Marina Tamayo is a Flamenco Dance artist/choreographer and is the Director/Founder of Flamenco Australia. Video of some students of Marina Tamayo.
Flamenco Australia™ was founded by Marina Tamayo in 1998.
Marina’s arrived to live in Sydney 1998. The inspiration to start the company was to fill the lack of services and support for Spanish dance artists, students in Sydney and Australia-wide. Having experienced the lack of performing opportunities and structured training schedules with international teachers, Marina was determined to make a change by creating opportunities to connect artists, teachers to assist in building community and networking.
Marina began to offer mentorship, scholarships, performance management, sponsorships, visas and teaching employment for aspiring and practising professionals in the industry. The company quickly gained recognition for its support and inclusiveness, comprehensive and unique professional services, thus becoming a recognised Producer for tours, and Artistic Director for shows.
The company delivers educational incursion programs for both dance and music faculties, catering for all levels in public and private education sectors.
Flamenco Australia™ not only supports the professional artist but also engages local professional flamenco artists to be mentored by herself and other invited guests from Spain.
“…how fortunate we are to express and celebrate life through music, song and dance.” Marina Tamayo
Tamayo began teaching Flamenco dance in an abandoned scout hall. This hall was located on the northern beaches of NSW. Many were unsure of Flamenco surviving the northern beaches culture however, despite the cultural differences Marina began introducing the predominant surf community with electrifying and passionate Spanish nights, at the local RSLs. These events were sold out weeks before the shows were due.
Classes began with one student. Within five years, Marina was teaching students in multiple studio locations; Narrabeen, Manly, Brookvale, Freshwater, Curl Curl and Avalon. Marina has continued to teach throughout the past twenty five years and expanded her classes in studios located in Tasmania, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, London, Japan, New Zealand.
‘Tamayo used social events to engage and connect community. Many students enjoyed participating either through performance, attendance or observation. Sold out shows and events are regular features to the Flamenco Australia calendar’.
Flamenco Australia would grow to have a lasting and continual impact on the Australian Flamenco and Spanish Dance scene. Tamayo’s business model and teaching methodology would change the way the industry represented itself to community, becoming a guide for innovation on and off stage, for aspiring Spanish dancers, teachers and studio owners by changing the very nature of how studio practitioners approach student and community engagement.
Read Marina’s full biography HERE.
Flamenco Australia presence remains as a strong contributor to the promotion of Spanish Performing Arts in Australia, it is embedded in its inclusive holistic and ethical dance arts practises, writing curriculum and producing professional bespoke shows.