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| This Professional Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Raquel Peņa, is an extension of the Flamenco Arts Center. It is a wonderful showcase for the many talented young artists who, upon graduation from the Center, can continue through this Company. At the same time, anyone can audition from outside to enter. The Company has a very extensive repertory and all aspects of flamenco are covered. This can be from individual solos to full-length ballets. The Company aims for very high artistic levels and every detail is of extreme importance. The variety of the programs can be adapted perfectly to any type of space and occasion - from concert halls and theaters, to outdoor festivals, to intimate flamenco gatherings. All the choreography is done by Raquel. She also designs the costumes for each piece. Great care and expense is taken in the selection of costumes,and the Company is forever adding to this extensive wardrobe for which the Company is renown and is the pride of all involved. |
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| Though Raquel Peņa has had many flamenco companies in her long artistic career, this current company is different from all her previous ones. This is due to the fact that she no longer is the central figure and only performs as guest artist (even in this Company). She still performs, but may do only one dance in an evenings performance; thus, the focus in this Company is to give upcoming dancers more chance to perform as soloists. Raquel herself finds it more rewarding to be the artistic director and choreographer of this Company plus the force behind the Jr. Company and the director and teacher of the Dance section of the Flamenco Arts Center. |  Raquel's First Dance Company |
| At this moment, the base professional company consists of ten female dancers, two male dancers, one percussionist, and various "palmeros" (hand clappers). Guitarrist and singers can be added on depending on the needs of each performance, as each performance is taylor made for the occasion. |
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