What People are Saying About Guest Artists
“Laura, I love the vibe in your workshops and the mega talented and generous guest teachers/artists that you’re able to bring to Portland. I am extra lucky to be able to take part!” – Shyiang Strong, Vancouver, Canada
Wowee! Read what people have to say about our guest instructors and performers…
“Thank you for making the workshops with Ricardo possible. It was an incredible experience! The most important part, for me, was the connections I began to make between my body, the music, and the intention of expression.” – Elisa Rocha, Portland, OR
“Ricardo’s energy in his teaching is amazing. In every class he is giving more than 100%. I am loving all of his classes and learning so many techniques and dynamics that I can use in my dance in the future. Thank you for bring him here and I can hardly wait to see him perform this weekend!” - Stefani Miller, Portland, OR
“It really is a privilege as a dancer to have the opportunity to study in Portland with someone like Ricardo. His experience dancing and teaching make the class enjoyable and my favorite part is that he teaches technique and choreographies that show the evolution of Flamenco in the last few years. For students who are beginners I would advice to not get discouraged if you feel like you don’t get every step at first, because believe me even if you don’t realize it, through Ricardo you are getting exposed to all this amazing compas and dance energy, so be assured some of it will stay with you and in your body forever. Thanks Laura and thanks Ricardo for these amazing workshops.” - Kethrin Lases, Portland, OR
“Ricardo’s workshops are SO fun! He brings an amazing technical level but is so patient even with the beginners! Not being a good dancer myself, I still feel so wonderful while doing it! Dare I say experiencing my first twinges of duende?! I had so much fun even though I had to fend off frustration sometimes. Maybe it’s me but I think Ricardo’s teaching has improved since last time and while he went at a challenging pace we had enough repetition to get the sonidos in our heads. Thanks Laura! BTW, I love watching you dance his choreography too. You put a pretty, feminine touch to his steps. Can’t wait for next weekend!” – Amy Brownell, Portland, OR
“The choreography (and the beautiful choice of music) for the first weekend of Ricardo’s intermediate/advanced choreography workshop were truly powerful and inspiring. Even though it was a great challenge for me to keep up, I know that I learned some fun new moves that I can use in the future. More importantly, being a part of a group of dancers participating in this art that we love, together with Ricardo, was REALLY fun and inspirational. I am really looking forward to learning more next weekend, and I wish I could take ALL of the classes offered. Even if you can only do one weekend, I highly recommend it.” - Julie Pacheco-Toye, Portland, OR
“I am so enjoying the entire experience with Ricardo. Laura, I just cannot tell you what a spectacular experience the performance last night. I am already looking forward to Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it is only Monday. Ole.” – Pat France, Portland, OR
“Ricardo’s first workshop is such a great memory for me – he is an excellent teacher and a beautiful dancer!!
Reflecting on his first time in Portland, I recall that I remembered his choreography for a long time. Usually I forget quickly, but his footwork stayed with me for weeks. Some workshops have such intricate footwork and the artist wants to complete the choreography in a short period of time. I felt as though Ricardo was more interested in giving us what he thought we could accomplish in a short period of time – with the hope that we might remember it after he left. He is a treasure!” – Leigh Young, Portland, OR
“(Ricardo) inspires you to dance your best. Imagine how good we will all be when he comes back for a longer stay!” -Lillie Last, Portland, OR
“I am so glad that I attended the workshops and performance. I felt so inspired and invigorated, actually maybe a little too much I don’t think I was able to sleep for a few nights. But it really made me realize how much I love to dance, and how much I have to learn too. Also, I think like everyone, I developed a little crush on Ricardo.” -Alexis
“Thanks Laura for organizing this workshop/show. It was amazing!!! You did a wonderful job and Ricardo, well he is a sweetheart.” -Kethrin Lases, Portland, OR
“Thanks for organizing such a wonderful workshop. It was my first workshop (as you know) and I couldn’t have had more fun. I don’t think I’ve ever even gotten to dance to live music. What a treat! And, if you get a chance, will you let Ricardo know how much I enjoyed learning from him. He was a great teacher and I appreciated his patience with my lack of competency. 
