mundos, Flamenco Initimo, Amor Brujo, and Bailaora. He has also participated in various TV specials and is one of the main figures featured in the documentary Siudy Between Worlds, released in 2020.

Adolfo works as a drummer, percussionist (live and session), arranger, music director, and producer. He is currently part of the GRADECIDO Tour by Jose Luís Rodriguez “El Puma.” He is also a Yamaha Artist, LP Artist (Latin Percussion) and plays Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals, performing with such entities as the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Raíces Jazz Orchestra (with Tony Succar and Pablo Gil), De La Paz Ensemble, and Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company. His versatility encompasses a large number of styles that he has mastered throughout his career, including jazz, rock, pop, ska, Latin, Afro-Venezuelan folklore, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and Flamenco, among others.

Adolfo currently resides in the city of Miami.

Singer

Ismael Fernández

Sevilla – Spain

Rated by The Washington Post as the “most charismatic performer” and a “link to the gypsy source,” Ismael Fernández of Gypsy descent, grew up performing at Flamenco festivals around the world with his internationally renowned family, “La Familia Fernández.”

In 2015, he collaborated for the first time with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the premiere of Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles California with LA PHIL and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. From then to the present, Ismael has collaborated in various of Siudy’s shows such as Flamenco Intimo and her latest creation Bailaora.

In 2017, he performed with Siudy Garrido and El Carpeta in the tribute to Alejandro Sanz at the Latin Grammy Awards, and lent his voice to Ricky Martin’s program All In! for the number Lola Lola.

Ismael’s career began in the main Flamenco tablaos of Spain. In 2004, Ismael won the Córdoba National Contest, singing for the famous dancer Soraya Clavijo, and was a finalist at the Festival De Cante De La Unión. He joins his family regularly to perform at the Seville Flamenco Biennial. Throughout his career, Ismael has worked with Flamenco legends such as Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Marina Heredia, El Torombo and Rafaela Carrasco, among others.

For several years, Ismael has also been a prominent member of the Maria Pages company. He currently resides in New York, where he moved in 2014 together with Flamenco dancer Sonia Olla, his partner on and off the stage. Since then, he has combined cante classes with performances at internationally renowned venues such as The New York City Center, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), Carnegie Hall (New York, NY). Ismael has made several appearances on radio and television, highlighting NYC Arts on PBS, as well as Tele5, Radio Nacional de España, Cadena Ser, Punto Radio and Onda Cero.

. Ismael and Sonia collaborated with pop icon Madonna for her Rebel Heart Tour during 2015-2016, and samples of Ismael’s voice are featured during La Isla Bonita.

Ismael currently continues to collaborate with various artists and musical projects.

Singer

David Sanchez “El Galli”

Barcelona – Spain, 1978

El Galli’s first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in the year 2017 with the production Flamenco Intimo. Since then, El Galli endows each production of the company with his purity in cante.

Born in Barcelona, El Galli moved to his family’s native town of Morón de la Frontera in Seville at the age of 10, a place where the Flamenco tradition quickly influenced him.

His voice has graced the stages of renowned festivals such as the Seville Biennial, the Mont de Marsan Flamenco Festival, the Alburquerque International Festival, Utrera’s El Potaje Gitano, the Murcia Union, the Morón Gazpacho, and many others. He has also shared the stage with world renowned Flamenco artists such as Cristina Hoyos, Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Dorantes, Raimundo Amador, Paco de Lucía, Sara Baras, among others.

Singer

Rafael de Utrera

Utrera – Spain, 1973

Rafael de Utrera’s first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in 2016 with the show Flamenco Intimo.

Born in Utrera, Rafael de Utrera started singing Flamenco from a very young age under the influence of his father, who owns a Flamenco club in his hometown of Utrera. By the age of ten, Rafael had already performed in Andalusia with his brother.

In 1997 the famous Spanish bailaora Cristina Hoyos invited him to join her cast on her world tour. In 2000, Rafael’s ability as a singer gained greater recognition when he became a finalist in the cante contest at the XI Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla. Shortly after that, in 2001, Rafael de Utrera made his most significant breakthrough when Paco de Lucía himself asked him to accompany him on his world tour of Europe, Japan and America. Since then, Rafael has performed on frequent tours of Europe and North America. He has collaborated on albums with artists such as José Mercé, José Antonio Rodríguez, Niño de Pura, Vicente Amigo’s latest album with Alejandro Sanz, Enrique Morente and Niña Pastori, and he is featured in the documentary on the life of Paco de Lucía. His most recent collaboration was with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra under the direction of Vince Mendoza, in which he recorded a live album called Proyecto Lorca. Currently, Rafael performs with guitarist Vicente Amigo and his cast that includes his wife, bailaora Carmen Lozano.

