Claire Marchand
Flamenco Dance
Claire Marchand is known across Canada and internationally as a dancer and an artist of distinction. As a dancer she embodies the intensity and vitality of the art of Flamenco. As a visionary, she has created a niche for flamenco in the Canadian dance landscape, working out of Winnipeg Manitoba. Following early studies in Spanish Regional Dance with Carmen Cano de Infante, Marchand studied with Toronto-based Flamenco choreographer Claudia Carolina. She went on to study in Spain with such maestros as El Güito, Manolete, La Cíntia, Belén Maya, Joaquin Ruiz, the singer Talegón de Córdoba and many others. In 2008 she toured Canada as dance soloist with the phenomenal 19 year old Flamenco guitar virtuoso of Spain Javier Conde and his ensemble (Sept. 2008).

Marchand is a featured soloist in Flamenco festivals across Canada and internationally. Most recently she opened for Flamenco icon Isabel Bayon at the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival (2009). She also works in interdisciplinary projects such as “Crash Sites and Sacred Patter, director Karen Kuzak, TRIPdance (2006). As an independent dancer and choreographer she has created and collaborated in many works including “Flamenco Vivo” (2002), “Encuentro” (2003), “La Maja” Solo Dance Works (2005) and “RITMO!” (2006). As a member of Theatre Flamenco dance collective, Marchand collaborates in innovative works such as Misa Flamenca (1999 and 2001), Mariposa (2002 and Canada Dance Festival 2004), and The Women (2007 & 2008).

She recently directed a documentary “Marchand en Espagne” in Spain featuring interviews with legendary Flamenco choreographers for Radio-Canada, currently in production. Claire Marchand established the first studio in Manitoba devoted to Spanish Dance and Music in 1999, where local and guest dancers and guitarists can share their skills. She has taught for the Professional Program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and has set choreography on the RWB Aspirants. She has taught private students in Madrid and Jerez de la Frontera, Spain and in Taipei, Taiwan. Currently Claire Marchand is soloing as part of the full-length production of "Mis Hermanas" by Vancouver choreographer Rosario Ancer. The work was performed in Vancouver in May 2008 and will be toured to Mexico in October 2010.

Carmen Cano de Infante
Spanish Regional Dance
Born in the Southern Spanish city of Cordoba, Carmen Infante began dancing at the age of 12 with the "Grupo de Coros y Danzas de Cordoba." The group toured Spain learning dances from different regions, which they performed regularly across Spain, France and North Africa as the "living archives" of Spanish Folk dance and music. After immigrating to Canada in 1967, Infante founded the Spanish folk dance ensemble "Sol de Espana," which she tours to festivals across North and South America, and to competitions in Spain. Carmen is the recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to Spanish culture, including "El Orden del Merito Civil" from the King of Spain and a "Women of Distinction" award in 2009.

Jim Shewchuk
Flamenco Guitarist
Jim Shewchuk began playing Flamenco in 1984. He is known for his masterful interpretation and impeccable technique, which show a reverence for the early masters such as Sabicas. Jim is an excellent teacher for both novice and professional guitarists.

Kathryn Miller
Flamenco Dance/Rehearsal Mistress
Kathryn Miller began studying flamenco in 1994 with Marni Cooke at Bravado Dance Studio. Since then, she has studied extensively with Claudia Carolina, Carmen Cano de Infante, Claire Marchand and Jim Shewchuk. Miller has studied in Spain with choreographer "La Cintia" and guitarist manolo "Max" Segura, and cajon/rhythm with Pablo Serba. She has also studied with Katerina la Greca, Beatriz Barcelo and Paloma Gomez. Kathryn brings her experience as an occupational therapist to her teaching. She is a consultant to the RWB, providing workshops to dance teachers to assist them in working with children.