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Sarah Hart
Dance on TV
Flamenco
multiple locations

Renowned New York Flamenco Artist Nelida Tirado to be Featured on NBC's Today Show (April 24, 2009)

by Sarah Hart
April 24, 2009
NBC's Today Show
New York, NY-Flamenco artist Nelida Tirado brings the passion and fury of Flamenco to the set of NBC'S Today Show on April 24, 2009. She will perform with her group of musicians as well as teach some Flamenco steps to the hosts of the show. The Today Show airs in most major markets from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every weekday.
> Tirado, hailed as "magnificent" by the NY Times, is known for her intense grace and commanding style. She is one of few American-born dancers to make her mark in Spain as well as the United States. Through her powerful work with Flamenco heavyweights such as Maria Pages, Juan Andres Maya, Antonia El Pipa, and many others she has gained a worldwide reputation as a force to be reckoned with in Flamenco.
> The Bronx-raised New York native was born into a family of musicians, though no one had been able to earn a living as an artist. Upon the urging of her mother to discover her Puerto Rican roots via dances such as the Bomba and the Plena, Tirado stumbled upon Flamenco, where she embraced the art form's rhythmic and fiery qualities. Flamenco also gave her the freedom to express the anguish and loss of both of her parents at very young ages.
> Tirado began her formal training at age six at Ballet Hispanico of NY where she trained in classical ballet, graham technique and classical Spanish dance/Flamenco. Her dance training led her to become a scholarship recipient, member of the apprentice company, and receive yet another scholarship- The Tito Puente Scholarship.
> Barely out of her teens, she was immediately noticed and was invited to join Jose Molina Bailes Espanoles and
> toured the US for the next several years. She joined Carlota Santana's "Flamenco Vivo" company and was soloist and dance captain for several years. She was original member of the Metropolitan Opera's Spanish Ballet and performed in Franco Zeferelli's "Carmen at the Met and toured Japan. In 1997, she received an Artist in Residence grant from the New York Foundation of the Arts. Her desire to continue learning led her to Spain in 1997 where she immediately began studying and performing professionally with Juan Andres Maya in Granada. She was offered a scholarship with the "Fundacion Cristina Hereen" in Seville but instead joined Compania Maria Pages where she was soloist and dance captain performing at prestigious Flamenco festivals within Spain including the Bienal del Arte Flamenco, Festival de Jerez, Festival de Otono, and the Festival de la Guitarra in Cordoba. She has performed nationally and internationally throughout the world and in 2000, she was part of World Music Institute's "Gypsy Caravan 1" with Compania Antonio El Pipa. Her competence, impeccable technique and comprehension of Flamenco gave her the opportunity to work with many of Spain's major Flamenco artists such as Fernando Romero, Manolo Marin, Manuel Soler, Antonio Reyes, Juan Ogalla, Isabel Bayon, Pastora Galvan, Marina Heredia and many more.
> Upon her return to the US, she worked with "Noche Flamenca" and was featured Flamenco star in the highly acclaimed show "Riverdance" on Broadway. She recently participated in The E-MOVES choreography showcase at Harlem Stage 2007, 2008 and presented her first solo concert June 2007 "Flamenco Pa' Dos" with guest artist David Paniagua at The Peter Jay Sharpe Theater at Symphony Space. She also debut new works at the Joyce SoHo in New York last summer.
>
> Tirado currently resides in New York City and was recently awarded a grant from HarlemStage's Fund for New Work. She also received the 2007 BRIO award for artistic excellence from the Bronx Council of the Arts and was featured as Dance Magazines "25 to Watch" in 2007.
> For additional information, please contact Grit Pr & Management at 503/887.2644 or email gritpr@gmail.com.
> To learn more about Nelida Tirado, please visit www.nelidatirado.com
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