Puentes Flamencos & Certamen Coreográfico Finals
Discover rising artists as they take the stage in an exciting night of live performance, competition, & creative exchange.
DATE & TIME
Wed. June 24TH,
UPDATED TIME 5:00pm
LOCATION
Journal Theatre, NHCC
About
Puentes Flamencos & Certamen Coreográfico
New this year! The National Institute of Flamenco presents Puentes Flamencos and Certamen Coreográfico, two juried competitions offering today’s top student and emerging flamenco talent a chance to showcase their work on Festival Flamenco Alburquerque’s international stage.
These programs invite participants to step forward, be seen, and share their work on a professional stage through high-level performance experiences that emphasize artistry, discipline, and growth. Artists gain meaningful visibility, mentorship, and recognition while connecting with the festival’s vibrant artistic community. Puentes Flamencos highlights the work of student ensembles and Certamen Coreográfico presents the work of emerging professionals.
The event begins with the Puentes Flamencos Competition at 5:00 pm, featuring school & youth/student group selected finalists. At approximately 5:30pm, the Certamen Coreográfico Finals begins, featuring advanced & professional-level finalists performing original choreography created for a theater stage. One ticket is valid for both competitions. Come for Puentes Flamencos at 5:00 pm, Certamen Coreográfico at 5:30pm, or stay for both.
CERTAMEN COREOGRÁFICO FINALISTS
DOMINIQUE
ADESSA
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Dominique Adessa is based in Albuquerque and graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Dance (Concentration in Flamenco) from the University of New Mexico in December 2025, where she performed with the UNM Flamenco Ensemble at venues including Jacob’s Pillow and studied with artists such as Marco Flores, Valeriano Paños, and La Popi.
“Una Discusión Civil”
Cast
Dominique Adessa,
Amalia Fernández, Colten Hernandez, Venice Marquez, and Isabella Nuanez
ALIESHA
BRYAN
BRONX, NY
Multidisciplinary performing artist Aliesha Bryan (she/her) weaves together Flamenco, stylized Spanish and modern dance, and dances of the African Diaspora, and serves as Artistic and Executive Director of Blackbird Spanish Dance Company and the BSDC Development Lab. She has danced at venues from Peña La Platería in Granada to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and has been featured in Dance Magazine and Camille A. Brown’s Social Dance for Social Change series.
“Sonidos Negros”
Cast
Aliesha Bryan
CARLOS
MENCHACA
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Carlos Menchaca is a Chicano dancer and choreographer who blends tradition and avant-garde to defy gender norms in flamenco. He tours internationally with Yjastros, Noche Flamenca, and Flamenco Arts International. He made history in 2023 with Yjastros, the first U.S.-based company featured at the Festival de Jerez. A faculty member of the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts since 2007, he values intergenerational collaboration.
“Fandango”
Cast
Carlos Menchaca
MARÍA JOSÉ
VALDÉS
SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL, MX
María José Valdés de la Cerda, from Aguascalientes, Mexico, serves as Artistic Director of Flamenco Estudio in Nuevo León, Co-director of Brújula Flamenco Dinámico, and Founder of the Coalición Flamenca. She holds a degree in Flamenco Dance from the Universidad Internacional de Andalucía. She has presented work at festivals including Veranos Flamencos de Amor de Dios, the Leo-Brouwer Festival, and Festival SUMMER HAMMER.
“BANG!”
Cast
Andrea Ezeta Villarreal
and Ana Paula Nava Chávez
PUENTES FLAMENCOS FINALISTS
CLASSEN SCHOOL OF
ADVANCED STUDIES
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast is Oklahoma City’s top-ranked public school and a visual and performing arts institution offering a flamenco elective taught by dance director Erika Vasquez. The course explores flamenco through history, technique, and guest artists, taking a contemporary approach while honoring the art form’s cultural traditions.
Dancers
London Byrd
D’Shai Edwards
Olivia Gaston
Valiera Herrera Cruz
Dylan Hester
Ruth Lopez
Zella Martin
Hayden Mensah
Sloane Ramirez
Bekham Rother
CONTRERAS
FLAMENCO ARTS
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Contreras Flamenco Arts is a Santa Barbara, California studio founded by Jesalyn Contreras McCollum, dedicated to preserving traditional flamenco while welcoming dancers of all ages and levels in a community rooted in Santa Barbara’s long-standing Spanish heritage. The studio is honored to present “Cosas Mias” – a Romance choreographed by Carlos Menchaca – at Festival Flamenco Alburquerque 39.
Jesalyn Contreras (Instructor)
Ashlyn McCollum
Natalie Rodriquez
Tessa Shyrock
Natalia Treviño
TIERRA ADENTRO
OF NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
The flamenco program at Tierra Adentro of New Mexico Charter School introduces foundational concepts in 6th grade and builds through high school, training students in footwork, choreography, flamenco guitar, improvisation, and performance, with the ensemble directed by Elena Osuna. The program fosters creativity, cultural appreciation, teamwork and perseverance through in-school and after school programs.
Raisalynn Alvarez, Dionesia Chavez, Evan Duran, Darrien Flores, Lorena Flores, Jade Lovato, Marisella Mata, Yazmine Padilla, Franki Tickerhoof
Musicians
Caleb Garcia, Fernando Franco, Aileen González (Instructor)