Julia Chacon's Page

Status

Artist

Discipline(s) engaged in or interested in

Dance

Artistic background

Flamenco performer, choreographer and teacher, Julia Chacón has performed in Europe, Latin America, and the United States and has danced in the companies of renowned flamenco artists María Benítez’ (Santa Fe), Omayra Amaya (Boston), and Carlota Santana (New York).

Julia has been featured on the Travel Channel in “Samantha Brown’s Passport to Great Weekends: Santa Fe,” in "Dance Studio Life" magazine, and in "Local Flavor" magazine among others. She currently tours internationally with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and directs her own troupe, Inspiracón Flamenca.

An accomplished choreographer and director, Julia’s work was included in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Shanghai Opera House in China. Her pieces have also been showcased in Santa Fe, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Scottsdale. She created three choreographies for award winning, Moving Company out of Scottsdale, and her self-produced concerts have met with sold out acclaim.

Julia studied ballet extensively as a child. She began training in Spanish dance at the age of 12 under maestra Lydia Torea. By 16 she was performing with Torea’s troupe in Phoenix. Later, Julia attended the University of New Mexico where she trained in flamenco with Eva Encinias- Sandoval and in modern dance with Bill Evans. She received a BFA in dance, magna cum laude and BS in Anthropology. She moved to Madrid, Spain to continue her flamenco studies at Amor de Dios: Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Española. While there she trained under maestros El Ciro, Manuel Reyes, Rafaela Carrasco, and Belen Maya, among others.

Julia’s teaching credentials are varied and include the dance program of Scottsdale, Arizona’s New School for the Arts- a visual and performing arts high school; the Institute for Spanish Arts, and Moving People Dance – both in Santa Fe.

Artistic experiences I have had on my travels / Where I would like to travel to experience new arts and cultures

In autumn of 2009 I was fortunate enough to travel to Colombia with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. We performed in Bucaramanga, experienced the wonderful culture and kind people there. We performed in a theater that was in ruins, and was being renovated by the city. It was open to the stars and had bats flying around everywhere! We weren't sure they would get the stage set up in time, but the night of the show it was all set. We were welcomed down the red carpet by dancers and singers playing music and chanting "Welcome Flamenco Vivo!"

I would like to travel to Asia, and Africa. I enjoy experiencing new cultures and having new adventures in life. Sometimes living out of a suitcase gets tedious, but I love what I do and only want to do more of it!

My dream collaboration

That's a tough one... I'll get back to you.

Creative influences / favorite artists

I have been influenced by so many flamenco artists, and I'm influenced by every artist with whom I work. I try to learn from each opportunity. My current creative influences would have to be a cross between very traditional classical Spanish lines and contemporary flamenco. They are polar opposites, but both have a strong impact on my work right now.

My favorite artists are many. Dancers Rocio Molina, Belen Maya, Ciro, and Lydia Torea to name a very few. Guitarists Paco de Lucia, Vicente Amigo, Diego de Morao, and Antonio Rey make the short list at the moment, and flamenco singers La Tana, Montse Cortes, and Miguel Poveda are tops for me.

Artistic Affiliations

DanceUSA, Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

Web link

http://www.juliachacon.com