Carla Soto – Venezuelan Flamenco dancer

Flamenco is the shout of the man in pain

As an artistic genre created in Andalusia in the ninetieth century, Flamenco expresses a musical fusion of oppressed cultures (Arabic, Gipsies from India, Jewish, African and Spanish from lower classes) singing, music, dance and drama. Flamenco manifests the human tragedy represented in life, love and death.
Carla Soto & Ritmos Flamencos UK give a taste of this art performing the most popular Flamenco rhythms. The dances describe the antagonism that Flamenco manifests, happiness and sadness, tradition and innovation, purity and fusion style.

• Live Flamenco performances at weddings, festivals, schools, private parties and functions.
• Flamenco Classes in Leeds and Bradford coming up in September.
• Beginners, Elementary and Intermediate levels.

For more information contact Carla Soto 07748285567 carlasotom@hotmail.com

Carla Soto, Venezuelan Flamenco dancer, comes from a musical Cuban-Spanish family. She holds a Literature and Language Degree (Caracas, Venezuela) and completed her thesis on ‘Lorca and Flamenco, the Relationship between Spanish Poetry and the Art of Flamenco’. The artist is a Spanish Tutor, professional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher.

Carla has received dance training since she was 14 in Classical, Jazz, Contemporary, Tango, African and Cuban dances. At the age of 20, Carla discovered Flamenco and realised that it was the true musical form of movement and expression she was looking for. Pasion Flamenca Dance School, in Caracas, offered her a Contemporary and Classical instructor position. In addition, she was also trained as a Flamenco teacher and a professional performer. Combining Contemporary and Flamenco dance, Carla has performed in theatres in Caracas.

For the last 5 years Carla has lived in the UK and continues to develop her dance technique. Her passion for Flamenco has allowed her to travel and perfect her art in London and Spain. The dancer has had the pleasure of studying under esteemed Spanish dance instructors such as Rafaela Carrasco, Belen Maya, Paloma Gomez, Antonio el Pipa, Chiqui de Jerez, Pilar Ogalla, Pepa de Molina, Eduardo Guerrero and Clarita Filgueiras.

In 2005 she completed her Spanish Language Teaching Course in London. Shortly after began working in Kent at Hablemos Spanish School, where she had the opportunity to teach Flamenco and performed at cultural events and Spanish parties. During the summer of 2006, she was offered the task of coordinating the first Latin Festival in the area. She has had performed regularly at Spanish events, social gatherings and festivals around Kent.

Carla now lives in Yorkshire and has brought her Flamenco to this area. She’s been regular classes and workshops for people of all ages at colleges, schools and Councils in the northeast of England. She is currently performing, choreographing and running Flamenco projects. She participated in the York Fiesta Festival. (Pictures Below – click to englarge).