Lanesboro Arts is proud to present the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective in “A Night in Andalusia Vol. 2!”

The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective inspires audiences through its passionate and soulful expressions of flamenco music and dance. They bring the essence of the art and culture of flamenco to the Midwest with internationally renowned artists. The members are guitarist Ross “El Vecino,” and dancers Sachiko “La Chayí”, Eva Makiko and La Gracia.

The collective is joined by special guest singer, Juan Pedro Jiménez from Cádiz, Spain, where he grew up at the heart of flamenco music. A world renowned flamenco singer and guitarist, Juan Pedro Jiménez has been performing in New York since 2016 with great artists such as Nelida Tirado, Rebecca Thomas, and Elisabet Torras. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Cádiz, Spain.

Twin Cities Flamenco Collective:

Eva Makiko has always been passionate about the human body and its unlimited potential to express music. As a child she received ballet training in her hometown, Tokyo, Japan. It was not until her late 20s in Minneapolis that she found flamenco and was instantly captivated by its raw emotions, sense of urgency, and the enduring strength and beauty of the human spirit. Eva danced with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre under the guidance of artistic director Susana di Palma from 2012 to 2020. She has also studied with Sachiko “La Chayi”, Omayra Amaya, La Rhina, and Junko Hagiwara, all who have influenced her form and expression. In 2020 she began her deep dive into flamenco cante under Javier Heredia with members of Twin Cities Flamenco Collective, which has profoundly deepened her understanding and appreciation of the art form. Eva performs monthly with Twin Cities Flamenco Collective in Minneapolis.

Grace ‘La Gracia’ Holthaus was born in Buffalo, Minnesota. Early on, Grace trained at On Stage School of Dance and received her B.A. in Dance and English from the University of Minnesota Morris. As a flamenco dancer, she trained and worked with various flamenco companies and artists, including: Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, Michael Hauser, Twin Cities Flamenco Collective, Deborah Elias Danza Española, and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Developing Artist and Cuadro Program. She had the honor to dance in Carmen directed by Mill City Opera (2018). In 2022, she was a finalist in the Flamenco Certamen USA competition produced by Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, performed at the Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York. As a choreographer, Grace debuted two original pieces through Zorongo Flamenco productions Zorongo Majas: In and Out of the Box and Requiem for Lost Dreams. Grace continues to work as a performing artist with Twin Cities Flamenco Collective and create contemporary flamenco-inspired choreography.

Ross “El Vecino” Fellrath is a flamenco guitarist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He plays flamenco guitar in the style of the Morao family from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The music of the Moraos combines mastery of flamenco rhythms, intricate melodies, syncopation, modern harmony and traditional family music dating back to the 1940’s. He found flamenco at age 32, and quickly became obsessed with the rhythms and its phrygian keys. He was guided on his journey by his mentor Sachiko “La Chayí” and flamenco guitar teacher Scott Mateo Davies. He continued his studies with legendary teacher “El Entri” Jimenez in Madrid, Spain. He next learned from Moron de la Frontera guitarist Juan del Gastor. Since 2022, Ross has primarly studied with Pepe del Morao in Jerez. He is also fascinated by flamenco singing and studies with Javier Heredia and José Cortés Fernández. Ross has shared the stage with incredible artists such as: Javier Heredia, “La Rhina”, Susana di Palmas, José Cortés Fernández, La Conja, Alfonso Cid, Maria Temo, Viecente Griego, Jose Moreno, Maria Guererro, Pepele Mendez, Sachiko “La Chayi”, Kristofer Hill, Melinda Hedgecorth, Bianca Rodriguez, and many more. Ross is a founding member of Twin Cities Flamenco Collective and plays and teaches regularly at Zorongo Flamenco.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Sachiko “La Chayí” is a Twin Cities-based flamenco dancer, teacher, choreographer, and founding member of Twin Cities Flamenco Collective. She received a prestigious McKnight Dancer Fellowship in 2017. Sachiko’s artistic expression in movement and music are the heart of her artistry. She testifies flamenco is a universal language which speaks the raw and authentic human emotions to the audience. She has received recognition and grants from Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota SAGE Awards for Dance, and New York State Flamenco Certamen by Flamenco Vivo. She has presented her original dance works at the Walker Art Center, the Southern Theater, and the Intermedia Arts. She was a resident artist and teacher of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School from 2003 to 2009 before she moved to Seville, Spain to study the art of flamenco for 5 years. She owes her artistic values and work to her incomparable teachers and mentors including Angelita Vargas, Farruquito, Javier Heredia, Juan del Gastor, Luis Peña, Miguel Funi, Pepe Torres, Pilar Montoya Manzano “La Faraona” and Susana di Palma (Alphabetical).