ABOUT RINA ORELLANA
Based in Los Angeles County, Rina Orellana is a Madrid-trained flamenco dancer, instructor and choreographer.
She is producer and artistic director of the Flamenco Project, a diverse showcase of contemporary flamenco in Los Angeles.
She is a master teacher, training dancers from beginners through professionals at her Academy in Los Angeles (Torrance).
She is artistic director of her ensemble, Rina Orellana Flamenco Company, that performs in theaters, private events as well as tablaos (flamenco venues) throughout Southern California.
She has a strong, feminine style that is contemporary yet firmly planted in the traditions of flamenco puro with traces of her belly dancer past.
Rina is truly dedicated to bringing authenticity, innovation and respect to this vibrant cultural art form and she wants to share that commitment with others. She does this through her Flamenco Academy, her performing ensemble Rina Orellana Flamenco Company, and her showcase productions of the Flamenco Project.
Rina relocated to Los Angeles County from Madrid in 2003. While living in Spain, she trained intensively at the prestigious Centro de Flamenco y Danza España Amor de Dios with renowned artists Rafaela Carrasco, Inmaculada Ortega, Domingo Ortega and La Tacha. Prior to living in Madrid, she was a dancer with Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos in her native San Francisco. Rina has performed alongside notable Spanish artists such as Juan Ogalla, Domingo Ortega and Manuel de la Malena.
Rina is a recipient of the L.A. Treasures Award, a grant for prominent individuals in the traditional arts for the production of the Flamenco Project.
Rina has taught flamenco workshops throughout the West Coast, including the New World Flamenco Festival and the Los Angeles Flamenco Festival.
She also has B.A.’s in Dance and Spanish Language & Literatures from San Francisco State University. Before flamenco, Rina was an original member of FatChance BellyDance, the influential American Tribal Style belly dance group.
ABOUT the COMPANY
Rina Orellana Flamenco Company was founded in 2006 to present formal full-length concerts as well as to reach out to the community with more intimate shows at tablaos (flamenco venues) and private events. The company showcases artists from Spain and the most exciting flamenco artists from the United States.
The company’s debut show, Orígenes (Origins), featured Rina’s choreographies for a corps of dancers. Other productions include the Flamenco Project, Rina’s ensemble cabaret shows that feature rotating artists and themes, from the purest of traditional to experimental and contemporary flamenco.
Notable private events for the company include performances for the former president of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish Office of Tourism in Los Angeles for their events promoting Andalucia and the Museum of Latin American Art.
The company’s goal is to inspire and stir audiences with the artistry and passion of innovative group choreographies and moving solos of today’s flamenco.
ABOUT the ACADEMY
A master teacher, Rina Orellana offers a well rounded flamenco education in technique and choreography. She has the ability to introduce flamenco to novices and to train dancers to become professional.
She is a generous and meticulous teacher, imparting her expansive knowledge of the various palos (rhythms) and flexible structure of letras (verses) as well as cuadro (performance) skills specific for each level. She offers her students performance opportunities throughout the year.
The Rina Orellana Flamenco Academy is currently located at Boogiezone Utopia Studios in Torrance, California.
She also has launched an Online Flamenco Studio where there are dozens of instructional videos in technique and choreography.