Maria Osende

 

Maria Osende Flamenco Company
Maria Osende (Photo: Murdo Messer, courtesy of Marigold Theatre)

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Maria started dancing ballet at the age of seven with Luis Fuente, Zelma Bustillo, Julia Estevez and Jose Granero. She continued her studies at the School of American Ballet in New York City (Fulbright Scholarship). She studied flamenco with Ana Maria Amahi and at the Centro de Arte Flamenco Amor de Dios in Madrid. Maria joined the Ballet Nacional de España (Madrid) at fifteen and later on the Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet (Germany), she danced professionally for ten years in these two major European dance companies, soon becoming a soloist and obtaining extensive experience through working with several leading choreographers.

In September 2003 Maria moved to Canada, forming the Maria Osende Flamenco Company and taking Halifax by storm, helping to transform the city into a national flamenco hotspot in a few short years. Maria is primarily interested in bringing the best of today's flamenco to Canada and is the driving force behind Halifax's International Festival Fall for Flamenco. A power force of technique and artistry, Maria is renowned for her unique direction in flamenco dance. Maria also teaches at Halifax Dance, Mount Saint Vincent University and runs her own flamenco classes year-round in Halifax, www.flamencoschool.ca

 

Maria is performing in "De Espana con Amor" on October 28 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Dalhousie Arts Centre. She is also teaching in the Discover Flamenco! workshops.