Street act inspires dance class

Before she came to UNM, dancer Jeanne d’Arc Casas was a broke, Puerto Rican exchange student in Philadelphia.

In a foreign land, Casas wondered how she was going to support herself in the city, so she turned to what she knew best: dancing.
“I need money,” she said. “Let’s perform!”

With an empty hat, her worn flamenco shoes and tenacity, she said she headed to one of Philly’s busy public squares to dance under the city lights. She recruited a percussionist and trumpet player along the way.
“I would just dance, no structure,” Casas said.

Typically, street performance isn’t a viable income source, but Casas’ “crazy idea” turned into a dance she later took with her to the University: Convergencias.

The title of Casas’ self-choreographed dance concert, Convergencias, can be translated into what Casas calls her “future artistic exploration.”
Casas said it’s convergence between music and movement. Convergencias is Casas’ final project to earn her master’s of Fine Arts degree.

The show is a five-piece fusion of contemporary, modern and classic flamenco that incorporates Casas’ passion for dance and love of syncopated rhythms and cantes (songs).

Casas said she wants to merge the aspects of dance and music that define her.

“I’m not trying to label everything I do,” she said, “Because I don’t come from there.”

With costumes ranging from Arabian-inspired jewel-toned tunics to traditional bata de colas, a long-trained flamenco skirt, Casas infuses “convergencias” throughout her show. The elements highlight the connections that Casas’ grandfather introduced to her at 5 years old. Casas explored several dance forms from ballet to classical Spanish dance.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Casas said she was introduced to flamenco’s power and passion by mentor Antonio Santaella. Santaella urged Casas to continue with flamenco after Casas performed in several tablaos (flamenco shows in intimate settings).

And with that, Casas said she searched for graduate programs that would allow her to incorporate her devotion to dance and love of higher learning. She found the perfect blend at UNM.

Not satisfied with raw talent and dedication, Casas taught Modern Dance I and Flamenco I at UNM, and she said she hopes to open a dancing center in Puerto Rico that incorporates arts and education.

“Dance is so related to what is life itself,” she said. “That’s what makes dance so alive. It’s a journey. It’s never-ending. It’s beautiful.”