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Lucia Rodriguez-Sanchez is not only an accomplished flamenco dancer, but a flamenco singer as well. She
began studying flamenco in her native San Antonio, performing with her brother, virtuoso flamenco guitarist Miguel Rodriguez
and Los Flamencos de San Antonio under the direction of Teresa and Curro Champion. By the age of 19 she performed in many
major festivals in San Antonio, Fiesta Noche del Rio and out of state concerts with Los Flamencos. While performing at the
1968 San Antonio HemisFair (Mexican pavillion & International Theatre), she was able to associate with many of the visiting
artists from Spain, including guitarist Ramon de Algeciras, singer Pepe de Lucia, and dance maestros Angel Torres and Marina
Vasquez, with whom she studied. With such encouragement, she continued her study with other teachers such as Raquel Ruiz in
Mexico City, D.F., Jose Greco Sr. and Nana Lorca. Since then she has shared the stage with many notable flamenco artists,
such as dancers Rafael Ruiz (Sevilla), Paco del Puerto (Cadiz), Timo Lozano, Adam & Laila Del Monte and Spanish gypsy
singers Manolo Lucar and Cacharito. The late ballet master, Ron Sequoio (Metropolitan Opera Ballet) choreographed special
works for Lucia, including Francisco Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra and the complete production of Manuel de Falla's El
Amor Brujo. In 1992, Lucia and Gitanerías represented the USA in the Houston International Festival, along with such notables
as the Paco de Lucia Sextet and Rafael Riqueni. In 1998 she released their first CD, Nuestra Sangre Flamenca with husband,
guitarist Valdemar Phoenix and percussionist, Lisa de la Garza. In 2000 Lucia and Valdemar released their made-for-TV flamenco
video, Gráfico, which was also selected and shown at the Houston International Hispanic Film Festival. Her dance group, Gitanerías
Ensemble, was selected to perform at the World Dance Houston 2001 sponsored by HCC Central College Performing Arts. In 2002
she was commissioned for an original choreography by the JCC Houston/Dance Month at the Kaplan program where she presented
a work entitled "Puro Flamenco Puro". Lucia has taught flamenco at the Houston Ballet Academy's summer programs from 2002
through 2005. She has been under the sponsorship of the Texas Commission on the Arts for over 19 years and also performed
under the sponsorship of Young Audiences. She is now on the roster of the Mid-America Arts Alliance. She is co-founder of
the Houston Society of Flamenco Arts, which sponsored flamenco and it's related arts from 1983 -2008.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1983-Present
Artistic Director/choreographer-Gitanerias Flamenco Group
2004
-2009
Talento Bilingue (TBH) Theater Seasons
ORIGINAL Theatrical Choreographies
Lorca!(2004);Ritmo Azul (2002);
Grafico Video (2000); Nueva Espana Suite(1995);Grafico (1994); Vinetas Flamencas(1991); Etnodance (2006)
1983-Present- choreographies for 'Gitanerias' cuadro dancers
2005
Performer-Classical
Minds Guitar Festival- part of the Texas Music Festival
2004
Faculty and Performer-St.Joseph, Missouri International
Guitar Festival
1983
Founded the Houston Society of Flamenco Arts (HSFA)
The Society of Flamenco Arts and
it's volunteers have sponsored, co-sponsored and helped to present many flamenco artists to Houston audiences. HSFA has presented
local, national and international artists such as Silviana, The Champions, Edwardo Montemayor, Pilar Rioja, Miguel Rodriguez,
Paco del Puerto, Paco de Lucia Sextet, Maria Benitez, Cumbre, Rafael Riqueni, Anya Vollhart, Oscar Trevino, Timo Lozano, Antonio
Vargas, Teo Morca, Antonio Granjero and others.
1977
Formed the original Trio Gitanerias in Houston with former
San Antonio dancer, Gina Uribe and virtuoso flamenco guitarist Miguel Rodriguez.
1968-1971
Los Flamencos de San
Antonio
Under the direction of Teresa & Curro Champion
1965-1968
Mexican & American Cultural Exchange
Institute
Ballet folklorico mexicano, ballet, music
under Mexico City's foremost teachers
Scholarship to Bellas
Artes in Mexico City
PRESENTATIONS
Locally at major theaters and places such as the Wortham Theater, Hobby Center,
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hamman Hall, Jones Hall St.Thomas, Museum of Fine Arts, Children's Museum,etc. Presentations
throughout Texas have included Colombus Opera House, Titus County Fair, Waco Hippodrome, Beeville University, etc. National/International
presentations such as in Oklahoma, Kansas, Lousiana, Missouri, Mexico, Cayman Islands.
Has performed for famous personalities
like Desi Arnaz, Chuck Conners, Lola Beltran, Pete Rose, Ambassador from Spain, Spanish Consuls. Has opened presentations
for international personalities such as the late Tito Guizar, Rocio Jurado, Mark Anthony, Ricardo Montaner.
Has shared
the stage with many other performers such as harpsichordist Will Volker, Indian Dance troupe Anjali, classical guitarist
Marc Garvin, Argentinian musician Alfredo Espinosa, Mariachi Los Gallitos, Roy Brown from Puerto Rico, classical Spanish guitarist
Maria Cortes, Indian sitar player,Srinivas, Isabel Ganz, singer and musician.
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