Pre-Show Santos Salon Series with Emilio Ochando and Rebeca Tomas

Join TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND’s Artistic and Executive Director Charles Santos for ourSantos Salon Series before the show on Friday, February 6 at 6:30 PM at the Moody Performance Hall lobby and Facebook Live, with Emilio Ochando, Associate Artistic Director of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, and company dancer Rebeca Tomas.

Discover the rich tradition, innovation, and personal artistry that fuel Flamenco Vivo’s powerful performances, and get an inside look at the creative forces behind their upcoming show.

Tickets are currently available for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana’s performances on February 6 and 7. Get tickets here: https://attpac.org/event/flamenco-vivo-carlota-santana

TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND is a dance-only presenter and a catalyst for cultural collaborations. Our Santos Salon series is designed to bring our arts community together and create meaningful conversations. Artists need to come together, support each other, and have these conversations so we can ensure that all voices are heard, now and in the future.

About the Speakers

Emilio Ochando, Associate Artistic Director of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

Emilio Ochando is a Valencia-born dancer and choreographer who began training at age nine. By 12, he was performing with the National Ballet of Spain, later completing his studies at Madrid’s Royal Conservatory “Mariemma.” He has danced with renowned companies including Domingo Ortega, Nuevo Ballet Español, and Aida Gómez, and toured internationally in tablaos and festivals. In 2013, he founded his own company, creating acclaimed works such as 3DEUNO and SIROCO. Ochando has choreographed for the Rafael Aguilar Company, the EBB Company, and others, earning top prizes at major competitions including Talentmadrid and the Certamen de Baile Español y Flamenco. A 2018 MAX Award nominee for Best Male Performer and Best New Show, he continues to tour internationally and teach masterclasses across Europe and North America, while pushing flamenco in bold, contemporary directions.

Rebeca Tomas, company dancer of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

Rebeca Tomas began her flamenco training in Granada and later studied at Madrid’s renowned Amor de Dios academy. Since moving to New York in 2006, she has performed with leading U.S. flamenco companies including Flamenco Vivo and Noche Flamenca. In 2010, she founded her own company, A Palo Seco, where she continues to choreograph and direct. Her work has received support from the Jerome Foundation, NYFA (Choreography Fellow, 2013 & 2019), and Arts Westchester, which named her one of the top 50 artists in the region. Tomas won first place at the XIII Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque and has performed at top venues across the U.S., including Lincoln Center, SummerStage, the Chicago Flamenco Festival, and the New Victory Theater. Also active in film and theater, she’s a passionate educator who leads workshops and residencies nationwide. The New York Times calls her “awesomely fiery” onstage.

Charles Santos has served as the Executive Director and Artistic Director of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND since 2001.

In his role, Charles oversees all aspects of TITAS including curation, programming, contract negotiation, and financial management. His skilled artistic vision has brought brilliant international artists to Dallas, accompanied by extensive community engagement to our community. Under his guidance, Santos has established TITAS and the City of Dallas as significant entity on the international cultural landscape. Prior to TITAS, he founded the Austin Festival of Dance and served as the Managing Director/Development Director for Eos Orchestra, Producer for Dancers Responding to AIDS-BC/EFA, and Managing Director/Producer of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.