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Ilisa Rosal: A Lifetime in Flamenco

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Ilisa Rosal: A Lifetime in Flamenco

 

 

Introduction to Ilisa Rosal.   0:56 sec.  Interview:  Raymond Elman.  Post-Production:  Izzy Canizares.  Music: Sunsearcher – Flamenco Rhythm.  Recorded via Zoom:  9/5/2023, Miami.

  

ILISA ROSAL is a professional Flamenco Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director, and Founder of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa (BFLR), an International professional company dedicated to Flamenco as an ever-evolving art form. The innovative and creative artists of BFLR present Flamenco dance in a theatrical setting — expanding the art form. The dancers and musicians of BFLR are creators. The combination of sophisticated theatre, traditional Flamenco, and original choreography allows the company to present a consummate theatre experience. Intricate, collaborative works further their continuing quest to create new artistic forms. This groundbreaking approach develops the connection between Flamenco and other styles of dance and music – like Jazz, Tap, Blues, American Country Music, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian, African, Sefardic, Indian Dance, and Celtic Music and Dance — exploring the common elements and developing new dance forms.  

Rosal studied in Spain with Ciro, El Guito, La Tati, and many other artists. In 1975-1980, Rosal studied Spanish Dance with Luisita Sevilla and Jose Molina. She earned her degree in theatre from the University of Miami and studied Classical Ballet in New York with David Howard and Nanette Charisse.  

Rosal has created over two hundred Flamenco pieces, cross-cultural collaborations, and full-length dramatic Flamenco Ballets. The Company is celebrating its 35th season and looking forward to even more innovative projects. 

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 8 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos. 

  

 

 

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   1:18 min.

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   2:00 min.

What was your parents background?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:  1:41 sec.

Were your parents from outside the United States?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:  1:42 min.

Did your parents speak Spanish?

 

OPEN TO CHANGE, FLEXIBILITY:  4:27 min.

When did you start feeling like dance might be your calling?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:  2:04 min.

How old were you when you first saw Flamenco?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   1:48 min.

What are some of the origin stories about Flamenco?

 

SERENDIPITY:  0:19 min.

 I’m assuming you didn’t run into ballet legend Lourdes Lopez when you were growing up?

 

 UNDERSTANDS THE BUSINESS OF ART:  8:07 min.

When did you start thinking about making a career out of dance, and how did that evolve?

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:  1:15 min.

Where did you live in Spain?

 

VALUES FIRST-RATE EDUCATION:  3:52 min.

Tell us about your dance school and how it evolved?

 

PERSEVERANCE FURTHERS:  1:56 min.

How did you learn the skills required to manage a business?

 

COLLABORATION:  0:26 min.

Are you friends with Michael Spring, the recently retired Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:  7:42 min.

What was your inspiration for transforming “Streetcar Named Desire” into a Flamenco experience?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:  1:02 min.

You also transformed Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey into Night” into a Flamenco experience — right?

 

VALUES FIRST-RATE EDUCATION:  1:41 min.

Your son, Jacob George, studied at the Berklee College of Music, right?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:  1:00 min.

Where does your son live?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:  2:11 sec.

What’s your favorite movie?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:  1:09 min.

What’s on your drawing board?