Percussion

Diego Alvarez “El Negro”

Caracas, Venezuela, 1976

El Negro, born Diego Álvarez Muñoz, maestro of the cajón, is today one of the most prominent percussionists on the world scene, recognized as one of the best cajoneros today.

Having earned over 12 Latin Grammy nominations, El Negro won a 2010 Latin Grammy for Best Rock Album of the Year for Sera by La Vida Boheme. His first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in 2006, and since then he has participated in numerous company productions.

As the son of the famous Venezuelan singer Morella Muñoz (1935 – 1995), he has had a life marked by music.

El Negro was born in Venezuela and lived in Spain for 16 years, where he developed his career with the most prestigious Flamenco dance companies such as Joaquín Cortez, Antonio Canales, Sara Baras, Nuevo Ballet Español and Paco Peña among others. One of his main objectives is to promote the cajón as a universal instrument, showing its main roots in Peru and Flamenco.

He currently lives in Los Angeles, California, where he continues to work with different musical projects between Flamenco and jazz.

Piano - Keyboards

Manuel Gamez

Caracas – Venezuela 1982

Manuel Gamez participated for the first time with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the year 2019 as with the show “Bailaora”.

A pianist, arranger, and composer with a long career in music, Manuel’s training began under the tutelage of maestro Gerry Weil for over 11 years, and in 2007 he joined the Simón Bolívar Jazz Big Band under the direction of maestro Andres Briceños.

In 2011, Manuel moved to the United States to continue his musical work and his studies as a pianist.

Since then he has accompanied countless artists such as Il Voló, Cachao All Star Band, Eddie Santiago, Tito Rojas, Lalo Rodriguez, “El Puma” José Luis Rodríguez, Las Morillos, Kiara, Karina, Diveana, Elisa Regó, Guillermo Dávila, Ricardo Rodriguez, and many others.

He has produced 4 albums for Gus Ormo (symphonic pop album), Wilmer Bolivar (Christian album), Mariana Risquez (pop album), Ángel Lucena (bolero album) and as an arranger in the productions of singer Mariela Mejia.

Dancer - Actor

George Akram

Caracas – Venezuela

George Akram is a dancer, actor, and choreographer recognized for starring in Broadway shows and appearances in well known TV series, movies, and music videos.

His first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in 2012 playing the main character of the musical Between Worlds / Entre Mundos, a character that he performed until 2015, touring the US, Latin America, and Canada. His next collaboration with the company was as the character of the Spectrum, in the emblematic work of Manuel de Falla Amor Brujo, which premiered in 2015 and continues to tour to this day. Highlights of these tours include performances with LA PHIL at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

Nacido y criado en Caracas, Venezuela, estuvo involucrado en el mundo del espectáculo desde temprana edad. At 17 years of age, he emigrated to the United States and continued his artistic training in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, working in prestigious events such as the Latin Grammy Awards, Latin Billboards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Selena Vive, Viña del Mar Festival, Premio Lo Nuestro, and Premios Juventud, among others.

In 2005 he joined ZUMBA performing the choreography for two DVD editions and a national tour of the United States as part of the first ZES group.

That same year, he made his debut in the film “Stuck On You” directed by the Farrelly brothers. He also worked in the soap opera Las Dos Caras de Ana and the played the antagonistic character in the musical “Visa para un Sueño”. In 2008, George was selected by the legendary Arthur Laurents to play the role of Bernardo in the new version of the musical West Side Story at the Palace Theater in New York City, completing the longest season in history for a WSS production in January 2011.

Since then, George has been invited to play the same character for the Rita Moreno tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors (2015), Hollywood Bowl (2016), Salzburg Opera Festival (2016) and in the summer of 2019 at the world premiere of West Side Story in Tokyo, Japan. Over the course of his career, he has starred in several music videos with Maná (Until I Met You), Alejandro Sanz feat. Marc Anthony (Let me kiss you), San Luis Feat. Silvestre Dangond (Como Yo) and debuted as a protagonist on the big screen with My Friend Vijay, Km72 (2015) and Sins Of Our Youth (2015).

