” I believe in the notion that artists are called where they are needed the most. So, wherever I go, I go with my whole heart”. Marina Tamayo
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist
Family tree, Carmona-Guerrero , Montes-Tamayo. – de Granada.
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist – Producer
” The scene opens with a jaw-dropping flamenco number that showcases Marina Tamayo ” Variety, Jazz Tangcay, 2022, Toronto International Film Festival.
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist – Producer
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist, is described as an artist possessing ‘duende’ – gitana. Former dance partner artist (1982 – 1986) Antonio Vargas known from Strictly Ballroom fame, playing the role of the Flamenco dancing father, RICO, describes her as “a dancer that holds nothing back”, Aitor Hernandez former dance partner (2015 – 2019), former dancer of the Nacional Ballet of Spain, described Marina as “one of the most powerful artists I have met on stage, crafting magic in her every movement”. For her solo in Benjamin Millepead’s (2022) feature film re-imagining CARMEN, US Edition Film Magazine LA-based Variety journalist Jazz Tangcay described her performance as ‘jaw-dropping’.
” The scene opens with a jaw-dropping flamenco number that showcases Marina Tamayo ” Variety, Jazz Tangcay, 2022, Toronto International Film Festival.
Marina Tamayo in Benjamin Millepieds Carmen. Photo by Ben King for Sony Classics, 2023. Please don’t use it without permission.
Marina Tamayo Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Broadway New York Chita Rivera Award with Benjamin Millepeads, Carmen 2024.
Article 20.05.2024:
https://www.danceaustralia.com.au/news/marina-tamayo-nominated-for-broadway-award
Article from SBS WORLD NEWS (23.07.2023)
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist, features as Zilah, Carmen’s mother, as seen in the teaser, Carmen by Benjamin Millepied – Sony Classics, Goal Post Pictures 2023.
Features as Zilah, Carmen’s mother, as seen in the official trailer, Carmen by Benjamin Millepied – Sony Classics, Goal Post Pictures 2023.
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer has dedicated herself to solo performance and theatrical work. She is an international and national multi-nominated and award-winning choreographer recognised at The Chita Rivera Awards 2024 on Broadway New York, nominated for Outstanding Choreography in a Feature Film with Benjamin Millepead, Awarded a Fellowship from Australian Music and Performing Academy 2023, Nomination as finalist at The Australian Dance Awards 2018 for her service to dance in Australia; and in 2019, nominated for her ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’ with Aitor Hernandez Sanzano, former dancer of the Ballet Nacional of Spain.
EMERALD – National Award-nominated ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’.
2023 Fellowship Award by the Australian Music and Performing Arts Academy for Outstanding Service to the Australian Performing Arts Sector.
Photo by Marina Tamayo Fellowship Award Wenny Tan, AMPA, 2023
In 2021, Tamayo was accepted for a choreographic residency as a DAIR contemporary choreographer sponsored by Ausdance NSW 2021. This work was an experimental dance composition co-created with Victor Zarallo, with their reimagining of BOLERO. Together, Tamayo and Zarallo are developing BOLERO for its world premiere on April 29th 2023 at NIDA, with the students from Australian Music and Performing Arts Academy, AMPA.
Tamayo was afforded the opportunity to be a resident artist at McDonald Performing Arts College, to create her work with Victor Zarallo – Bolero. The success of this residency resulted in an invitation to present her company, Las Peinetas Spanish Dance Theatre at the Ausdance 45th birthday celebration held at the Bangarra Dance Theatre premises for , An Evening on the Water.
The dancers invited to develop the process in the photo are Aranin Pillay, Bella Olivera Lopez, Juliette Hoelberigs, and Malaki Sylvestri.
AMPA Dance, Dr Maya Gavish commissioned Tamayo and Zarallo to rework and premiere BOLERO on April 28th and 29th at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. The performance included the full cohort of 34 students on stage, AMPA Dance Undergraduate students, at their graduation concert, INTERNO.
Article link via Dance Australia.com
https://www.danceaustralia.com.au/yafevent/ampa-dance-faculty-presents-interno
Board Member of Ausdance NSW https://ausdancensw.com.au/our-people/
2023, International Dance Day – Marina Tamayo’s Sydney-based professional Las Peinetas Spanish Dance Theatre have been invited by Ausdance NSW, to present her work ‘Adentro’ at The International Dance Day Dance Festival, to be held in the Sydney CBD, on April 29th, 2023.
Link to the Festival:
Marina Tamayo Flamenco Choreographer and Artist.
Tamayo has been invited to teach and choreograph for the semester at :
- New South Wales premiere of Carmen by Benjamin Millepied at Sydney Film Festival with Goalpost Pictures and Madman Pictures. Participating as a guest in Q & A, Ritz and Orpheum Cinemas.
