2025 Season
Inn and Spa at Loretto
AUG. 13TH - AUG. 31ST
Wed-Sat 8pm | Doors 7:15pm
Sun Matinee 2pm | Doors 1:15pm
SEPT.18TH - OCT.5TH
Thur-Sat 8PM | Doors 7:15pm
Sun Matinee 2PM | Doors 1:15pm
Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
SEPT.12TH - SEPT.13TH
Fri-Sat 7:30pm | Doors 6:45pm
Eldorado HOTEL AND SPA
DEC.26TH - DEC.31ST
Fri-Wed 7:30PM | Doors 6:45pm
Sun Matinee 2PM | Doors 1:15pm
Special NYE Toast
LA Emi
La Emi started studying Flamenco with the María Benítez 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. At age 12, she started teaching within the Northern New Mexico public school system. She continued her love of teaching as an instructor at Moving Arts Española in 2005 and ISA in 2006.
La Emi has danced with Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe, Compañía Chuscales y Mina Fajardo, and EntreFlamenco, the company of Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez. She also danced with the National Institute of Flamenco in their Summer Season at the Lodge at Santa Fe. She annually tours with The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Nutcracker since 2015.
La Emi studied intensively in Spain with Gala Vivancos, Carmela Greco, Belén López, Mónica Fernández, La Choni, Anabel Moreno, and La Popi. She has performed under the direction of Carmela Greco, José Galván, and Torombo and at major venues, including the Carmela Greco Seminario de Flamenco y Danza Española and Café de Chinitas in Madrid; Cuevas Los Tarantos in the Sacromonte of Granada and the Teatro Alameda Festival Flamenco in Sevilla. She is also is the founder and executive director at EmiArteFlamenco Academy whose mission is to empower children and adults through the art form of Flamenco.
Meet this year's Featured Artists
LA Emi
Meet this year's Featured Artists
La Emi started studying Flamenco with the María Benítez 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. At age 12, she started teaching within the Northern New Mexico public school system. She continued her love of teaching as an instructor at Moving Arts Española in 2005 and ISA in 2006.
La Emi has danced with Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe, Compañía Chuscales y Mina Fajardo, and EntreFlamenco, the company of Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez. She also danced with the National Institute of Flamenco in their Summer Season at the Lodge at Santa Fe. She annually tours with The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Nutcracker since 2015.
La Emi studied intensively in Spain with Gala Vivancos, Carmela Greco, Belén López, Mónica Fernández, La Choni, Anabel Moreno, and La Popi. She has performed under the direction of Carmela Greco, José Galván, and Torombo and at major venues, including the Carmela Greco Seminario de Flamenco y Danza Española and Café de Chinitas in Madrid; Cuevas Los Tarantos in the Sacromonte of Granada and the Teatro Alameda Festival Flamenco in Sevilla. She is also is the founder and executive director at EmiArteFlamenco Academy whose mission is to empower children and adults through the art form of Flamenco.
VICENTE GRIEGO
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” From Dixon/Embudo, NM, Vicente has devoted his life to the study of Cante Flamenco. In 1999, he toured internationally with Jośe Greco II and was mentored by Alfonso Gabarri, “El Veneno.” Griego is a pupil of guitarist Jośe Valle and singer Jośe Fernández. Griego performs with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, and EmiArteFlamenco. He is lead singer in the rumba Flamenca band ReVóZo. Griego is also a faculty member at the University of New Mexico’s Theater and Dance Department.
“EL CARTUCHO”
Singer / Co-director
Click here to Read Bio
Singer / Co-director
“EL CARTUCHO”
VICENTE GRIEGO
Meet this year's Featured Artists
VICENTE GRIEGO
Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” From Dixon/Embudo, NM, Vicente has devoted his life to the study of Cante Flamenco. In 1999, he toured internationally with Jośe Greco II and was mentored by Alfonso Gabarri, “El Veneno.” Griego is a pupil of guitarist Jośe Valle and singer Jośe Fernández. Griego performs with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, and EmiArteFlamenco. He is lead singer in the rumba Flamenca band ReVóZo. Griego is also a faculty member at the University of New Mexico’s Theater and Dance Department.
