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Riquezas Flamenco
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Damien Alvarez, Andrea Anderson, Azriel Goldschmidt, Patrizia
Meunier, and Pauline Tapia
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In a community
largely made up by individual artists, Riquezas, which literally means “riches,” takes a different
approach to flamenco by starting with community first, and endeavors to uncover the small treasures hidden in each of us and
to enjoy sharing these precious moments. Forming in July of 2004 in San Francisco, Riquezas brought together
artists from very different backgrounds: the five dancers of Riquezas were not born in Spain, where flamenco was inspired,
nor did they grow up in a "gypsy" family where they could be exposed to flamenco artistry from an early age. A true
passion moved them towards studying hard and forming this dance company. Most recently they have performed at Ashkenaz Music
and Dance, Cafe Flamenco at ODC Theatre in San Francisco, and were featured at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, California.
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| Azriel "El Moreno" |
Azriel "El Moreno" Goldschmidt – Singer/Dancer/Choreographer with Riquezas flamenco
El Moreno began studying flamenco dance in New Mexico with Rafael Martos during the
María Benitez Santa Fe Flamenco Festival. Soon after, he was introduced to the flamenco cante (singing) by guitarist
Ives Lucero. Under the artistic direction of Ramona Garduño, El Moreno began performing as a singer and dancer with
group Aire Flamenco in 1998. He studied with many renowned spanish artists such as dancers Joaquin Ruiz, Antonio Granjero,
Domingo Ortega, Rafael Campallo and Andres Marín and singers Silverio Heredia, and José Anillo. Since moving to the Bay
Area in 1999, El Moreno sings regularly for most professional Bay Area flamenco dancers, including Carola Zertuche, Melisa
Cruz, La Fibi, Holly Shaw, Monica Bermudez, La Tania, Yaelisa, Mercedes Metal, Virginia Iglesias and many others in both theater
and "tablado" style performances. He has also sang along side renowned flamenco singers Felix de Lola, Roberto Zamora
and Jose Anillo. He has made multiple appearances both as a singer and dancer at the San Francisco Ethnic
dance festival and performed with the Teatro Flamenco company.
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| Andrea Anderson |
Andrea Anderson - Choreographer/Dancer with Riquezas
flamenco Andrea Anderson was first inspired
by the art of flamenco as a teenager watching flamenco films and listening to cante jondo after school with her Spanish teacher.
Since then she has studied with various flamenco artists while traveling through Latin America as well as with local Bay Area
and guest artists from Spain.
The artists that have been most influential in Andrea’s artistry and understanding of flamenco are Manolo Vargas, Alegria
Suarez, Andres Marin, Carola Zertuche and Melissa Cruz. Andrea is a member of the group Riquezas - a collaboration of
friends exploring the personal and creative manifestations of flamenco here in the Bay Area. When not dancing, Andrea
practices the art of Chinese medicine, experiments with cooking traditional cuisines and enjoys the company of her husband.
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| Patrizia Meunier |
Patrizia Meunier - Dancer/Choreographer
with Riquezas Flamenco
Patrizia was first exposed to flamenco music and culture in her birth
place of Genoa, an Italian city within driving distance of Spain. She studied flamenco dance extensively for ten
years in Europe and in the United States. She also traveled to Spain several times with the
purpose of studying with renowned Spanish artists. In 1999 she started performing in the San Francisco Bay Area under the lead
of various local flamenco artists like Carola Zertuche, La Monica and Yaelisa. In 2004 she joined Riquezas Flamenco
Dance Company where she could express
herself at her best as a dancer and a creative person. Flamenco is now an integrated part of her life that goes beyond her
passion for dancing and enriches other areas of her life including expression of her feelings, shared time with friends and
playtime with her children.
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"Paolina" Pauline Tapia - Dancer/Choreographer
with Riquezas Flamenco Paolina’s dance
studies began at age seven in classic ballet, although, tap dance was the form she longed for intuitively. It wasn’t
until her engineering profession prompted her to move to the Bay Area that she was exposed a wider range of dance movements.
In her free time, Paolina enrolled in college courses in martial arts, modern jazz and African influenced dance. In
this way, she finally connected to a form of tap dance, Ballet Folkloric, which eventually led her to be invited to join two
company troupes Ollin, and Grupo Atzlan, dancing with them for several years. Changes in her work location permitted her to venture into the art of flamenco dance which really
touched her internal sensibilities. Thereafter, she focused on taking flamenco workshops offered by local performance
teachers, and visiting dance masters from Spain. She has been part of two flamenco companies in the past, and is presently
thrilled to be part of Riquezas. Paolina has performed all over the Bay Area including with the San Francisco Ethnic Dance
Festival- Palace of Fine Arts (1994), International Dance Festival - Del Valle Theater (1996), Rosa Montoya Bailes Flamencos
“Poeta”- Palace of Fine Arts (2000), and Virginia Iglesias Alma Flamenca- Julia Morgan Theater and Azkenaz (2005).
Damian "el Solito" Alvarez - Dancer/Choreographer
with Riquezas Damian began dancing
Flamenco at the tender age of 7 inspired by Carlos Saura’s film, “Carmen”. Damian started his training with
La Monica at the Mission Cultural Center. Afterwards he moved on to study with San Francisco Flamenco legend Rosa Montoya
under whose tutelage he stayed for many years. He performed in Montoya’s annual student productions from 1992 through
her final show in 2003. In the spring semester of the same year he taught flamenco at San Francisco State University. Damian has lived in Spain and studied extensively at the renowned dance
academy, Por El Amor de Dios. He has covered the range of Flamenco with classical dancers such as Paco Romero and modern flamenco
artist, Manuel Reyes. After returning to the Bay Area in 2005 Damian danced with Virginia Iglesias’ flamenco dance company,
Alma Flamenca and was part of her 2006 production, “Reflejos” as well as her production in 2007. He was also invited
to be a part of the 40th anniversary showing of Teatro Flamenco’s production of “Misa Flamenca” dancing
with artistic director, Miguel Santos and Carola Zertuche. Towards the end of 2007, Damian joined the dynamic troupe, Riquezas,
in order to explore his creative spirit. Riquezas is comprised of Flamenco dancers and singers from backgrounds as diverse
as the Bay Area. Damian is honored to be dancing in Eve’s Elixir and gives many thanks to his family and friends
for their continued support.
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