Alice Blumenfeld
Photo by Rebecca Aslanis
Alice is known for a unique and “fierce presence (her movements seem to arise from several feet beneath the ground)” (Thinking Dance) and her “sharp and exhilarating” energy onstage (Philadelphia Inquirer). Blumenfeld bridges scholarship, choreography, teaching, and performing.
She grew up immersed in flamenco culture in Albuquerque, NM and is the Founder and Artistic/Executive Director of Abrepaso Flamenco, NE Ohio’s premiere flamenco arts and culture nonprofit organization. The company’s name means to break open space and their mission is to deepen appreciation for flamenco and create original choreographies, finding new entry points into and new pathways within the art form.
Her recognitions include: a Fulbright Grant recipient in dance (Spain, 2012), a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts (2008), and a two-time Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award recipient in choreography (FY 20 & 22). She toured nationally with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana for five seasons, and has been a guest artist with Nélida Tirado, the American Bolero Dance Company, Antonio Granjero, Jácome Flamenco, and she has performed in Germany and Spain. She premiered an original show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in 2014 and three evening-length original works at the National Hispanic Cultural Center from 2016-2018, and she has been a featured TedX Speaker. Her choreography has been commissioned by Dancing Wheels, Wayne State University, Kent State University, Mercyhurst University, and other institutions.
Blumenfeld holds an MFA in Dance from Hollins University and a BA in Comparative Literature from New York University.
La Romera
Photo by William Elliott
Her passion for learning the art of Flamenco from great Flamenco masters led her to Spain, where she lived for nine years and studied with “El Farruco,” the greatest Gypsy Flamenco dancer of the 20th century, and the renowned Ciro, Manolo Marín, José Galván, and Maria Magdalena.
She began her professional dancing career in Spain in 1971, where she performed as a featured artist in the “tablaos” (Flamenco dinner clubs) in Spain’s major cities and later taught at the renowned Amor de Dios Studio in Madrid.
Returning to the United States, she continued to perform, teach, and produce shows in Seattle, Washington, for 14 years and then returned to her native California, where she presented monthly shows for nine years at Don Quixote Music Hall in Felton, California, featuring local and visiting artists from Spain.
In 2003, La Romera received the Calabash Award for Excellence in Ethnic Arts. She presently resides in Cleveland, Ohio, appears as a guest artist with Alice Blumenfeld’s Abrepaso Flamenco, and is the heart of Cleveland’s Flamenco juergas (Flamenco jams), bringing the aire of Flamenco to Cleveland.
With five decades of dedication to the art of Flamenco as a performer and instructor in Spain and North America, La Romera brings in-depth knowledge to this complex art form, mastering the nuances essential to interpreting Flamenco dance with authenticity.
Marija Temo
Photo by Beth Barbis
Described as “Challenging the rules of traditional flamenco” “She continues to break new ground in other ways.”- Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. Marija Temo is a widely recognized classical and flamenco artist (guitarist, vocalist, and accompanist), who has come into her own, blending her flamenco and classical abilities. Her career has also encompassed conducting choirs and orchestras, and composing and arranging. She has performed as a soloist nationally and internationally in guitar concert series and festivals, with orchestras, and in unique types of cross over performances. Educationally, she is known for her teaching methods, educational program, “Flamenco Amazement”, and Flamenco Communication Workshops, where she coaches dancers, guitarists, and singers to work together in a live setting to understand the connections between music and dance. For career bio, see http://www.marijatemo.com/marija-temo-biography/
Temo’s Flamenco Communication workshop, is a specialized interactive workshop, created by Temo, (for Dancers, Guitarists, and Singers) on what is required from each of them to effectively communicate (interact, accompany, compliment, and improvise) with one another through a breakdown on the structure of flamenco dance and song forms. Sought after for her unique ability to teach all three of the flamenco genres (dance, guitar, and singing), Temo explains (through the use of graphic charts that she has devised), the underlying structure of complete flamenco dance and song forms, demonstrates important moments that need to be conveyed, and has participants try out the process.
Marija’s Communication Course was offered for 10 years consecutively at the University of New Mexico International Flamenco Festival, at the Toronto International Flamenco Festival, and reviewed in magazines such as Flamenco USA, Flamenco International (London, England), and Dance Magazine. Marija’s method continues to be in demand in the US and abroad. For the past 10 years, Marija has offered a flamenco communication intensive that has a different twist and theme.
“Every time I mention your name here in Albuquerque NM, people remember you very fondly! Some folks have pointed to how deeply your classes impacted their progress as flamencos. Your expertise and approachable nature truly brought a lot of our community to more meaningful experiences with the art. You made a difference!- John Truitt (Music Educator, Composer, Flamenco Guitarist and Woodwind Specialist)
This year, 2025, two guest dancers will be co-teaching with Temo for a 3 day intensive (workshop and coaching for individuals to try out their repertoire with other dancers, singers, and guitarists). A juerga (flamenco party) culminates the intensive for all to enjoy and build community together.