His debut on North American television occurred at the beginning of 2017 when he participated in the renowned CBS series NCIS Los Angeles, as well as the series “Jane, The Virgin”, and the very popular “Grey’s Anatomy”.
In 2020 he took on the directing challenge with Victor Drija’s music video Why don’t you come?

Singer

Argentina Lopez

Huelva, Andalusia, Spain – 1984

“When Argentina sings, the duende becomes meat, or, better yet, it becomes cante” Antonio Illán – Music Critic – ABC newspaper

Argentina María López Tristancho, known artistically as Argentina Lopez partici-pated in her first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in 2015 with the premiere of the play Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California, conducted by maestro Gustavo Dudamel. Argentina interpreted the leading voice and character in the work. Since then, Argentina has toured with the company as a special guest playing this character, including during the most recent presentation of the work in summer 2019 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

A versatile artist whose range encompasses Flamenco as well as other music such as Cuban Son, Salsa, Portuguese Fado, Argentine Tango, and music with Symphonic Orchestra, Argentina received two Latin Grammy nominations in 2013 and 2015. She has per-formed on the best stages in Spain and around the world. She has per-formed on the best stages in Spain and around the world.

Her album La vida del Artista, released in 2017, highlights artistic creation in all its aspects. Other recordings include Argentina, which was her debut album, published in 2006, and the Critics Award choice for the Best Revelation Album, Las minas de Egypt, published at the end of 2009. Un viaje por el cante was released in September 2012, and garnered her first nomination for the Latin Grammy while celebrated by critics as the “Best Flamenco album of the year.” This consolidated her fame despite her youth and she became a great figure of the genre at 28 years of age. Her next recording, Sinergia was released at the end of 2014 as a double disc / dvd recorded live at the Lope de Vega Theater in Seville and the Isabel La Católica Theater in Granada. This album earned Argentina her second Latin Grammy nomination. In 2017, she released The Artist’s Life. The famed Revista Flamenca El Colmao said of this work: “Record works such as The life of the artist by Argentina enhance universal Flamenco.” At the end of 2019, Argentina released Su Primera Navidad, a Christmas holiday al-bum, which has enjoyed great success.

Dancer

Farruquito

Sevilla – Spain, 1982

Heir to a unique school founded by Farruco, his grandfather, Farrquito has spent his entire life immersed in the purest Flamenco art.

In 2015, he entered into his first collaboration with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company, playing the character of Carmelo in the adaptation of Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla, directed by and starring Siudy Garrido, which presented 4 sold out gala concerts with the LA PHIL and maestro Gustavo Dudamel at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. That same year he also participated as a special guest in the company’s production of “Flamenco Intimo”.

Farruquito debuted on the international scene at age 4 on Broadway with the show Flamenco Puro, sharing the bill with the most legendary figures in Flamenco, including his family. At the age of 11 he appeared in the film Flamenco, by Carlos Saura. That same year, he created and choreographed the film Bodas de Gloria. In 1992 he had the honor of sharing the stage with his grandfather at the opening of the Paralympic Games in Barcelona.

At the age of 15 he created his first show, Raíces Flamencas, which debuted at the Royal Festival Hall in London and continued to tour with great success around the world. In 2001, he was named best artist to walk on the Big Apple (The New York Times). The following year, Farruquito triumphed in his hometown of Seville, with a full season at the Central Theater. After his third season of the Flamenco Festival in the United States, he embarked on a cross-country tour of this country. Soon after that, Farruquito was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by People magazine.

In 2003, the Spanish Academy of Music honored him for the lyrics of Dulce Canela on the María de Niña Pastori album and for his zapateo accompaniment on the Jeros tribute album. The popularity of his next premiere, Alma Vieja, at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, led to a highly successful European tour.

In the summer of 2008 he premiered his production Puro, and in 2010 he premiered Sonerías at the Seville Flamenco Biennial. Invited by the prestigious fashion brand Louis Vuitton, Farruquito starred in Mirror of Passion. He triumphed at the premiere of Baile Flamenco (El Mundo) after a sold out season of this show, with costumes designed by Louis Vuitton and Berlutti. In 2013, Farruquito created Improvisao, a world tour show. Farruquito returned to the United States for a coast-to-coast tour in 2016 and 2018.

Dancer

Manuel Gutierrez

Manuel Gutiérrez Cabello was born in Montpellier, France, after his parents had emigrated to the south of France from Córdoba, Spain.

