Alfonso Cid (Flamenco Vocals & Flute)

Alfonso was born and raised in Seville, the heartland of Flamenco music. His mother, an amateur singer from Triana, a Flamenco enclave in Seville, and his grandfather, an aficionado of Flamenco were his earliest influences. Alfonso's love for Flamenco intensified in his teens after the death of his grandfather. This experience allowed him to realize the depth and beauty of this Andalusian tradition, and the importance of preserving this Art form for future generations. He also had the opportunity of attending the activities of one the most significant Flamenco clubs in Andalusia, the Peña Flamenca Torres-Macarena since 1987.

Alfonso enrolled at the Seville Conservatory in 1990 to study flute and music theory. For the following 5 years he received a classical training.  He also attended the classes of the Cristina Heeren Fundation for Flamenco Art in Seville, Spain in July of 2007 with maestros Paco Taranto and the young talent of flamenco singer Rocio Márquez.

Since his arrival in New York in 1997, Alfonso has played with Flamenco artists, such as: Pilar Rioja, Andrea Del Conte, Nelida Tirado, Sara Erde, La Conja, José Junco, Oscar Valero, Carmen Romero, Edwin Aparicio, to name a few. Flamenco guitarists: Chuscales, Arturo Martínez, Pedro Cortés, Carlos Rubio, Roberto Castellón, Carlos Revollar, Miguel de la Bastide. He has performed in the following venues: Town Hall with the World Music Institute, London's Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sala Covarrubias in Mexico City, Carnegie Hall ( Joan and Sanford I. Weill Recital Hall) , Joyce Theater, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Symphony Space, Merkin Concert Hall, Caramoor music festival, La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, The Spanish Theatre Repertory, Thalia Spanish Theatre, The Theater for the New City, El Taller Latino Americano and many of the flamenco tablaos throughout the tri-state area.

Alfonso's participation in Educational Programs for Schools and Colleges as well as numerous dance and music festivals has given him the opportunity to travel throughout North America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. [ back to top ]

 

Arturo Martinez (Guitarist)

Arturo began playing the electric guitar at the age of 13 in the tradition of Afro American music. In playing the guitar it was logical that he would be drawn to flamenco "the black music" of Spain, because of its Gypsy, Arab and Jewish influences. He has accompanied such famous artists as Jose Molina, Jose Greco, Chuni Amaya, Joaquin Fajardo, Concha Vargas, as well as Maria Alba, Pilar Rioja and Andrea Del Conte. He produces the annual New York Flamenco Festival at the Thiasos Restaurant in New York City , and was a consultant and co-producer for World Music Institute's two concerts of Traditional Flamenco music with reknowned artists El Torombo and Concha Vargas. [ back to top ]

 

Gary Raheb(Cuban cuatro & Arabic Lute)

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Gary was initially self taught as a rock and blues electric guitarist. He then received a B.S. in Music and a Masters in Music Education in CUNY.

Gary has played classical guitar and Brazilian style guitar with Tiberio Nascimiento, Cuban cuatro and bass with various New York based Son/Salsa, Folkloric musicians and Latin Jazz Bands, including Felix Ansua "Pupi", Ray Santiago, Jose Conde, Mo Guajiro, Alma Negra, Las Tabaneras and Goussy Celestine. As well as teaching, Gary has written music for Theatre, amongst others Karim Noack's "Six months to live" at La Mama Theatre, Chris Herrera's "Atrevete" at the Riverside Church Theatre and independent Film. [ back to top]

 

Jainardo Batista(Percussion & vocals)

Jainardo Batista Sterling is a Puerto Rican singer and percussionist. He comes from a family of musicians, painters and dancers. From an early age he was playing music ranging from 60's rock to latin music and hip hop.

He started playing with Mo'Guajiro (a cuban inspired son band) in 1996, with whom he still performs in New York city . He also collaborates with other bands such as Son de Madre, Mango Blue and Pan con Timba. [ back to top ]

 

Sean Kupisz (Electric Bass)

Sean was born in California and raised in New York. At an early age he began to study piano, clarinet and percussion. Subsequently, he began his bass studies with his uncle.

Upon graduation from the Marines Corps Musician Program, he played with several jazz musicians on the Hilton Head nightclub circuit. He then returned to New York where he continued to compose and arrange for his own fusion band.

Recently, he scored the music for the documentary film "International High". He has also performed with Amanecer Flamenco Progresivo, Minbre y Vareta, Andrea Del Conte Danza España, Flamenco Latino, and the Blues-Pop fusion band The Sway Machinery. [ back to top ]

Toni De Vivo (Percussion & vocals)

Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela , Tony became interested in music as a 5 year old watching his sister take piano lessons at home. Later at the age of 11 he started playing the drum-kit and taught himself to play by practicing along with recordings.

At 16, Tony started working as a musician in Caracas.

Tony moved to New York City in 1991. He soon enrolled at The New School where he earned a BFA degree in Jazz and contemporary music.

Tony has toured Puerto Rico, South America, Europe & the States as co-leader of the Son Montuno band Mo'guajiro, of which he is a founding member, and as a leader with the Latin-Jazz group JazzSabroson who were selected two years in succession by the Kennedy Center to travel abroad in 2005 and 2006 as part of the “Jazz Ambassadors” program.

