Ecos de España's Theater for Young Audiences introduces children 5 years + and their entire families to music and dance from Spain and Gypsy Spain through a mix of performance, educational content and audience interaction. The format is similar to that of Ecos' library and school shows, however an expanded roster of exceptional artists enhances it further. The length of the program is one hour, but can be longer or shorter.

The show opens with Susana Elena's Garrotin, a lighthearted flamenco dance with roots in ancient Iberian folk rhythms, and performed with an iconic Spanish Cordobes hat. “Ask my hat,” the singer says, “and it will tell you about the bad night I had.” From their seats attendees learn how to move their arms and hands like flamenco dancers. To better understand the dance of the bullfight, Paso Doble, Susana stages a mock bullfight. A volunteer is invited onstage to be the bull to her matador, and the audience always finds this hilarious. At this time children learn how to yell jaleos, or words of encouragement such as “Olé,” and “Bravissimo Eso.” Dancer Albertossy Espinoza then performs his Paso Doble, a virtuoso exhibition of exciting cape work and passionate choreography. Elite guitarist/dancer duo Paco and Yolanda Arroyo exhibit the art of flamenco palmas (handclapping employed as a sophisticated percussive instrument), and virtuoso percussive footwork to rhythm. Accompanied by Paco's guitar, Yolanda masterfully incorporates iconic Spanish props such as a manton (shawl), fan and castanets into her dances. Families learn simple palmas from their seats through a fun game whereby they follow Paco as he plays rhythm. The trick is to be a good listener and keep correct time as the music speeds up. Classical guitarist Almer Imamovic teaches the audience how to use their hands and fingers to execute the flamenco strumming technique called “rasgueado.” He then demonstrates the art of rasgueado through his performance of composer Isaac Albeniz's Asturias, a captivatingly beautiful composition even the youngest children can appreciate. At show's end some children are invited onstage to join the performers in a simple flamenco dance performed with scarves.

Ecos de España artists are available for complementary workshops, classes and lecture-demonstrations.

Performers

Susana Elena

Susana Elena has studied flamenco in Madrid, Sevilla and Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. In 2007 her program of Spanish classical and flamenco music and dance, Ecos de España, was certified by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission to align with VAPA Standards for music and dance in grades K-12. She has performed adult, children's and family shows at over 100 libraries throughout Southern California, as well as a growing number of schools. Her “superpower” is an ability to connect with children in a meaningful way that engages, inspires and encourages a love for the arts. She currently volunteers at CoachArt, an organization that offers free classes to chronically ill children and their families. She continues studying ballet and flamenco in Los Angeles because learning never ends.

Paco and Yolanda Arroyo

Paco and Yolanda Arroyo are natives of Barcelona, Spain. They met while performing at the famous Barcelona tablao “Flamenco El Cordobés” in 1977, and have been together ever since. Actor Omar Sharif brought them to Los Angeles in 1982 to be the featured performers at his restaurant, Espartacus. Their international tours include performances in Spain, Japan, France, Mexico and Venezuela with flamenco legends such as Manuela Carrasco, Camarón de la Isla, Tomatito, and the Farruco family. In Los Angeles they have performed at the Alex Theatre, the Fountain Theatre, El Paseo Restaurant in Santa Barbara and El Cid Restaurant among others. Their university performances and residencies include UCLA's Royce Hall, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Barbara, USC and CSU Long Beach. Their knowledge and mastery of Spanish and flamenco music and dance is unparalleled, and they continue to generously share it through their highly regarded teaching studio in Glendale, CA.

flamencoarroyo.com

Almer Imamovic

Originally from Bosnia, Almer Imamovic studied classical guitar at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, the Royal Welsh College, and USC's Thornton School of Music. Some of his national and international tours include Paris, London, Sarajevo, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Almer's song, “Stani Draga,” was chosen for the film “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” written and directed by Angelina Joli. His CD, “Classic Giuliani,” was awarded a Critic's Choice award by American Record Guide. He is proud to have performed for ex-President Joe Biden and the Bosnia-Herzegovina Advisory Counsel in Washington D.C. His teaching credits include a professorship at Occidental College. In 2012 he opened Sierra Madre Music, a retail store that offers music classes and outreach performance opportunities to all students.

almanovaduo.com

Albertossy Espinoza

Ecuadorian-American Albertossy Espinoza is an actor, dancer, choreographer and instructor. His dance styles include ballet, jazz, modern, flamenco, musical theater and folklorico. He has worked nationally and internationally as a dancer and choreographer with Walt Disney Productions, Jazz Antigua, Sol y Duende, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, the Los Angeles Opera and the Santa Clarita Ballet, among others. In 2012 Dick Van Dyke commissioned Albertossy to choreograph “Cabaret” for the Malibu Stage Company. Believing that no child should be denied dance because of a lack of money for classes, Albertossy founded Fusion Performing Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 that offers low cost/no cost classes to underserved youth. In 2023 he was particularly proud to dance in Chicago, Illinois' Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater under renown guest choreographer Antonio Najarro.

fpdacademy.org

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