by Marcella Ortega
Daily Lobo
Eva Encinias-Sandoval said Festival Flamenco Internacional has come a long way in 20 years.
The annual festival began in 1987 as a celebration of UNM's College of Fine Arts' 50th anniversary. Encinias-Sandoval, who was a UNM flamenco instructor at the time, organized the three-day event that consisted of three workshops, two performances and featured three guest flamenco artists.
"It was received with tremendous enthusiasm," Encinias-Sandoval said. "They asked if I would consider making it an annual event. In the past 20 years, it grew in size and scope."
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This year, the festival will last eight days and include 32 workshops in dance, singing, percussion, history and theory for amateurs and professionals. It will feature 52 artists from around the world in 10 performances.
"What we are doing is more recognized in Spain than here," she said. "It is amazing that it has an international reputation. UNM has been key in the fact that Albuquerque is considered the center of flamenco in the United States."
She attributes her passion for flamenco to her family heritage.
"We are five generations of flamenco artists," she said. "That is unheard of in this country."
Encinias-Sandoval's daughter, Marisol Encinias, is a dance instructor at UNM and the director for the University's pre-professional flamenco program, Alma Flamenca. Encinias, who began dancing at 6, said her mother and grandmother taught her how to dance.
"I grew up in a family of dancers," Encinias said. "Art was always a huge part of our lives. My mom danced many forms, so we were always around dance."
Encinias said she and her brother Joaquin Encinias, who is the director of Yjastros: American Flamenco Repertory Company, returned to their family's tradition after pursuing different interests.
"It's something that I've always been a part of," she said. "I love that I can do it for a living. It's always challenging and exciting."
Encinias-Sandoval said the programs are an opportunity for students to establish their careers in the field.
"We have people who come and audition for Alma Flamenca, then Yjastros, so they can go from student experience to professional experience," she said.
UNM alumna Alexa Milton was a dancer in Alma Flamenca and auditioned for Yjastros.
"I loved it," Milton said. "I heard about the conservatory in Albuquerque and wanted to see what it was all about."
Milton said New Mexico is the only place in the United States with such a large flamenco program.
"The uniqueness and amazing virtuosity is really incredible," she said.
Encinias-Sandoval said although flamenco was originated by Spanish Gypsies, it now has a New Mexico influence as well.
"We are some of the few in America to be raised in a flamenco family," she said. "We take very seriously the gift of music and dance, maintaining integrity and authenticity of the art form. I feel that with every generation it gets better and better."