- Tanya Pearsons Ballet Coaching May Workshops 2024.
- AMPA – https://www.ampa.edu.au/ The Academy of Music and Performing Arts alongside colleague Victor Zarallo, for Dr Maya Gavish Head of Department – Dance Undergraduate and Post Graduate studies for the tenure of Term 1. They will present a contemporary work at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and at The Dawn to Dusk Dance Festival in Sydney.
- Summer School at The https://nationalcollegeofdance.com/ Summer School Jan 16th – 20th. 2023
- Chatswood Public School Teacher, Department of Education, CAPA Syllabus, NESA for K to 6 dance and coaches/choreographer Senior Boys Dance group 2021 – 2024.
Las Peinetas in rehearsal, Mosman Dance Academy
LATEST REVIEWS
Project: Carmen by Benjamin Millepead, Produced by Goalpost Pictures for Sony Classics
TIFF 2022 (Toronto International Film Festival).
Review US news: ” The pre-release film festival kicks off in the fall via Sony Pictures Classics, in Mexico with a stunning flamenco figure featuring Marina Tamayo as Carmen’s mother on the family home grounds. Sept 12, 2022 Carmen, by Benjamin Millepied
Review: Worldtimetoday 11, Sept 2022 “We begin in the Chihuahuan desert, where a proud flamenco dancer named Zilah (Marina Tamayo) conjures up a wild storm from the thin wooden plank beneath her feet while cartel thugs point their guns at her. Moments later, Zilah’s thunderous footsteps – the upcoming film’s wild heartbeat. Carmen, by Benjamin Millepied, 2022
Festivals, Reviews, TIFF22 https://theunderscene.com/2022/09/20/carmen-tiff22-review/#more-6482 Toronto International Film Festival, 2022. ” The seats in the theatre were shaking. My bones rattled as Carmen’s mother was dancing and stepping as the score started sweeping in. “
Adelaide International Film Festival – Premiere performance October 26th, 2022 at Her Majestys Theatre, Adelaide.
” Co-presented by Adelaide Festival, the Australian Premiere screening of Carmen at Her Majesty’s Theatre will feature a live dance performance by Adelaide-raised flamenco legend and Carmen co-star Marina Tamayo before the screening. Marina will perform Seguiriyas, which she dances in the powerful opening scenes of the film”.
https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/event/carmen-2/
Artist: Marina Tamayo, Flamenco Australia
Background information on forging a career in Sydney.
Began ballet training in 1972, Flamenco training in Sacromonte Spain, in 1983, and studied full time from 2001 – 2007 Amor de Dios Madrid. Moved to Sydney permanently in 2008. Started offering Flamenco Sydney classes in 1998 at The Scout Hall in Avalon, Sydney Dance Company Wharf studios, Spanish Dance School, and The Spanish Club Sydney. By 2007, Tamayo opened her own professional Flamenco studio and founded Flamenco Australia.
Flamenco Australia has been operating throughout the Asia Pacific region for over twenty-eight years. It hosts international artists, produces major dance works, and engages the Australian community in classes, tutorials, festivals and shows. The company has successfully formed and produced professional touring groups nationally and internationally, such as Flamenco del Mar, Flamenkitas, multi-award nominated and winning Hernandez Tamayo Spanish Dance Theatre and currently, Las Peinetas, a six-piece Flamenco Ballet company.
In 2006, Flamenco Australia reached out to the international arts market, sponsoring professional artists from Spain to Australia, for masterclass and mentoring Australian flamenco dancers and musicians in formal international workshops and performances.
Marina Tamayo has performed, taught and choreographed globally, for over 38yrs. Her studies include Ballet in both RAD and Cecchetti, classical pianoforte music composition and theory at The Conservatorium of Music, Audio Engineering and postgraduate studies in Production Sound Engineering. In addition, graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Education from Curtin University and am currently registered with the NSW Board of Education (NESA) as a Teacher.
AWARDS
Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography in a Feature Film, Chita Rivera Awards Broadway New York 2024.
Academy of Music and Performing Arts AMPA – Fellowship Award, 2023.
Ausdance NSW DAIR, 2021 Grant for residency at The McDonald Performing Arts College (completed in 2022). In collaboration with Victor Zarallo for a reimagining of BOLERO.
Finalist in The Australian Dance Awards 2019, for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’, presented by the Australian Dance Council.
Finalist in the Australian Dance Awards 2018, for her ‘Service to Dance’, presented by the Australian Dance Council.
Winner for Outstanding Choreographic Achievement, Commonwealth Dance Society, 1984
- Recognised for her commitment, passion and dedication to the arts, and cultural community sectors and her extensive contributions of twenty-five years which scope both regional and national arts education, creative performance and arts business sectors.
