About
Quiero Flamenco
BRINGING FLAMENCO TO THE INLAND NORTHWEST.
Founded in 2017, Quiero Flamenco was created to bring Flamenco to the Inland Northwest. To date, Quiero has produced a theater performance annually (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020) with 2019's show (Flamenco Aire) receiving a Spokane Arts grant and taking place at the Bing Crosby Theater. The theater shows include both local performers and some of the top Flamenco musicians and dancers from around the world.
Quiero also produces workshops from visiting artists so that local dancers and musicians can take classes from visiting professional Flamenco performers. In addition to theater performances and workshops, Quiero Flamenco also includes teaching classes to local dancers, from children to adults. Students are also able to perform at local festivals and shows throughout the community.
MEET MONICA MOTA.
Monica Mota is the Artistic Director, choreographer, and soloist for Quiero Flamenco. She created Quiero Flamenco to bring Flamenco to the Inland Northwest. To date, she has produced a performance each year since founding Quiero Flamenco in 2017 with 2019's show (Flamenco Aire) receiving a Spokane Arts grant.
Quiero Flamenco works with grammy nominated artists, Isadora Duncan Dance nominees, local, national and international artists in the art of Flamenco.
Her next Quiero Flamenco production Gradience, will be presented by KSPS January 10th 2025 at the Myrtle Woldson Theatre.
She is also a co-founder of Kindling Productions, a company founded to produce dance related events in the Inland Northwest, including Rising Tide (a collaborative evening of dance), 12 minutes max Spokane (providing space for the presentation of emerging works) and Ghostlight (a ghost themed interactive dance experience).
Her next Rising Tide production and next 12 minutes max production will be presented by Spokane Civic Theatre. Ghostlight received a grant from Spokane Arts grants.
She was nominated for the Spokane Arts Award in the category of Collaboration in 2023 and 2024.
In the Spokane community, she was the Board President of Nuestras Raices Centro Comunitario. She is also Vice President of Inland Northwest Dance Association and is a member on the board of Vytal Movement Dance.
She started dancing professionally as a ballet dancer with the New Mexico Ballet Company and as a modern dancer with the Bill Evans Dance Company. When she was nineteen, she attended her first Flamenco class and found her love. She has performed as a soloist for the Denver Flamenco Fantasy Dance Theatre, Oleaje Flamenco of Seattle, Flamenco Denver, Solo Flamenco of Portland and Underground Flamenco of Denver. Additionally, Monica has performed her own solo choreography at On the Boards in Seattle.
Monica has trained under Sara de Luis of Pacific Northwest Ballet. She was fortunate to teach at the Pacific Northwest Ballet summer academy and coach Seattle Opera dancers. She has studied Flamenco in Jerez, Sevilla, and Granada, Spain. She has also studied with Spanish performers such as Manuel Linan, Eva La Yerbabuena, Manuela Carrasco, Olga Pericet, Fuensanta La Moneta, Concha Jareno, El Torombo, Pastora Galvan, Rafael Campallo, Adela Campallo, Mercedes de Cordoba and Mercedes de Ruiz.
Prior to her studies in Spain, Monica studied Flamenco with Pablo Rodarte and Marisol and Joaquin Encinias of the National Institute of Flamenco.
Monica obtained her B.A. in Dance from the University of New Mexico and a Masters in Teaching from Whitworth University. When Monica is not dancing she loves spending time with her child and husband.
