promoting the history and culture of flamenco
We work tirelessly behind the scenes to create a rigorous training method for students that will enable them to pursue a career in the Spanish arts. The Academy's instructional vision is to design all classes and instruction to give students the life skills that will enrich and empower them in the future--whether they decide to pursue dance or not. The Academy provides education and outreach to students across the state of New Mexico through both private classes and programs affiliated with public schools. We work hard to identify unique opportunities for all students. For example, members of the Academy have performed at the Lodge of Santa Fe, the Governor's Mansion, the New Mexico State Senate, and many other venues around the state.
About us
Empowering New Mexico youth through the art of Flamenco
15,000
Audience Members Reached
10,000
children we've taught
2014
year founded
About Us
Zoë Whittle is a writer, dancer, artist, and aspiring librarian. She has been dancing Flamenco for over twelve years and has performed with Flamenco Youth de Santa Fe, Compañía Chuscales y Mina Fajardo, and the Grinnell College Dance Ensemble. She started teaching private lessons when she was in high school and has also worked with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana in New York City. Zoë is excited to be teaching dance again and to be working with Emi and her incredible team.
Zoë Whittle
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Radha Svetnicka was born in India and grew up in Santa Fe, NM. She started dancing Flamenco at the age of 5 and studied with guest artists at the Maria Benitez summer programs in Santa Fe. She travels to Spain regularly where she has studied with artists including Farruquito, Juana Amaya, Luis Peña, Fuensanta La Moneta, Juan Siddi and many others. She danced with Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco and Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe, performing in international and national tours which included the Joyce Theater in New York and Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts. Radha is excited to be joining EmiArteFlamenco Academy as a teacher for the 2024 spring season.
Radha Svetnicka
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Aislin Garica Robertson has been studying Flamenco under La Emi for the last 9 years. Seeking to advance her studies, Aislin started studying at the National Institute of Flamenco. There she is currently studying intensely with the Encinas family as well as other Artists from Spain such as Lindon patiño, Raquel Heredia (La Repompa) and others. She is a member of the performing group, Flamenco Youth de Santa Fe; and apprentice to La Emi’s at professional company. Aislin hope’s to travel to Spain to study this art form as well as locally. She continues to do her best to share this gift with her community and next generation of artists.
Aislin Robertson
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From 1997-99, Tamara had the opportunity to share the stage with such acclaimed artists as Elena Andujar and Maria Bermudez under the direction of accomplished choreographer Fred Darsow at Arizona State University. She was also honored to perform alongside Edwin Aparicio in multiple productions from 2005-2008 in Maryland and Washington, DC. She taught multiple classes in Baltimore for over 8 years, including at the Peabody Preparatory, Experimental Movement Concepts, and Baltimore School of Dance.
An experienced and popular teacher, Tamara’s classes are grounded in a thorough knowledge of and enduring passion for the Flamenco art form. Class exercises are created with a specific purpose in mind, leading to self-assurance and confidence with the material. Equal attention is given to all students regardless of experience, and the steps are learned slowly and thoroughly. Blessed with humor, Tamara has in addition the rare ability to clearly explain and teach many of the layered secret subtleties of Flamenco dance.
Tamara Sol Flys received a B.S. in Microbiology (magna cum laude) from Arizona State University, a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and a MPH from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Tamara Sol Flys took her first Flamenco classes in Spain at age 10. After her family returned to the United States she continued her studies with Lydia Torea and later with Dini Román. Other influential teachers have been Carmela Greco (daughter of the late Jose Greco), Domingo Ortega, Manuel Reyes, Mercedes Ruiz, La Tati, and La Truco at the famous Amor de Dios School in Madrid, Spain. Tamara has travelled many times to Spain to deepen her knowledge of Flamenco, both for her own and her students’ enrichment.
A professional performer since 1993, Tamara’s first experience was as a member of Artes Bellas, the esteemed company of her teacher Lydia Torea. Since that time she has appeared in live and televised performances such as “Flamenco Fireworks” at the Phoenix Symphony Hall and the Tucson Convention Center, and “Sabor y Ritmo” at the Century Club in Los Angeles.