From a very young age, he demonstrated a talent for dancing, winning his first Flamenco award at the age of 8. He began to develop his unique style under the direction of Lita Peiro, José Galván and later with Joaquin Grilo and Javier Latorre. At the age of twenty, Gutiérrez began producing works and dancing throughout Europe with legendary artists such as Duquende, Chicuelo, Juan Carmona, and Chispa Negra. He also began collaborating with leading French choreographers Redha, Marjorie Ascione, and Gerome Zerbie.

In 2008, Manuel was invited to choreograph the production Flamenco Flamen’ka, which sold out at the Lyric Theater in London and was presented for five years in Great Britain and France. Gutiérrez’s fame as a choreographer and producer was on the rise. The London Telegraph called his work “Fiery.” Danse magazine dubbed him “The Young Flemish Prince.” The Figarro newspaper praised him saying, “The dance is strong, voluptuous and spectacular … a deep and incredibly explosive Flamenco”. Manuel was invited to teach at the best studios in Europe, including L’Opéra de Paris. During this period, he worked in television and theater productions as a choreographer / dancer, on such projects as Romancero Gitano, El Emigrante, and many others.

Since 2011, Manuel has contributed his time as Artistic Director of the Global Gift Foundation for The Global Gift Gala, working alongside actress, producer and philanthropist Eva Longoria. Manuel continues to work alongside Longoria and has produced charity events in Los Angeles, London, Paris, Cannes, Mexico, and Dubai. At the same time, Manuel has continued to dance and choreograph around the world with artists such as Louis Winsberg, Souad Massi, and the San Francisco based dance company Caminos Flamencos.

In 2012, he helped create the production Juncal Street with Fanny Ara and his choreography was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Dance Award. Currently based in Los Angeles, establishing himself as a very prolific performer and choreographer throughout the United States.

Manuel has collaborated numerous times with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company interpreting the character of Carmelo in the play Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla, touring with the company from 2016 to the present, including the summer presentation at the Hollywood Bowl in 2019.

Dancer - Choreographer - Director

Antonio Canales

Sevilla – Spain, 1961

Antonio Canales is a living Flamenco dance legend and is considered by Siudy to be her great mentor, after participating in his company when she was only 17 years old. The first collaboration that maestro Canals engaged in with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company was in 2014. Since then, he has collaborated as a special guest in various presentations of the shows “Entre Mundos” and “Flamenco Intimo”.

Hailing from a family of artists, Antonio Canales began his career as a dancer in the National Ballet of Spain, becoming a soloist after several years. After leaving the National Ballet, he moved to Paris to be part of the Maguy Marín ballet. As a member of this ballet, he was invited to perform the choreography of the Versalia Festival in Italy.

Now a dancer of international fame, he participates in more than fifty creations as a principal dancer and performs at innumerable international galas. After receiving numerous awards between the late eighties and early nineties, he created his own company in 1992, making his debut in Bilbao with the choreographies A ti Carmen Amaya and Siempre Flamenco.

In 1993, he premiered Torero, enjoying a successful tour of Canada, and in 1994 he premiered the work in Spain with remarkable success, exceeding 1,000 performances worldwide. His representation for TVE was nominated for the 1995 Emmy Awards and he was recognized that same year with the National Dance Award.

After Torero, Antonio Canales created the shows Gitano (1997), Cinderella (2000) and Ojos Verdes (2003). Additionally, he has published a novel entitled Sangre de Albero and has starred in the feature film Vengo.

In 2003, he was signed to the successful TVE program Operación Triunfo. In 2004, he participated in the premiere of CARMEN, CARMELA under the direction of Miguel Narros, carrying out an extensive national and international tour that had an especially successful impact in Mexico.

In 2007, Antonio Canales joined the jury of the RTVE television program Look who is dancing!

Antonio currently conducts workshops worldwide, and collaborates with the most prestigious dance companies around the world.

Director - Choreographer - Dancer - Actor

Antonio Drija

Art direction means listening to everyone’s needs and making the best decisions for the company. A strong leader strives to understand employees while helping them understand why adjustments and decisions are necessary.

Creativity plays a very important role in leadership, in addition to observing and validating the work and positive attitude of those around you.

