Experience the raw spirit of flamenco through passionate dance and authentic singing from Jerez, Spain. Blending deeply traditional styles with touches of gypsy-rock energy, this show captures the soul, rhythm, and fire of true flamenco.
Flamenco y Groove
Featuring
Dancer: Leticia Jimenez
Dancer: Mizuho Sato
Dancer: Cristina Moguel
Guitarist: Jose Tanaka
Singer: Pepele Mendez
Jose Tanaka, Artistic Director
Jose Tanaka ventured away from Flamenco and began playing the electric guitar at age 13 came to the United States to study Jazz, Blues, Latin and Rock styles and theory at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California and continued to perform with various bands throughout greater Los Angeles.
After being a guitar instructor for a few years, at the age of 24 Tanaka rediscovered his passion for Flamenco and pursued further study in Seville and Madrid, Spain.
He has performed with Antonio Rey, Joaquin Grilo, Belen Maya, Maria Juncal, Cocha Jareño, Carmen Ledesma, Manuela Rios, Ivan Vargas, Domingo Ortega, Juan Antonio Suarez “Canito”, Juan Triviño, Pedro Estache, Ramon Stagnaro, Efrain Toro, Luis Peña, Antonio Cortez "Chiquitete, Julia Migenes, David Williams, Jonathan Moffett, Eddie Miller.
José Tanaka has toured throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Japan performing in many well-known places (Hollywood Bowl in LA, Olympia in Paris, Acropolis in Athens, Tarantos in Barcelona, El Flamenco in Tokyo etc.).
José Tanaka released his debut album/CD “Gypsy’s Dream” in 1999. Featuring top session musicians percussionist Alex Acuña, wind player Pedro Estache. In 2004, he released his 2nd Flamenco album/CD “Lluvia” with Domingo Ortega and Manuel De La Malena.
Mizuho Sato, Dancer
Born in Iwate, Japan, Mizuho Sato began her classical ballet training at the tender age of 2.5. Her early passion for dance led her to the Royal Ballet Academy in England for summer studies, but it was during her university years in Tokyo that she discovered flamenco, igniting a transformative journey. She honed her craft in Seville, studying with esteemed instructors before returning to Japan to perform in renowned tablaos.
Mizuho's talent was recognized at the age 20 by the Japanese Flamenco Association and the Ambassador of Spain. She further refined her skills in Spain, learning from luminaries such as Los Farrucos in Sevilla and at Amor de Dios in Madrid. Relocating to Los Angeles in 2003, she started showcasing her artistry at prominent venues including The Fountain Theatre, El CID, and the Ford Theatre, etc.
Mizuho founded her own company, Mizuho Sato Flamenco Company, in San Francisco in 2018. She has collaborated with influential artists and received accolades, including performances with the Los Angeles Opera's Carmen, as a featured soloist in the Isadora Duncan Award-winning production SOLAZ, and shared stages with legendary Spanish artists at Flamenco Arts Festival in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival. In 2023 she got nominated for Isadora Duncan Awards “Outstanding Achievement- Individual Performance” with her own multi-genre choreography.
An educator at Stanford University and a multifaceted artist, Mizuho continues to enrich the cultural landscape with her dynamic creativity.
Christina Moguel, Dancer
Cristina Moguel, a native Angelina, from Norwalk began dancing ballet folklorico and jazz since childhood. She fell in love with flamenco at 12 and went on to study with many flamenco artists in Mexico and Madrid. She has worked with the Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo company (New York), the Metropolitan Opera “Carmen” , Passion y Arte flamenco company in (Philadelphia), and with Compania Esencia Flamenca-directed by Antonio Rodríguez in various parts of Mexico. Currently she performs with Flamenco Flavor dance company (New York), as well as, performs throughout Southern California and Mexico with her own Flamenco group - Urban Flamenka. Cristina continues to work with local Flamenco groups - Cale music group, Alma Flamenca, and Danza Fusion in the southern california region and teaches Flamenco at Santa Monica College.
Leticia ‘la Canela’ Jimenez, Dancer
Internationally recognized Flamenco artist, Leticia ‘La Canela’ Jimenez, started her studies in ballet, classical Spanish dance, and flamenco in La Academia Arte Espanol, Texas at the young age 4. It didn't take her long to find her true calling as a skilled choreographer, producer and director of the Flamenco arts. She continued her studies in Spain with world renowned artists such as Ciro, Paco Romero, Cristobal Reyes, Eva “La Yerbabuena”, La China, Domingo Ortega, Manolo Marin, Farruquito to name just a few.
She has taught workshops, classes, choreographed and has been invited as a featured artist for various companies throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, England, Canada, Scotland, Mexico and Spain.
She has also toured with various theatrical companies such as “Flamenco Confusion” in Montreal, Vancouver (as the choreographer and lead) and others such as Antonio Santaella’s “Lamento por Federico Garcia Lorca” and “Julia de Burgos en Flamenco” in Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico.
In Madrid, Spain, Leticia performed at the noted Corral de la Pacheca with Miguel Sandoval and at numerous Tablaos (Spanish Restaurants) throughout Europe. She has starred in various festivals and theatres across the country and around the world working as a performer and chorographer. As a guest artist she has performed at the Epcot Center in Walt Disney World for their food and wine festival and at Sea World of Orlando, for “Viva la Musica”. She has also preformed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with Ven Pa'ca. Most recently she was invited to be the lead guest artists for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines Flamenco Dance shows with ‘Ole Ole’ and Flamenco Express.
Leticia’s unique style of blending modern rhythms of musical influences from all over the. world combined with classical techniques has made her a sought after commodity of the Flamenco arts.