Tony also performs in NYC with Pedro Giraudo's group Mr. Vivo Big Band, Argentinean Jazz and the Carpentier String Quartet as guest percussionist. [ back to top ]

 

 

Guest Artists

Bárbara Martínez(Flamenco dancer and vocals)

Bárbara Martínez is a dancer, singer, actor and choreographer. She has been performing since she was a child, appearing in theater, feature film, clubs, television, festivals and off-Broadway. Bárbara was born in Venezuela to a family of artists, grand niece to Argentine tango singer Libertad Lamarque and granddaughter to singer/actress Morenita Rey.

She dances in The Metropolitan Opera in Zeffirelli's productions of Carmen and La Traviata and performs with Andrea del Conte Danza España, Flamenco Latino and other flamenco companies in the U.S. Bárbara has created choreography for Flamenco Sepharad(TM), Atrévete Flamenco Dance Theater, Inés Arrubla Company and HELL, a theatrical adaptation of Dante's Inferno written by Amelia Arenas. Bárbara has toured with premier flamenco guitarists Pedro Cortés and Juanito Pascual, and also performs with fusion programs such as Flamenco Sepharad(TM), "Nacho Nacho: Gypsy Storyteller." She recently sang for Pilar Rioja at the Spanish Repertory Theater.

Bárbara has had the pleasure of working with artists such as Pilar Rioja, La Conja, Pedro Cortés, Alfonso Cid, Luis Vargas, La Meira, La Repompa, Carmen Salado, Nelida Tirado, Domingo Alvarado, Sara Erde and Emmy-winner flutist Dave Valentine. In addition to flamenco, Bárbara studies jazz vocal technique with Barry Harris and has studied acting (Lee Strasberg method) at New York Actor's Conservatory.

Bárbara teaches at Bridge for Dance, Fazil's Studios and Bank Street School for Children. She is involved in arts-in-education programs, a passionate advocate of learning through art. Bárbara is a member of The American Guild of Musical Artists and an Honors graduate of Brown University. [ back to top ]

 

Maya de Silva (Flamenco dancer and vocals)

Maya de Silva Chafe was born in Santa Barbara and raised in Taos, NM. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre & Dance from UNM, Albq. Choosing flamenco as her primary focus upon arrival in New York in 1987, Maya has performed as a soloist in small ensembles and as a company corps dancer and soloist with groups such as Maria Benitez, Carlota Santana, Andrea Del Conte and Flamenco Latino in tablaos and theatres in New York, New Mexico and California. Notable venues include The Joyce Theatre, DTW, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, Kaatsbaan, and at Boston Pops for PBS
Channel 13.

Recent accomplishments include a performing in and serving as administrative assistant to Karim Noack in her production of "Six Months to Live", a theatre/dance piece that combines Afro-Cuban rhythms, Flamenco and Tango at the Two Rivers Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, (Oct '05), two Equity workshops of Deep Song (The Lorca Project), directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett at INTAR and Ripley-Grier Studios, NY (Jan, '05), and completion of the 4 month Professional Certificate course at the Cristina Heeren Foundation of Flamenco in Sevilla, Spain, where she studied with the likes of El Farruquito, Javier Latorre, Carmen Ledesma, Israel Galvan, Isabel Bayon and Milagros Mengibar in 2000.

Maya has choreographed and produced her own shows over the years: At the Kraine Theatre and PS 122, produced by the Field, at Third St Music School as part of their Faculty Artist Series, at Santa Barbara, California's CenterStage and in New York she has her own pre-professional company, Las Chavalas del Barrio. Maya currently dances at the Metropolitan Opera in "La Traviata" and teaches at the Mason Gross School of the Arts in the Dance Dept. at Rutger's University, at Fazil's Dance Studios and at Rod Rodgers Dance Studios. [ back to top ]

Sol Koeraus (Flamenco dancer and vocals)

Glenda Sol Koeraus was born in Buenos Aires , Argentina . Sol has studied dance, holistic healing and languages. She is a certified yoga instructor and Reiki Master. Sol has danced flamenco since the age of 15, her grandmother being a strong influence.

Sol brought her love for flamenco to the United States and has performed with many renowned artists, such as La Meira, Carmen La Salao, Jorge Navarro, The Cintron Brothers, Alfonso Cid, Pilar Andújar, Hernán Romero, Nélida Tirado and Antonio Hidalgo.

She has continued her studies in the US with Nélida Tirado, La Meira, La China , Omayra Amaya and Soledad Barrio. While in Spain she studied with Belen Maya and La Mora.

She is a member of Pasión y Arte Flamenco Company and Andrea del Conte Danza España.
Sol is involved in art in education programs. She has participated in arts in education concerts, lectures and tours with Andrea del Conte Danza España, Reinaldo Rincón and Carlota Santana.

She currently teaches at the Eastern Athletic.

Through her classes she hopes to assist others in discovering their own love for Flamenco, mastery of the fascinating rhythms and the pure joy of dancing.

Sol dances in many of the tablaos in New York on a regular basis. [ back to top ]