Mission: Our mission is twofold. First, we wish to promote and preserve the culture of Spain as expressed in dance, music and song. To emphasize this point, we use the carnation, national flower of Spain, in our logo. While keenly interested in reaching the Spanish and Hispanic Community, we also recognize the broad appeal of Spanish Dance and music and strive to reach all audiences. Second we strive to give people at all experience levels the chance to develop a new realm of artistic expression.
History : The Company was founded in 1984, and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987 to perform and teach Spanish Dance in the St. Louis area. Our first annual concert was also in 1987. In 1993 we expanded our events to include a large centrally located student concert which has regularly reached between 600 and 1400 students. We also give smaller performances at individual high schools where students are unable to travel to a larger performance. In 1997 we expanded to audiences beyond the St. Louis area with engagements in Branson and Sikeston.
Artistic Direction:
The company founder and artistic director, Marisel Salascruz, is a native of Granada,
Spain. She started her dance training at age 5, and has studied in Spain as well as
central and North America. Her teachers include Olga Franco, Pilarín Muñoz,
Matilde Coral, Mireya Carballo, and Daniel de Córdoba. Her rich background gives
her the means to provide the purest interpretation of the Classical, Regional and Flamenco
Dances of Spain.
Company Dancers: Our company dancers are a diverse group of professionals & apprentices who devote long hours to both perfecting their skills and promoting our events.
Guest Artists: Special thanks goes to Daniel de Córdoba, artistic director for the Bailes Españoles Dance Company in Dallas, Texas. He has helped our artistic director build the company since its beginning. His choreographies have been a strong part of our program. Our outstanding guest roster from Spain and North America also includes, Veronica Rivero, Irma Suarez, Rene Gonzalez and Jorge Perez, Daniel de Cordoba, and Israel Pavon; singers María Elena la Cordobesa, and Macarena Hera de Jurado; and guitarists David Villaú, and Hector Fernandez.