The mission of Rina Orellana - Flamenco Puro is to present electric flamenco performances, inspiring dance classes and innovative choreographies that are solidly centered in flamenco puro. Based in Redondo Beach in Los Angeles County, California, they are dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich artistry of flamenco music and dance to the community at large. The organization is committed to fostering cultural awareness and appreciation through these artistic and educational programs:

• Compañía Flamenca Rina Orellana (Rina Orellana Flamenco Company): Founded in 2006, Artistic Director Rina Orellana stages full-length concerts of flamenco music and dance with innovative group choreographies and moving solos. The company's goal is to reach out to all communities with high quality programming that is steeped in the traditions of flamenco puro with a nod to contemporary flamenco that is current in Spain. The company's inaugural home season, "Orígenes" (Origins), was widely acclaimed to a sold out audience at the Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica, CA in March 2007.

• Escuela Flamenca (Flamenco School): A master teacher, Rina Orellana offers a well rounded flamenco education in technique and choreography. Her specialty is revealing the true nature of flamenco: improvisation by having strong technique and expansive knowledge of the various palos (specific rhythms) and flexible structure of letras (verses) as well as cuadro (performance) skills specific for each level. She offers her students performance opportunities two to four times per year. Rina Orellana has the ability to introduce flamenco to novices and to train dancers to become professional and is known for her mastery of the bata de cola.

• Flamenco Puro Productions: This is the production company component of Rina Orellana's offerings in flamenco. Besides being the sole producer for COMPANIA FLAMENCA RINA ORELLANA, she produces flamenco shows in intimate venues that capture the excitement and energy of Spain's tablaos. Her current endeavor is THE FLAMENCO PROJECT, a quarterly showcase where innovation and tradition meet. Each project showcases a particular aspect of flamenco and ranges from the purest of traditional flamenco to experimental and contemporary flamenco. Artistic director Rina Orellana brings together passionate and exciting performers in diverse programs that include choreographer showcases, emerging dancers, guitarist and singer concerts, fusion, family night and more.
  

:::::Rina Orellana:::::

Rina Orellana, flamenco dancer, instructor and choreographer, relocated to Los Angeles County from Madrid in 2003. While living in Spain, she trained intensively at the prestigious Centro de Flamenco y Danza España Amor de Dios with renowned artists La Tacha, Rafaela Carrasco, Inmaculada Ortega and Domingo Ortega. Prior to living in Madrid, she was a soloist and dancer with Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos (director of the prominent New World Flamenco Festival) in her native San Francisco. Rina has performed alongside notable Spanish artists such as Juan Ogalla, Domingo Ortega and Manuel de la Malena. From this unique background, Rina Orellana has been able to develop her own strong and personal style that is contemporary yet firmly planted in the traditions of flamenco puro.

Currently, she has established herself in Southern California as a dancer, choreographer and instructor. Most notably, she was selected to direct and perform for the former president of Spain, José María Aznar at Chapman University. She is also artistic director of Compañía Flamenca Rina Orellana. Founded in 2007, the dance company is dedicated to flamenco puro and features her own original choreography. She is also artistic director of the Flamenco Project, an ensemble showcase with diverse programs that range from traditional to the innovative. Rina is also a recipient of the L.A. Treasures Award, a grant for prominent individuals in the traditional arts.

Rina has taught flamenco workshops throughout the West Coast, including the New World Flamenco Festival in Irvine and currently teaches dance classes and workshops for adults in Los Angeles County with special student performances several times per year. She offers her dance expertise with 20 years of performance and 13 years of teaching experience. She also has B.A.'s in Dance and Spanish Language & Literatures from San Francisco State University. She houses her flamenco academy at HYPE Studios in Torrance.

Rina is truly dedicated to bringing authenticity, innovation & respect to this passionate dance form and she wants to share that commitment with others.

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