What’s La Juerga?
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, La Juerga is a flamenco ensemble featuring some of the best young artists from around the United States. Our mission, is to bring you professional, high quality FLAMENCO PURO! (Pure flamenco) In this show, featuring Alejandro Pais Iriart (guitarist) from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Chayito Champion (singer) and Carlos Menchaca (dancer), from San Antonio, Texas; and Illeana Gomez (dancer) from Laredo, Texas, you will see a powerful performance of both original choreographies by Illeana Gomez and Carlos Menchaca, as well as organic improvisation between cante, guitarra, y baile- the purest form of flamenco.
Alejandro Pais Iriart was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the neighborhood of La Boca. Music, the guitar in particular, has always been a part of Alejandro’s life. After moving to New Mexico at the age of fourteen, Alejandro studied guitar at Highland High School under Paul Nilsson, who after seeing his talent for bossanova, tango and other folkloric music, introduced him to his next mentor, Luis Campos, a flamenco and classical guitar teacher in New Mexico. Shortly after graduating high school, he began playing as an assistant instructor at the University of New Mexico, under Eva Encinias-Sandoval. Alejandro performs as a soloist and as a dance accompanist with several performance groups in New Mexico and Argentina. He has had the opportunity of taking classes with Jesus de Rosario and Anton Jimenez, cantaor Jesule de Utrera, El Entri and many more. He played in tablaos with legendary guitarist Chuscales, as well as accompanying dance classes for such dancers as Monica Fernandez, from the Antonio Canales dance company, as well as Argentine dancer Laura Manzella. Alejandro currently lives in Albuquerque where he studies with legendary guitarist Pedro Cuadra, one of the pioneers of flamenco fusion as we know it today.
Illeana Gomez
Illeana Gomez began her dance training in ballet, Spanish classical, and flamenco in her native town of Laredo Texas. In 2003, she began performing with with the groups Flamenco Fuego de San Antonio, and Tierra Adentro Cuadro Flamenco. In 2006, Illeana moved to Albuquerque, NM to study at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts under Joaquin Encinias where she soon became a member of Alma Flamenca, then, Yjastros: the American Flamenco Repertory Company. That year, Illeana got accepted to the MFA program at UNM where she studied with Eva Encinias- Sandoval. In May 2010, she was awarded an MFA in dance.
Over the past four years, she has gained professional experience working in various productions put on by various companies including Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, Theresa Cardenas Theater Company’s production of “El Pintor,” and the Juan Siddi Flamenco Theater Company, where she worked as a soloist. In 2011, Illeana moved to New York where she worked with such artists as Saray Munoz, Pedro Cortez, and Auxi Fernandez. Illeana has also had the great opportunity of sharing the stage with such artists as Coral de Los Reyes, Jose Valle “Chuscales” and Jesule de Utrera. To further pursue her studies in flamenco, Illeana travels to Spain frequently, studying at Amor de Dios in Madrid or at various schools, including Juana Amaya’s academy in Seville. She will be going on tour with Carlota Santana in January, 2012.
Carlos Menchaca
Carlos began dancing at age ten, studying Flamenco, Mexican Folklorico, and Spanish classical dance in San Antonio, Texas. At age Sixteen, he became a member of the Guadalupe Dance Company under the direction of his aunt Belinda Menchaca. In 2006 he relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to study at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and to work with Yjastros: the American Flamenco Repertory Company, under the direction of Joaquin Encinias. Currently Carlos is an instructor at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and is pursuing a BA in contemporary dance at the University of New Mexico.
Chayito Champion
Flamenco singer Chayito Champion began singing at an early age carrying the legacy of her family of flamenco artists. She is in high demand both nationally and internationally, always captivating her audiences with her heartfelt and passionate performances. Chayiot says "I don't remember when I started to sing I just did it was like walking and talking I just did it."
Her recent engagements include such prestigious venues as Repertorio Español, Thalia Theatre, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City. She is currently the Flamenco singer for Calo Flamenco, a 20-member Flamenco dance company and will record her first album with Chris Burton Jacome in 2009. New York Times has written "Chayito Captivated her audience with her haunting voice".
In 1978 she was given the name Gitana Americana by the late Antonio Montoya, El Farruco, who was traveling with his son, Farruquito, and Chayito's father, El Curro, as part of Jose Greco's flamenco company. She has toured the world with such artists as the late Jose Greco, Antonio Vargas, Teo Morca, NaNa Lorca, and Pilar Rioja, Luis Montero, and Antonio Hidalgo with Carlota Santana Dance Co. to name a few. Some highlights of her career include H.O.L.A. Award and A.C.E. Latinos Critics Award in 2003 in New York City as well as Prime Minister of Shri Lanka’s ambassador's award in 2004.
She always remembers her father’s words, “Live flamenco!” - and so she does.
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