EXPERIENCE:

– ZACK`S CABARET, as writer and MC (2018)

– Music videos such as A LITTLE MORE, as artistic director (2018)

– Your Caballero, as artistic director (2017)

– and Dominos Saints, as artistic director and choreographer (2017)

– He also worked with Nickelodeon as artistic Director and choreographer (2016)

– The Miami Symphony Orchestra, as artistic director and choreographer (2015 and 2016)

– Cirque Eloise as Master of Ceremonies and performer (2016)

Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity as performer, MC and cast captain (2002-2015)

– A Special Drop Event as P]a performer with the Nevada Ballet and Cirque du Soleil as choreographer (2006-2008)

– Nevada Ballet and Cirque du Soleil as choreographer (2006-2008)

– Opertacion Triunfo España Performance by Carlos Baute as artistic director and choreographer

– Artistic director and choreographer for the Latin Billboard Awards (2001).

Antonio Drija collaborates with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the production Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla, contributing all his talent to the development of the character of the Spectrum.

Executive Director - Associate Producer

Beatriz Urgelles

Beatriz is a manager in the entertainment industry, Audiovisual Producer, Talent Manager and Cultural Promoter. She has a degree in Business Management and graduated from the José Maria Vargas University, in Caracas in 1993. During her studies, she served as administrative management of the production company T&M Films, in which she participated in numerous documentaries and commercials in 35mm, and in the feature film Los Platos del Diablo in 1993. In 1995 she settled in New York, where he completed the Film and Video Production program at the New School for Social Research. There she participated in short films and other independent productions. Beatriz was the Production Director for the feature film Los Pájaros se van con la Muerte, released in 1999, and General Producer for the Theater Division of Venevision Internacional, a position in which she produced more than 12 theatrical productions, including the successful musical La Reina, La Lupe.

The Latin Business Club of America awarded Beatriz Urgelles as the 2005 Youth Leader of the Year for her contribution to the development of the performing arts in Miami. She worked as the Director of Public Relations for the International Hispanic Theater Festival in South Florida with Avante Theater. She was also the Artistic and General Producer of the musical Visa para un Sueño, with Raúl Gonzalez, which garnered unprecedented success in its world premiere in April 2006, as well as throughout its performances during the summer of 2007 and its season in Caracas, Venezuela in 2008. In co-production with the Abanico Theater, she produced 6 theatrical productions during the 2007 season, which earned her the Miami Life Award as Theater Producer that year. Beatriz also produced the feature film Paraíso by León Ichaso and was the Production Manager for the TV series Gabriel, starring Chayanne, from Mega Films. Beatriz was also the Associate Producer of the musical Siudy Entre Mundos by Siudy Garrido and Pablo Croce. In 2009, she was recognized by the US Latino Chamber of Commerce as one of the most successful Hispanic Women of the year. In 2010 she was nominated for a Grammy from the Suncoast for the production of the El Momento Decisivo campaign. She was also the Executive Producer for the Entertainment Department of the first Mexican cruise line OSC.

Since 2014, she has been part of the High Hill Entertainment company in Miami as the director of the talent agency, representing important TV, film, theater, and advertising artists. Beatriz is currently developing the pre-production of a feature film in Miami and Caracas with filmmaker Thaelman Urgelles, among other projects. She is proud to be the Executive Director of the Board of Directors of the prestigious Siudy Flamenco Dance Company, since her move to the city of Miami in 2005.

Board of Trustees

Samantha Capobianco

Samantha is a Business Development and Fundraising professional with over 10 years of experience. She is a customer-centric B2C and B2B manager, driven by a genuine passion for meaningful and strong relationships, structured problem-solving, and inno-vation. Samantha received her Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College in 2020 and holds a BA in Marketing and Com-munications from Monteavila University. After seven years working at the Adrienne Arsht Center, where she held differ-ent positions as a Fundraising professional, she has recently joined Zapier, an online automation and technology company. Samantha has served as a member of the board of directors for Siudy Flamenco Dance Theater since 2018 and was a member of the dance company for 12 years.

Board of Trustees

Veronica Di Polo

I come from a talented family of musicians and dancers. My father, concertmaster and founder of El Sistema in Venezuela; my grandmother, a phenomenal opera singer, and my mother, a ballet dancer in her youth.