Finalist, 2019 Australian Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
- In 2020, Marina’s collaborative dance company Hernandez Tamayo was Australia’s first Spanish Dance Company to be a finalist in the Choreographic awards for their work EMERALD.
- Alex Vidal – Darling Harbour, NSW – Long Service Community Recognition
Winner of Best Costume at Auckland Festival of Arts, New Zealand
- 2019, Tour to NZ, Auckland Festival – Best Costume Award for EMERALD Design by James Penrose and Hernandez Tamayo
Adelaide Fringe, 2013
- 2013 The Advertiser ‘Most Recommended Show’ 4.5 Stars The Sounds of Spain for Adelaide Fringe Festival
RESOURCES
Featured in several Spanish books, music videos and University research documentary thesis papers.
- Roger James, Bringing Back the Damsons Meditative Poems
- North Sydney Studio of Dancing,
- Nellie Bennet, Only in SPAIN – The New Season, Where’s your Culo?
- Miguel Maestre Cooking Bookings, TAPAS Vol I & vol II.
“I love dancing and have taken up flamenco dancing with teacher Marina Tamayo and my dance partner from the show Megan Wragg is doing it with me – I love it.” Miguel Maestre Chef Living Room ch10
Images: taken from Miguel Maestres Tapas cookbooks published in NSW by New Holland in 2010, and again in 2014.In photo: International Flamenco singer Pablo Oliva, David Holberton (guitar), Marina Tamayo (percussion, dancer).
MUSIC PRODUCTION
Marina Tamayo is a classically trained musician and Audio Engineer. With these two skills combined, Tamayo branches out into recording and composition. Often acting as musical director, Tamayo produces Flamenco music shows for all events and has recorded several CDs.
Experimenting with composition, Tamayo wrote her first film soundtrack in 1988 titled ‘RONDO’ featuring Diane Dixon on vocals and mastered it in SAE studios, Adelaide. Her first CD was eventually published and mastered in 2014, featuring artists Rut Santamaria llorente, Anabel Alvarez, and Guitarist Michael Arrighi’s CD titled ‘Flamenco del Mar’, mastered in Mark Davies studios by Mark Davies, NSW.
As a qualified sound engineer, Tamayo has been editing for dance shows including co-composing her own soundtracks for theatre. She does this by using digital software and often collaborates with SOUNDMODA founder and award-winning music editor Aaron Lee, to design full-scale dance productions like award-nominated and winning EMERALD (2019 – 2021; and her new collaboration with Victor Zarallo, a reimagining of BOLERO (2022 – 2023).
Image: CD insert Flamenco del Mar produced by Marina Tamayo, 2014.
CHOREOGRAPHER
As a choreographer, Tamayo is dedicated to quality and authentic creative process. As an advocate for social justice, Marina promotes inquiry inside and outside boundaries to promote discussion, and challenge ideas, and assumptions in varied contexts. The purpose of this deep inquiry is to contribute towards social change, for equity in all living beings, through performing arts.
Tamayo’s theatre works are guided by Andalusian folklore and storytelling. These choreographies often explore human nature, and our needs for connection and include personal narratives.
” Likely the most professional modern flamenco dancers to grace us. Performers’ footwork, costumes and music were superseded only by their energy, grace and passion. Final Word: Spectacular”
– Jenny Smith, Rip It Up
RIP it Up website – http://www.ripitup.com.au/article/5255 Tamayos The Sounds of Spain
Tamayo’s objectives for her dance performance and choreographic contributions focus on connecting and inspiring her audience, to be a voice for the unspoken, to listen to the unheard and to contribute towards making a more mindful society.
Marina specialises in theatre, television and film. Choreographic clients include Wolf Blass, Emirates, Merivale, SBS, Channel 7, Channel 10, FOX, Disney Kids, Australian Grand Prix, Soccer Australia, Miguel Maestre, National Gallery of Victoria, Merivale, and Musicland.
Photo by Naomi Jellicoe AFF2022 Marina Tamayo
Marina Tamayo was invited to perform as a soloist at the Winter Exhibition held in The National Gallery of Victoria for the Picasso Centurion dinner, on this occasion, Tamayo was accompanied by acclaimed international Jerez guitarist, Paco Lara.
Photo not to be used without permission. NSW 2021.
CURRICULUM
In July 2021, Marina was offered a position as a faculty character teacher of the ATOD, Australian Teachers of Dancing Certificate IV/ Diploma course for full-time Ballerinas, at CB121 (Classical Ballet 121). Marina works alongside former Royal Ballet Company dancers Gillie Reevie and Iohna Loots.
In September 2022, Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia invited Tamayo to be a guest teacher to design a Master Choreographers Program 2022 at https://www.sydneychoreographiccentre.com/, Sylvie Guillem as Patron.
Jesus Olmedo y Marina Tamayo
Image: INERTIA. Photo by Adam Sills, 2016. Peacock Theatre, Tasmania. Copyright. Do not use photos without permission.