Also, great performance on Saturday! Definitely a wonderful night!” -Brittany Stolle, Portland, OR
“Ricardo’s workshops are amazing! He’s such an attentive teacher – very exacting and will break everything down clearly and slowly, always checking in to make sure everyone is happy and understands everything “in our head”. Besides being a phenomenal dancer he’s encouraging, professional, respectful and incredibly patient. Laura has… been very kind in translating his Spanish so we understand his most salient points. Everyone at the workshop has soooo friendly and helpful. We love Portland Flamenco and hope we can come back soon!” -Cyrena Huang, Vancouver, B.C.
“Ricardo exceeded my expectations. I’ve been dancing for over 10 years and still picked up some breakthrough tips in the 3 days of workshops. He takes the time to go through fundamentals and also has challenging but fun choreography. I’m impressed at how patient and encouraging he was. His classes were well structured, had a good pace, and he was a top notch (and nice!) teacher. Since I can’t go to Spain, this is Spain coming to me. The Portland Flamenco Events dancers were very welcoming…thanks to Laura for translating and more importantly for making this happen. I only wish I could’ve stayed longer to see the show and learn more but there’s always next time. I’m definitely coming back!” -Shyiang Strong, Vancouver, B.C.
“Each day I can’t believe that I am taking a class from someone as amazing as Ricardo. I am like a baby who is learning to walk when compared to him. But it is so fun!!” – Stefani Miller, Portland, OR
“You were right, he does “stand alone” as a teacher. It is apparent that he loves his craft, which spills out in the classroom, whether involved with explaining a step, the cante, the palmas, or just demonstating with his crisp movements, turns, energy and enthusiasm.:) All in all, quite a memorable week. Now if I can just remember the choreography.:( “ -Ann, Vancouver, WA
“It was one of the best workshops I have ever done.”
“He’s such a good and generous teacher, and I loved the style and choreography.”
“WHAT A FABULOUS TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is an inspiration!” Leigh Young, Portland, OR
“It was the clearest and most well taught palmas class I have ever taken. The patterns were clean and understandable and the repetition was just right. That is a class I would not miss again. Thank you Emilio and thank you Laura for bringing such high quality artists here,” – Diana Bright, Portland, OR
“I heart Emilio. His workshops were a crazy-fun sweat-inducing challenge, and he taught us some amazingly simple techniques that I’ll be able to use in my everyday practice. And I loved his Tangos choreography!” – Heather Williams, Portland, OR
“Laura gracias por traer a Emilio , me gusto muchisimo es un buen bailao,y buen maestro, espero verlo otra vez.” – Rafaela de Cadiz, Portland, OR/ Cadiz. Spain
” Emilio is a phenomenal dancer and a skilled and inspirational teacher. He made us work hard from the first minute to the last, but it was well worth it! I hope he comes back to Portland, and does a performance. I would highly recommend his workshops to others.” – Julie Pacheco-Toye, Portland, OR
“Cristo Cortes was not only great he was amazing. looking forward to more in the future.” – Lamia, Portland, OR
” Cristo Cortes is a gifted cantaor and a natural teacher – a maestro in both senses. Not only did we learn two new letras in two days, but we learned aspects of the cante (singing behind the beat, melodic ornamentation, etc.) that will change and improve everything in our repertoires.” – Paul Brady, Portland, OR
“The Ricardo Diaz palmas/jaleos/soniquete workshop was so much FUN! He’s such a warm, generous flamenco spirit, with an infectious smile and sense of humor. Can’t wait for the next one! ”
- Heather, Portland, OR
“Antonio’s workshop was great fun and energizing. I liked the fact that he took the time to do warm-up stretches (very important for this body), his technique section was beneficial (got the brain engaged) and choreography was accessible and interesting. And he ‘connected’ with each dancer in the workshop. He’s very engaging, a great storyteller with a sense of humor.” – Becky, Tri-Cities, Washington