Pepe Torres, Angelita Vargas, Luis Peña
2018 solo choreographers
Commissioned for Sachiko "La Chayí" Nishiuchi
Photo by Ana Palma
Pepe Torres was born in Morón de la Frontera in a significant family of Flamenco artists including legendary guitarist Diego del Gastor. Mr. Torres’s dance collects the legacy of his ancestors and adapts it to his own artistic and personal expressions. Since the age of 15, he has worked in peñas, tablaos, festivals and theaters in Spain and abroad including Europe, North America, and Japan. He has worked with prominent Flamenco artists including Manuela Carrasco, Farruquito, Antonio Canales, and Juana Amaya. Son de la Frontera, of which he was a founding member, was nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards. His company premiered his first full-length work "Así Baila Morón" in Bienal de Arte Flamenco de Sevilla.
Angelita Vargas, a flamenco dancer of gypsy origin, born in Triana (Seville) Spain, began her career at eight as a singer performing in multiple festivals in Spain and recording her album as Angelita “La Gitanilla". Later she toured throughout The United States, Japan, and Europe as a dancer and teacher, appearing in worldwide festivals and theaters including Bienal de Arte Flamenco de Sevilla, Teatro Lope de Vega, Teatro Maestranza, and Broadway. Ms. Vargas has worked alongside renowned artists; El Farruco, Manuela Carrasco, Aurora Vargas, her own cuadro, Los Biencasaos and many more. After suffering a stroke in 2011, she continues her career as a full-time teacher keeping her passion for Flamenco alive.
Festero from Seville, Luis Peña receives a high reputation for preserving Flamenco puro through his work (A festero is an artist who sings and dances in Flamenco fiestas). His influences include maestros Pepe Rios, Paco Valdepeña, and Miguel Funi. At the age of 12, he performed in a prestigious festival Bienal de Arte Flamenco de Sevilla. He has worked with great Flamenco artists including Manuela Carrasco and Pansequito in festivals and theaters. He appeared in Carlos Saura’s movie “Flamenco, Flamenco” (2010). He teaches the art of Flamenco and festeros in his school in Seville, as well as tours to Japan to teach every year.