It was no surprise that my love of dancing started when I was 4 years old. At age 5 she was already dancing ballet and performing on national television, then tap and jazz, and then flamenco. When I turned 15 I realized that flamenco was my biggest hobby and I had the incredible opportunity to perform at the Teresa Carreño Theater in Venezuela. A short time later I became part of the Professional Company of Siudy Quintero (Siudy Garrido’s mother) that led me to perform at the Pittsburgh Opera in the opera “Carmen”.

Although my love for flamenco was immense, my curiosity to pursue my dreams and live abroad was greater. I moved to Europe to study while working for the family business. As Marketing Director, I organized large-scale events throughout Europe and Latin America.

But the entrepreneurial bug hit me and I got involved in many projects in Latin America and here in Europe where I founded my personal brand company, Veronica Di Polo, an online business where I help women, business owners and entrepreneurs to build powerful strategies and visibility.

My love for flamenco has always been there and, although I no longer dance professionally, I am part of the Siudy Flamenco Board of trustees to support their mission and especially to spread the music and movements of flamenco art throughout America.

Board of Trustees

Siudy Quintero

General Coordinator

Deborah Cubides

Deborah Cubides was born in Newark, NJ to Cuban immigrants and moved to Miami, FL in 1976. Her love of the arts and dance in particular began as a child. Never having had the opportunity to study the art form herself, she encouraged her children to dance. After years of volunteering for various dance events and recitals, and with her background in sales and business management, she became the studio manager at the studio where her children studied in 2011, which further cultivated her passion for dance. Debbie joined Siudy Flamenco in January 2018 and is proud to be a part of this talented and passionate Flamenco community.

Production manager

Belen Castres White

Belen is a versatile production manager with more than three decades of experience providing technical, logistical and touring support, as well as executive production services in the performing arts and special events industry, working extensively in North and South America, Europe, Asia, India and Australia.

Originally born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina Belen has worked with major music, theatre and dance companies such as La Fura dels Baus, Rock and Pop, el Nuevo Ballet Español, Fuerza Bruta, (Asia Tour) and Let´s Go Company ( The Addams Family & The Hole Zero), as well as with international superstars of the likes of Tina Turner, Iggy Pop and UB40. She managed various performances for Amnesty International (1988) including notable artists such as Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N´Dour and Sting.

She relocated to Spain at the end of the 80s and has since been working with some of the most influential Flamenco artists of the 21st century, ranging from Antonio Canales, Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia, Ballet Nacional de España, Estrella Morente, Eva Yerbabuena, Farruquito, Jesús Carmona, Marina Heredia to the iconic Paco de Lucia.

Throughout her impressive 15 years tenure as the production manager and technical coordinator for Flamenco Festival, she has managed on a yearly basis around 100 artists in over 60 different performances touring around 35 different cities to approximately 80,000 audience members each year. She currently resides in Miami where she continues her work for Flamenco Festival and Koubek Center and volunteers for various cultural initiatives for children from under served communities. She joined Siudy Flamenco as Technical Director in 2019.

Public Relations

The Dream Team

Laura Mejia Cruz & Susan Stipcianos

With a sure handle on the pulse of the business, Laura Mejía Cruz and Susan Stipcianos launched The Dream Team Agency over 10 years ago; a boutique public relations company with focus on fashion, beauty and entertainment. DTA created a niche, specializing in the US Hispanic market including television, print, radio and online tools to promote brands & celebrities. They are the experts in music, fashion, beauty and entertainment in the Latin market. Their mission is to achieve clients’ goals and exceed their expectations by embracing intelligence, respect and a sense of urgency in matters both large and small.

The Dream Team Agency works with top brands in the US Hispanic market such Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, TRESEmmé, Clarins and Beauty Counter to name a few. Among its very long time partners are Latin GRAMMY award winning songwriters & musicians Natalia Jiménez, Silvestre Dangond and Gian Marco as well as Mexican crooner Carlos Rivera and flamenco star Siudy Garrido. Top corporate clients include The Miami Marathon, St Jude Research Hospital, Chamela & Penguin Random House. The agency’s management beauty division handles several celebrity makeup and hair stylists for brands such as Tresemmé, CoverGirl, Garnier USA, Esika, Loreal Paris USA & Neutrogena in the Hispanic market.

Digital Marketing

Polina Andreieiva

Polina Andrieieva is a marketing specialist focusing on digital marketing, advertising, and social media management. She was born in Ukraine and moved to Florida by the age of 16 to pursue her career in Music Business at Full Sail University(Orlando, FL). Polina is fluent in five languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, and French. She has worked as a project manager for a marketing agency and completed projects for clients such as Ferragamo, Valextra, TOUS, Haagen-Dazs, and Nature Valley among others. She joins Siudy Flamenco in 2020.

