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Location/Fees Class Offerings About Gracia What to Wear Performances Donate
Maya Gracia is Founder and Executive/Artistic Director of Gracia Art Dance Organization (G.A.D.O.) where she also contracts services as instructor, choreographer and performer. She has worked as founder, director, choreographer and master instructor of Dances of Spain Academy in Omaha, Nebraska. She was also founder of dance troupe Ále Flamenco Northern Arizona (Prescott/Sedona), where she performed, directed, choreographed and instructed. Gracia has an extensive dance background in Ballet, Classical Spanish, Middle Eastern, Flamenco and has studied with Masters from England, the Middle East, Spain and Japan (by associate training of famed Spanish Dance legend, Matilde Coral). Gracia has over 10 years experience teaching Spanish Classical/Flamenco Dance to children and adults of all ages. She offers training in many different styles including Caracoles, Alegrias, Rumbas, Tangos, Bulerias, Columbianas, Guajiras, Farrucas and Fandangos.
Her specialty is featuring the Sevillanas.
Sevillanas (shown above) is a graceful, classic dance often performed at celebrations and weddings, hailing from Seville. She believes it is best highlighted after Semana Santa (or Holy Week) during Feria de Abril, featured in Spain during the Spring. Though this particular dance has countless variations, Gracia has chosen to present it in the majestic, Classical style of famed Spanish dance legend, Matilde Coral. Gracia includes Cante (voice), Castanet accompaniment, Compas (rhythm and music theory), Spanish Classical deportment and etiquette in her curriculum.
Gracia also feels honored to be one of the few instructors in America to teach and perform Spanish Regional Folk Dances such as those (Seguidillas, Jota and more) seen in Northern Spain on the Sacred Pilgrimage to Santiago De Compostela. Her penchant for Northern Spanish Dance originates from her father's Scottish heritage. At one time, Northern Spain was inhabited by the Gaelic people (where the province of Galicia gets its name). Music and dance from Cantabria, Rioja, Navarra, Galicia, Basque and Asturias have a profound Celtic influence. Gracia is a member of Scotland's Clan Ross by her father's ancestry.
Gracia's passion for Spanish Dance and Folk Art was destined by her mother's Spanish and Mayan Indian heritage. She also works as a Contemporary Latin Sacred Artist, creating sacred and other ecclesiastical art as well as antique Spanish treasure-inspired Relicario jewelry worn by dancers and personalities around the world.
Gracia has a Master's background in Fine Art and has attended The Art Center and Cal Arts (both Fine Art Universities in Southern California). She spent several years in the apparel industry, where she worked as a fashion illustrator/designer. Her art pieces are a part of the permanent collection of the International Museum of Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Read the Fosters Daily Democrat Newspaper Article
Read the Sea Coast Online Newspaper Article
See The Omaha World Herald Metro Guide Sunday Feature:
View Arizona's Prescott Woman Magazine Feature:
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