Jorge Robledo
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Jorge Robledo is a Flamenco choreographer and dancer (born in Argentina). He trained in Flamenco, classical Spanish dance, ballet, contemporary dance, and theater. He has taught Flamenco classes around the world. As a dancer and choreographer, he has participated in numerous productions from 1989 to the present.
Dancer
Jorge Robledo is a Flamenco choreographer and dancer (born in Argentina). He trained in Flamenco, classical Spanish dance, ballet, contemporary dance, and theater. He has taught Flamenco classes around the world. As a dancer and choreographer, he has participated in numerous productions from 1989 to the present.
Eddie Garcia
Santa Fe native Eddie Garcia received his first drum kit at around the age of 3 and has had a passion for music ever since. At first a self-taught drummer, it was his love of music that built the foundation of his playing. His versatility and strong work ethic are what have gained him several opportunities in the music industry. Over the years, his experiences range from touring the Globe and working as a session drummer. Artists include Bill Champlin, Pointer Sisters, David Cassidy, Lou Rawls and the list is infinite.
Percussion
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Santa Fe native Eddie Garcia received his first drum kit at around the age of 3 and has had a passion for music ever since. At first a self-taught drummer, it was his love of music that built the foundation of his playing. His versatility and strong work ethic are what have gained him several opportunities in the music industry. Over the years, his experiences range from touring the Globe and working as a session drummer. Artists include Bill Champlin, Pointer Sisters, David Cassidy, Lou Rawls and the list is infinite.
Chuscales
Meet this year's Featured Artists
This was the name given to Jose Valle Fajardo by his Grandfather. Since then, the name Chusco has come to describe a guitarist of consummate skill and a profound understanding of the Flamenco traditions.A native of Antequera, Spain, Chuscales grew up in a traditional gypsy family known for its professional musicians and dancers. His grandmother was among those who lived in the caves of Sacromonte, one of the legendary cradles of Flamenco. Chusco began guitar lessons at age six under the instruction of his uncle Joaquín Fajardo and Maestro Agustinillo, two prominent masters in the region where such greats as Segovia have studied. As a teenager, Chuscales found himself in the company of Paco de Lucía, who often performed in the area and would take time to play with the talented youngster and answer his questions. Many people don’t have my luck to grow up in the caves, learning Flamenco in a Gypsy family where the music comes from tradition to tradition, from legend to legend.
Guitarist
Click here to Read Bio
This was the name given to Jose Valle Fajardo by his Grandfather. Since then, the name Chusco has come to describe a guitarist of consummate skill and a profound understanding of the Flamenco traditions. A native of Antequera, Spain, Chuscales grew up in a traditional gypsy family known for its professional musicians and dancers. His grandmother was among those who lived in the caves of Sacromonte, one of the legendary cradles of Flamenco. Chusco began guitar lessons at age six under the instruction of his uncle Joaquín Fajardo and Maestro Agustinillo, two prominent masters in the region where such greats as Segovia have studied. As a teenager, Chuscales found himself in the company of Paco de Lucía, who often performed in the area and would take time to play with the talented youngster and answer his questions. Many people don’t have my luck to grow up in the caves, learning Flamenco in a Gypsy family where the music comes from tradition to tradition, from legend to legend.
Misael Barraza-Díaz
Misael Barraza-Diaz began playing Flamenco guitar as a self-taught musician at an early age. His hunger and devotion towards the andalucian art form led him to study in Spain several times. In 2010, Misael was awarded first prize at the Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the prestigious Festival Flamenco Alburquerque. Since then, the artist has developed a career both as a soloist and as an accompanist. Misael is currently involved in the recording and production of multiple albums, but is extremely pleased to be able to present his latest CD “El Camino Forjado” (2023).
Guitarist
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Misael Barraza-Diaz began playing Flamenco guitar as a self-taught musician at an early age. His hunger and devotion towards the andalucian art form led him to study in Spain several times. In 2010, Misael was awarded first prize at the Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the prestigious Festival Flamenco Alburquerque. Since then, the artist has developed a career both as a soloist and as an accompanist. Misael is currently involved in the recording and production of multiple albums, but is extremely pleased to be able to present his latest CD “El Camino Forjado” (2023).