Sound Engineer

David Diaz

David is an FOH/Monitor Audio engineer who utilizes creativity, leadership and teamwork. With a passion for sound since the age of 8 and a solid foundation based on theory, combined with years of experience in the field, his commitment and skills work towards a successful sound. Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, he is a graduate from SAE, School of Audio Engineering who is currently working freelance for various clients including Siudy Flamenco and the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Sound Engineer

Vladimir Quintero

Vladimir is a Publicist, Announcer and Sound Engineer. He has 30 years of experience in audio engineering and voice over, always showing his unmistakable passion in each project.

He is the winner of a Latin Grammy (2014) for best recording engineering for the album C4 Trio y Pollo Brito “De Repente”. As well as a Latin Grammy (2016) as the best contemporary tropical album for Guaco “Guaco Histórico 2”.

He has been awarded a Lain America Promax Gold, a Latin America Promax Silver, a New York Festival, and two ANDA. He has been nominated 12 times for a Latin Grammy (Producciones de Franco de Vita, C4 Trio, Claudio Corsi, Prince Royce, Tuyero Ilustrado, Raúl Agraz, among others). An American Grammy Nomination with album C4 Trio + Desorden Público “Pa Out”.

As a publicist he has identified brands such as Diapers Huggies, Banco Provincial, Banco Confederado, Tiendas Macuto, Supercable, Warner Channel, Venevisión, TV Familia, Minalba, CNE, Tio Rico (Unilever), Discovery Channel, Ultimas Noticias, Clinique, Exitosa FM, Digitel , Oriental de Seguros, Polar; among others.

Clothing Manufacture

Liliana Paez

Liliana Paez (Wardrobe) Lily Vestuario was born in Venezuela in 1995, its creator Liliana Paez, with more than 10 years of experience in the design and manufacture of different styles, decides to dedicate herself to the costumes for flamenco dance, since since she was little she was captivated by it and wanted to transmit passion of this art through his vision. Lily Wardrobe creates avantgarde designs that represent the current woman. His priority is comfort in each of his pieces, giving them a touch of modernity and elegance without losing the essence of flamenco.

During her career she has satisfied the demands of different schools in different parts of the world, among them: Delia Montenegro, Ballet Sacromonte, Danzas a Caballo, Siudy Flamenco School among others. Today its main headquarters are in Spain, from where it takes its work to different parts of the world such as the United States, Spain, China, Japan, Ecuador, Australia, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Venezuela among others.

Their costumes have won several awards for the best costumes at different festivals and have been present on large stages, such as World of Dance, Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with Amor Brujo by Siudy Garrido, IdolKids, El Palacio de Congresses of Granada Spain, Isabel La Católica Municipal Theater and La Opera de Montecarlo. Lily Vestuario is proud to work with the Siudy Garrido team in creating various designs such as Siudy, Sorora and Manuela skirts for her school and website.

Wardrobe

Rosalba Malandrino (Chavy)

Rosalba, also known as Chavy, is the first swimsuit designer in the Zulia state of Venezuela, who in 1989 began to venture into the world of beachwear. Captivated by the rays of the Sun, the sea, and water sports, she has dedicated her life to the design and manufacture of swimsuits, highlighting the physical potential of each figure without losing the elegance and glamour in each elaborate piece.

Throughout her extensive career, Rosalba has been part of important projects, including her active participation as a founding member of the Association of Fashion Creators of Venezuela (ACMOV) as well as her outstanding work as an official designer at Miss Zulia for more of a consecutive decade. Today, her swimsuits are a trend maker at the national and international level.

Chavy began working with the Siudy Flamenco team in 2019 creating uniforms for Siudy Flamenco School and collaborating on the wardrobe for Bailaora.

Singer

Francisco Orozco

Singer

Francisco Orozco “Yiyi” is from an Andalusian family, born in Barcelona, and was introduced to Flamenco rhythms at the tender age of four.

Yiyi was trained by Flamenco singer and father– “Joselón de Jerez” in his Spanish peña named “Peña Fosforito”. Considered a child prodigy of percussion Yiyi began his professional career at the age of twelve.

