The Art of Contemporary Flamenco

Speaker: Leonor Leal, Dancer

Leonor Leal is considered one of the best flamenco dancers in Spain today. She will discuss her art and define how she is stretching the boundaries of flamenco. She began her dance education in Jerez de la Frontera in classical and Spanish dance. Later she also took up flamenco, studying with several prominent teachers both in Jerez and Seville. Her first professional engagements were in the companies of Antonio El Pipa, Andrès Marin, Javier Baron and in the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia conducted by Cristina Hoyos. She performed in the well-known productions such as "Femenino Plural", "Alicia" , "El Pais de las Maravillas", "Serenata Andaluza", "Jovenes Valores del Flamenco" and "Viva Jerez." In 2008 she presented her first choreography "Leoleole" at the festival of Jerez 2008. It was a performance which allowed her to break through both in Spain and abroad. That same year she was also awarded a recognition for being the most outstanding female dancer at a renowned contest in Madrid. She also danced in several Sevillian tablaos and taught at the "Andres Marin-Flamenco Abierto" academy in the Spanish capital.

Leal's lecture is presented by the John Hope Franklin Center and the Duke Dance Program. A light lunch will be served.