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Melani Martinez Melani “Mele” Martinez enjoys the introspective aspect of flamenco, explaining, “My dance arises from emotion rather than external elements.” Her goal “Is to create and perform choreography that is personal and honest,” she says, adding, “I owe any talents and abilities to the reflected passion of those I love, and to God.” The community of flamenco artists in Albuquerque and their love and devotion to the art form deeply inspires Mele. “Joaquin Encinias has been an especially important influence in my desire to develop technique and performance qualities,” she says. Dance has been part of Mele’s life from a very young age and in 1994 she began studying flamenco with Olivia Rojo in Tucson, AZ, soon joining Rojo’s company, Flamenco Y Mas. In 1996, Mele began performing regionally as a solo artist with Christopher Burton-Jacome and the flamenco jazz band Mosaico. She is inspired by the caliber of flamenco artists who have visited the southwest to teach and perform. Mele has studied flamenco with guest artists La Conja, Martin Gaxiola and Pedro Cortez in Tucson and attended Festival Flamenco Internacional workshops since 1993. After completing a Creative Writing degree at the University of Arizona, Mele relocated to Albuquerque in 2001 to commit herself to the study of flamenco. She is a dance instructor with the National Institute of Flamenco and an apprentice dancer with the American Flamenco Repertory Company, “Yjastros,” directed by Joaquin Encinias.
Return to the Yjastro Artists listing. Categories:
Return to the Yjastros home page or the institute home page.
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