By 17 years of age and one CD later, he became more involved with singing, particularly for dancers, and left Spain for Germany on a long-term contract with the company “Flamenco Rubio”. Since that time he has performed with “Compañia Flamenca Alhama” throughout Europe and Japan; with internationally known María Benitez “Teatro Flamenco” on Broadway and throughout the U.S.; Domingo Ortega in Venezuela as well “Casa Patas” in Madrid; Jose Greco II in the United States of America and Taiwan; and world-renowned guitarist Serranito.

In 2000, he collaborated for the first time with Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company  in Caminos Flamencos and in 2021 returned to collaborate with Siudy in the companies new version of “Flamenco Intimo” as well as it’s newest production called “BAILAORA”. He has also performed with Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, El Toleo, El Pelao, María Serrano, La Tania, and Antonio Granjero. Critics, worldwide, have toted Yiyi’s performance as “fiery”, “riveting” his percussion techniques executed with “machine-gun speed” that possesses and “casts a spell”.

Flute

Magela Herrera

Flute

Magela Herrera grew up between two worlds: one her family’s deep ties to a large set of unique traditions influenced mostly by Afrocuban music; the other the years she spent learning and studying classical music at the Conservatory of Music in her native Havana.

Praised often for her unique background that also includes Latin jazz and nordic jazz, Herrera developed her incredible instincts and keen musical chops from 2004 through 2011 as a member of Mezcla – a Cuba fusion band. Towards the end of her tenure in 2010, she was nominated for Best Solo Flute from the New York based magazine Jazz Corner for the tune “Quien tiene el ritmo” (who’s got the rhythm) on Mezcla’s album I’ll See You in Cuba. The recording was also nominated for Best Album.

Over the years, Herrera has shared the stage with an extensive list of acclaimed international artists, including Chucho Valdez and Ernan Lopez Nussa (Cuba), Barbara Dane, Ralph Alessis (USA) Sanskriti Shrestha (Nepal) Jan Eggum (Norway) Oslo Chamber Orchestra (Norway), Munir Hossn (Brazil), Siudy Garrido flamenco company ( USA) to mention a few. In 2021 she joined Siudy Flamenco Company in it’s new version of “Flamenco Intimo”. She has also performed at the Oslo Jazz Festival and Oslo World Music Festival (Norway), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (Denmark), Lunatos Festival (Toronto), Mujeres en el Jazz (Spain), WDNA downtown jazz festival. (USA) and at various jazz clubs and venues worldwide.

Herrera’s adventurous, confidence building road from holding court with Mezcla to her emergence as a solo performer and bandleader included living in Norway for a number of years, learning all about jazz improvisation and freer forms of musical expression while gigging there and earning Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Jazz/Improvised Music from the Norwegian Academy of Music. This was a major shift in mindset from her early days studying classical music at the Conservatory of Music in her native Havana and earning her first Bachelor’s degree in classical music from the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA).

Marketing

Carmen Cecilia Rodriguez

Marketing

Carmen Cecilia Rodriguez is an experienced marketing & events professional driven by innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Her passion for building marketing campaigns and operating event logistics can be traced back to when she started working in retail where she played key roles in executing the marketing campaigns, and visual merchandising, as well as, monthly incentive events for loyal customers. It was through these roles that she was inspired to pursue a career in marketing & events.

Carmen takes pride in having developed her career from when she started as a Marketing Promotions Intern at the Adrienne Arsht Center to now being the new Director of Programs & Branding for the Arts & Business Council of Miami. While also consulting for Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company, developing marketing campaigns throughout the year on seasonal programming.

Throughout her career, Carmen has always valued connecting with people therefore she values cultivating partnerships that create long-lasting working relationships wherever she goes. With 10+ years of hands-on experience, Carmen specializes in brand marketing, experiential marketing, event logistics operations and partnership development. Carmen is best known for inspiring teams to think outside the box, innovate and creating win-win scenarios for all parties working towards a common goal. Looking ahead, Carmen aspires to become a leading professional in her field, achieving recognition for her impact in the community, as well as, mentoring young professionals to always go after their dreams.

In addition to focusing on her professional development, Carmen is also involved in giving back to the community by volunteering as a Big Sister mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami.

Outside of the office, Carmen enjoys dancing, listening to music, health & fitness, re-watching Grey’s Anatomy, reading books, and spending time with her quarantine puppy Bailey Boy. Pre-COVID, you could find her at a karaoke bar singing all the SELENA hits or the all-time favorite “Sweet Caroline”.