Studio BFPL: Encounters with Nelida Tirado, José Moreno and Calvin Hazen

Nelida Tirado, dance José Moreno, voice Calvin Hazen, guitar

LAND "Solea" abbreviated from the word "Soledad' often referred to as the Mother of the forms, means loneliness. The feeling and content of the music/dance is generally serious in nature, often with a sententious tone conveying a feeling of intimate pain and despair.

SEA "Alegria" meaning joy, is of the family of vibrant flamenco forms of the rich port and naval station of Cadiz, . Situated on a slice of land surrounded by sea, it boasts some of Spain's most beautiful architecture, beaches and sunny climate. The feel of the piece reflects the lively life there often referencing sailors and many seas. Accompanied by a mantón de , the manila is very popular in Andalucia for festive occasions and also used as an accessory in the dance. The women use to enhance and add drama to the performance twirling it around her body and air.

AIR "Cantiñas" originating in the area of Cadiz in Andalucia, is festive reflecting the feeling of Cadiz where cantiñear is synonym of playing and improvising. Elements inherent of the spirit of cantiñas.

About Nelida Tirado Nelida Tirado began her formal training at Ballet Hispanico of New York at the age of six. Barely out of her teens, she was invited to tour the U.S. with Jose Molina Bailes Españoles, a soloist in Carlota Santana’s Flamenco Vivo, soloist and dance captain in Compañía Maria Pages and in Compania Antonio El Pipa. She performed at prestigious flamenco festivals and on television in Spain and throughout France, Italy, UK, Germany and Japan, including at the Bienal del Arte Flamenco, Festival de Jerez, Festival de Otono, and the Festival de la Guitarra. She later represented Compania Maria Pages as a solo artist at the Aichi Expo in Japan. Upon her return to the US, Tirado has performed in Franco Zeferelli’s “Carmen” with the Metropolitan Opera of NY, World Music Institute’s “Gypsy Caravan 1”, and “Noche Flamenca” and was a featured flamenco star in Riverdance” on Broadway and with touring companies.

About José Moreno

Son of famous flamenco artists Estrella Morena and Pepe de Málaga, José began his flamenco career during his childhood. Since then José has been invited to perform in various companies and with distinguished artists such as: Manolete, Pastora Galván, Pedro Cortés, Omayra Amaya, Roberto Castellón, Chuscales, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Carmen Ledesma, Jesús Montoya, Curro Cueto, Amparo Heredia, Adrián Galia, Ángel Muñoz, Belén Maya, Chano Domínguez, Jorge Pardo, among many others. José has choreographed & performed with the New World Symphony Orquestra (2001) and the Boston Flamenco Ballet (2004) at Lincoln Theater. He has performed as well at the 7th annual Panama Jazz Festival (2010), Carnegie Hall (2010), Alliance Theatre (Zorro, The Musical, 2013), BAM (with Flamenco Vivo Dance Company, 2015), The Metropolitan Opera NYC(2014-2017) and The Kennedy Center/Washington National Opera (2015-2016) (Carmen), The Chicago Sinfonietta in the Ravinia Festival (2016), etc. He also participated in a TV series called Los Descendientes de Andalucía, produced by Canal Sur (Spain).

About Calvin Hazen

Calvin has recently relocated to the U.S. after 20 years of living and working as a professional guitarist in Madrid, Spain. During this time, he performed at some of the most famous Flamenco Tablaos in Spain, including El Corral de La Moreria, Cata Patas, Las Carboneras, Las Tablas, and El Teatro Arenal. Here he had the honor of sharing the stage with such illustrious artists as Manuel Liñan, Carmen “La Talegona”, Joaqiin Ruiz, Jesus Carmona, Jeronimo Maya, and Eva Duran to name a few. He has performed at some of the most prestigious theatres in the U.S. as well as internationally including Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center in New York City, Teatro Nacional in City and Teatro Madrid in Spain where his performances have received enthusiastic critical acclaim. The Village Voice has hailed his “…excellent guitar playing…”, and The New York Times called his music “…a pleasure throughout.”

About the Flamenco Festival

“One of the year’s biggest dance events in New York City.” - The New York Times

With the mission of spreading the richness and variety of flamenco art, Flamenco Festival has established itself as one of the most significant events of Spanish culture in the United States and as the main platform for flamenco in the international cultural

scene. Flamenco Festival USA was founded in 2001 and has since become a showcase for Spanish artists in New York; Miami; Boston; and other cities across the United States. In 2003 the first Flamenco Festival was presented in London at Sadler’s Wells where it has since become an annual event. Flamenco Festival also presents concerts and organizes flamenco tours throughout , Asia, and Oceania.

With creativity as the driving force and fundamental axis, with our feet in the present and our eyes on the future, Flamenco Festival New York gives voice to creators of different generations, consolidated artists and new talents, who are advancing this language from very different positions, but with a strong personal stamp.