Professional Objectives:
- to promote Spanish and Gypsy culture for Australian society which is designed and delivered within a contemporary context.
- to create opportunities by making accessible performing arts through public engagement
- to promote equity for students in accessing bi-lingual performing arts
- to represent cultural storytelling authentically, by preserving its traditional richness whilst developing it in a contemporary discourse.
Marina Tamayo has dedicated her career towards raising the level of professional Flamenco dance practises within the Australian dance industry for over 38 years. This is achieved by adhering to and aligning with safe dance practises, writing contemporary curricula, embedding professional assessment and protocols and quality education. Academically, Tamayo committed herself to gaining formal teaching and project qualifications to ensure professional standards are achieved. The following are some academic studies;
Degree in Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production Engineering, Certificate in Project Management, Contract Law, Business Analysis, Effective Communications, Implementation of Projects. Philosophy and Metaphysics at Macquarie University, Visible Learning with Corwin Australia. Further studies in both piano and classical piano at the Conservatorium of Music Theory of Music, and Composition.
Weekly, Marina Tamayo holds a NSW Primary school teaching position specializing in performing arts – NSW Dance Curriculum for stages K – 6, at an EAL/D school in Chatswood (Chatswood Public School).
Productions:
EMERALD. Photo by M. Tamayo. Hobart MOVES Contemporary Dance Festival, 2018. Copyright. Do not use without permission. Multi Award Winning: Australia & New Zealand.
Press on the link below to see the short promo.
EMERALD, crossed various dance disciplines and was presented in a contemporary format. It was constructed through an arts residency of Professor Kelly Drummond-Cawthon and premiered in Hobart, Tasmania, NSW at the MOVE Contemporary Dance Festival. It was included in the Festival of Auckland Arts program and was presented at the Auckland Fringe, New Zealand season. The show received five stars and rave theatre reviews. EMERALD picked another award for its courtier costumes designed by James Penrose (Melbourne) and Hernandez Tamayo at the Auckland Fringe Festival, New Zealand, 2020 for ‘Best Costuming’.
Family tree, Carmona-Guerrero , Montes-Tamayo. – de Granada.
FOLKMENCO Photo by Sandi Sissel, 2017 Moonah Arts, Tasmania. Copyright. Permission needed to use phot, Jo.
Marina’s theatre works are guided by folklore and storytelling. Jonathon Abatte, Jesus Olmedo, Rut Santamaria, Aitor Hernandez and Marina Tamayo.
INERTIA
An exploration of how we interact, through inertia. Drawing on folk, Spanish and Flamenco dance storyteling, With Tony Tonks, Jesus Olmedo, Rut Santamaria, Peter Kennard, Aitor Hernandez and Marina Tamayo.
Employment Summary
With over 40 years of experience in professional performing and creative arts education across the globe, I am well-equipped to provide a comprehensive curriculum. My teaching background encompasses delivering inclusive classes tailored to diverse students, ranging from those with special needs to early learners in preschool settings, as well as adult, tertiary-level performers and professionals. Additionally, my artistic achievements include numerous national and international awards and nominations in choreography, costume design, and dance.
Furthermore, my formal training in classical music, including piano, music theory, composition and production engineering enhances my versatility as an educator and creative engineer designer.
I have had the privilege of teaching at esteemed institutions, including professional dance theaters, TV productions, and full-time dance academies such as the National College of Dance, Tanya Pearsons Academy, and Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
My ability to inspire and engage students is unparalleled, as reflected in the hands-on, differentiated incursions I design and deliver. I have implemented movement-intensive programs in various primary, secondary, and tertiary schools, including renowned institutions like Sydney Grammar, Monte, and Newington. I now have recently made a shift to The Department of Education, NSW Public Schools.
Currently, I am an integral part of the Chatswood Public School community, where I teach CAPA (Creative Arts and Performing Arts). Additionally, I serve as a relief teacher for core subjects such as math, History, Science, Geography, and English across NSW.
My commitment to providing a well-rounded, high-quality education is further demonstrated by my academic credentials, which include a Bachelor of Education, a Diploma in Audio Engineering, a Postgraduate Certificate in Production Engineering, and an Associate Diploma in IT Business Analysis, as well as AMEB 8th-grade music and a major in composition pianoforte.
Beyond the classroom, I am a Fellow of the Australian Music and Performing Arts College (AMPA), and engage in volunteer work to create opportunities for emerging Australian artists in performance and education. Notably, I have been appointed to the production team for the NSW State Dance Festival 2023/2024 and as a choreographer for the 2024 School Spectacular, organized by The Arts Unit of the Department of Education.
My teaching philosophy is centered on the pursuit of excellence, fostering creativity, and promoting values of kindness, equity, and respect, all while inspiring students on their creative learning journeys.
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