Olivia
Rojas
Singer
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Olivia Rojas is the Director of Flamenco Por La Vida and is a traveling Flamenco singer artist. She began her professional career singing choral and Mexican rancheras. In 2004, Olivia began singing Flamenco cante and has toured throughout the United States with Calo Flamenco: Ballet de Martin Gaxiola and Chris Burton Jacomé Flamenco Ensemble. She has had the honor of performing at the prestigious Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, during the Festival Flamenco Alburquerque, and with EmiArteFlamenco in Santa Fe, NM. She has performed throughout the State of Arizona with Alma Performing Arts, Carlos Montufar – World Dance, Mosaico, Yumi La Rosa Ensemble, Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo and Inspiracion Flamenca. Flamenco Por La Vida performs regularly at Crescent Ballroom and offers Lecture Demonstrations throughout the Phoenix area.
Olivia Rojas is the Director of Flamenco Por La Vida and is a traveling Flamenco singer artist. She began her professional career singing choral and Mexican rancheras. In 2004, Olivia began singing Flamenco cante and has toured throughout the United States with Calo Flamenco: Ballet de Martin Gaxiola and Chris Burton Jacomé Flamenco Ensemble. She has had the honor of performing at the prestigious Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, during the Festival Flamenco Alburquerque, and with EmiArteFlamenco in Santa Fe, NM. She has performed throughout the State of Arizona with Alma Performing Arts, Carlos Montufar – World Dance, Mosaico, Yumi La Rosa Ensemble, Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo and Inspiracion Flamenca. Flamenco Por La Vida performs regularly at Crescent Ballroom and offers Lecture Demonstrations throughout the Phoenix area.
JANIRA CORDOVA
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Janira started dancing at the age of five with Baile Español, a Folklórico group in Santa Fe. Soon thereafter, she discovered Flamenco and began studying under María Benítez at the Institute for Spanish Arts. As she continued to perform and cultivate her passion for Flamenco, Janira had the privilege to further her dance and study under well-known Flamenco artists, such as Gala Vivancos, Adela Clara, Juan Siddi, José Junco, Antonio Granjero, Ileana Gómez and many others. Janira has taught at EmiArteFlamenco Academy and continues to cultivate her passion and study Flamenco.
Core dancer
Janira started dancing at the age of five with Baile Español, a Folklórico group in Santa Fe. Soon thereafter, she discovered Flamenco and began studying under María Benítez at the Institute for Spanish Arts. As she continued to perform and cultivate her passion for Flamenco, Janira had the privilege to further her dance and study under well-known Flamenco artists, such as Gala Vivancos, Adela Clara, Juan Siddi, José Junco, Antonio Granjero, Ileana Gómez and many others. Janira has taught at EmiArteFlamenco Academy and continues to cultivate her passion and study Flamenco.
Alyssa Alderete
Alyssa Alderete began dancing at the age of five at the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, under the direction of Sonya Casillas. From ages 11 to 18, she was a member of Fandango, a pre-professional dance troupe where she deepened her training and stage experience. Alyssa has trained under a wide range of internationally recognized artists, including Rafael Estévez, Valeriano Paños, Alfonso Losa, Florencia Oz, Lidón Patiño, Pastora Galván, Iván Vargas, Carmen Coy, and Jesús Perona, among others. Alyssa continues to work as a solo Flamenco artist throughout New Mexico, committed to honoring the tradition while cultivating her unique voice through performance and expression.
Core Dancer
Meet this year's Featured Artists
Alyssa Alderete began dancing at the age of five at the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, under the direction of Sonya Casillas. From ages 11 to 18, she was a member of Fandango, a pre-professional dance troupe where she deepened her training and stage experience. Alyssa has trained under a wide range of internationally recognized artists, including Rafael Estévez, Valeriano Paños, Alfonso Losa, Florencia Oz, Lidón Patiño, Pastora Galván, Iván Vargas, Carmen Coy, and Jesús Perona, among others. Alyssa continues to work as a solo Flamenco artist throughout New Mexico, committed to honoring the tradition while cultivating her unique voice through performance and expression.