Tamara Sol Flys took her first Flamenco classes in Spain at age 10. After her family returned to the United States she continued her studies with Lydia Torea and later with Dini Román. Other influential teachers have been Carmela Greco (daughter of the late Jose Greco), Domingo Ortega, Manuel Reyes, Mercedes Ruiz, La Tati, and La Truco at the famous Amor de Dios School in Madrid, Spain. Tamara has travelled many times to Spain to deepen her knowledge of Flamenco, both for her own and her students’ enrichment.
A professional performer since 1993, Tamara’s first experience was as a member of Artes Bellas, the esteemed company of her teacher Lydia Torea. Since that time she has appeared in live and televised performances such as “Flamenco Fireworks” at the Phoenix Symphony Hall and the Tucson Convention Center, and “Sabor y Ritmo” at the Century Club in Los Angeles.
An experienced and popular teacher, Tamara’s classes are grounded in a thorough knowledge of and enduring passion for the Flamenco art form. Class exercises are created with a specific purpose in mind, leading to self-assurance and confidence with the material. Equal attention is given to all students regardless of experience, and the steps are learned slowly and thoroughly. Blessed with humor, Tamara has in addition the rare ability to clearly explain and teach many of the layered secret subtleties of Flamenco dance.
Tamara sol flys
~~~
La Emi began her Flamenco journey at the age of four and has emerged as a teacher and performer acclaimed for her artistry and craft.
La Emi started studying Flamenco with the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts (ISA) when she was four years old and began working with the Institute’s youth company, Flamenco’s Next Generation at the age of 10. Just two years later when she was only 12 – she started teaching within the Northern New Mexico public school
system. She began teaching for Moving Arts Española in 2005 and ISA in 2006.
As a performer, La Emi has danced on stages from New Mexico to Spain, appearing in the production of “El Pintor” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque (2010), Entreflamenco, the company of Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez, at the Lodge at Santa Fe (2011, 2012 and 2015), Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe (2013, 2014 and 2016) and Compañia Chuscales y Mina Fajardo (2010-2014).
In 2011, La Emi was nominated and selected as one of the 12 young and emerging artists in Pasatiempo, and she received the 2012 Santa Fe Mayor’s Melissa Engestrom Youth Artist Award for Excellence in the Arts. La Emi studied intensively in Spain with Carmela Greco and La Popi as well as José Galván, Juana Amaya, Yolanda Heredia, Iván Vargas Heredia, Torombo, Rocio Alcaide Ruiz and many others. She has performed under the direction of Carmela Greco, José Galván, and Torombo and at major venues and events including the Carmela Greco Seminario de Flamenco y Danza Española and Café de Chinitas in Madrid; Cuevas Los Tarantos in the Sacramonte of Granada and the Teatro Alameda Festival Flamenco in Sevilla.
In the summer of 2018, she launched her professional career with Heritage Hotels and Resorts producing performances at the Benitez Cabaret at The Lodge at Santa Fe.
La Emi began her Flamenco journey at the age of four and has emerged as a teacher and performer acclaimed for her artistry and craft.
La Emi started studying Flamenco with the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts (ISA) when she was four years old and began working with the Institute’s youth company, Flamenco’s Next Generation at the age of 10. Just two years later when she was only 12 – she started teaching within the Northern New Mexico public school
system. She began teaching for Moving Arts Española in 2005 and ISA in 2006.
As a performer, La Emi has danced on stages from New Mexico to Spain, appearing in the production of “El Pintor” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque (2010), Entreflamenco, the company of Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez, at the Lodge at Santa Fe (2011, 2012 and 2015), Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe (2013, 2014 and 2016) and Compañia Chuscales y Mina Fajardo (2010-2014).
La Emi
Meet our instructors who teach our private and group classes at our studio
Our Instructors
Jason B.
Trainer
Jeff K.
trainer
Ashley I.
Trainer
Josh S.
dietician
Sonya Vitalia Silva-Baca
Secretary
Theresa Martinez
Vice-President
Jaclyn Gomez
President
Treasurer
La Emi
Executive Director + Founder
Meet our
board members
Our board members work collectively to oversee every one of our 3 branches to further the mission of our organization.
We offer children's classes beginning at age 3. Classes meet twice a week and culminate in a recital at the end of every semester.
Our adult classes are for adults of all ages and skill levels 18 years and up! Classes meet once or twice a week. We offer punch-cards so you can take as many or as few classes as your schedule allows.
Currently enrolling students