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Compañía Azul - Alegría

Compañía Azul members Megan Matheson, Sean Harris, Bob Sutherby, Tony Tucker

Compañía Azul

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Azulita
Compañía Azul
Tarantos
Azulita
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Sean Harris
Daniel MacNeil
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Compañía Azul
Compañía Azul

BIO

Compañía Azul has a heart split between the coasts of Atlantic Canada and the dry earth of Andalusia. Drawn to the beauty of the music, movement and rhythms of flamenco, CompañíaAzul creates a passionate, stunning display of emotion, sound and colour. Founded by dancer Megan Azulita Matheson, the company premiered at Neptune Studio Theatre in September 2010. Since then they have appeared at numerous festivals and events in Nova Scotia and are garnering interest across the country.Compania Azul has evolved with the blessings of El Viento Flamenco, where Megan and many of the companys musicians began their careers. Megan is joined by guitarists Bob Sutherby and Daniel MacNeil, singer Sean Harris, percussionists Tony Tucker and Ian MacMillan, and dancer Sandra Tziporah. Together they strive to bring a new voice to flamenco, melding diverse backgrounds in various musical styles, while remaining grounded in the flamenco traditions.Compañía Azul is a Company in Residence at Halifax Dance and is supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities Culture and Heritage. Megan "Azulita" Matheson Principal Dance & ChoreographySandra Tziporah DanceSean Harris Vocals Bob Sutherby GuitarDaniel MacNeil GuitarTony Tucker PercussionIan MacMillan PercussionMegan "Azulita" Matheson Megan "Azulita" is the founder, Artistic Director and Principal Dancer of Compañía Azul. She began her dance career under the direction and tutelage of Evelyne Benais, as a company member of El Viento Flamenco. She has performed across Canada and has danced in collaborations with the Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Victoria Symphony Orchestra and as Principal Dancer in collaborations with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Megan has studied in Seville, Spain with Juana Amaya, Rafael de Carmen and Ángeles Gabaldón amoung others. Megan is known for her graceful arm movements and crisp, clean footwork. On stage she has been described as "stunning".Sean HarrisSean began singing from a very early age and became a versatile performer, tackling classical, blues, rock, gospel and eventually flamenco. His training in Canada and Spain with teachers Juan del Gastor and Patricio Tito helped him develop a flamenco voice that has been described as "rich, soaring and heart-rending". Ian MacMillanIan began drumming at the age of 12 in symphonic style drumming, going on to lead competitive drum corps with the Dartmouth Pipe Band Association, capturing many solo and drumcorps titles / awards on the Maritime and North American circuits including Champion Supreme on numerous occasions and the 2000 North American Championships. In 1994, Ian widened his focus to cuban, west african, middle eastern, and brazilian percussion, and co-founded the ECMA nominated world music group, "MacCrimmon's Revenge". He is a founding member of the ECMA winning "Precision Drummers Squid"; "Fola", a west african style djembe ensemble; and has been nominated for a Juno award with "DRUM", an internationally renown theatre show. He has performed across Canada, including performances at Massey Hall in Toronto and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and has toured around the world. Daniel MacNeilBorn and raised in Cape Breton, Daniel has been a performing artist based in Halifax for a number of years now. He has visited Spain a number of times to study flamenco intensively with world class artists in Madrid, and has spent time studying at the flamenco school of dance and music "Amor De Dios". Daniel has also studied classical Indian music (pakhawaj/tabla in the style of Odissi) intensively in India with his Guruji Padma Charan Dehury. Other background influences include Middle Eastern, Brazilian, Jazz, folk, classical, blues, rock and many styles in world beat. Daniel is the guitarist/Music Director for the Maria Osende Flamenco Co. Bob SutherbyThroughout his years in El Viento Flamenco and Los Flamencos, Bob has established himself as a respected flamenco guitarist. Bob is known for his emotional playing, his clear, crisp sound and his ability to accompany a dancer with precision. He has studied in Canada and Spain with Patricio Tito, Juan del Gastor, Miguel Aragón, Juan Martín, Flavio Rodrigues and Arcadio Marín. Tony TuckerTony's extensive experience with African and Cuban drumming, Newfoundland Celtic and even Hard Rock kit drumming have given him the subtlety and dynamism necessary to a flamenco band. Sandra Tziporah BornemannDancing since the age of four, Sandra Tziporah(meaning "little bird" in Hebrew) entered into the world of flamenco after being drawn in by flamencos compelling rhythms and brazen attitude. She began her studies with Afifa Lahbadi and Bonnie Stewart of Centro Flamenco in Vancouver. Continuing on to study in Halifax at El Viento School of Dance under the instruction of Azulita and Evelyne Benais,as well intensive workshops with La Pilonga and Ángeles Gabaldón, Tziporah has developed an undeniable passion for flamenco dance.

REVIEWS

SEVEN CURSES A well-balanced mélange of full-on flare with softer solo-guitar... 11 works in an array of Spanish style and sound... the ensemble serves up a selection of sweet and savoury offerings, with each member of the company bringing a distinct flavour to the feast-Stephen Patrick Clare, Arts EastCompany debut at the Neptune Studio TheatreSeptember 10, 2010REVIEWS OF COMPANY MEMBERS"...Matheson is nubile and sexy. She can cut the footwork. The musicians are excellent, and Harris is a sweeter singer than most cantors." From Flamenco to dances with stones, Paula Citron for the Globe and Mail, June 27 2006"Sean Harris' voice, at once heart-rending and tender, had the immediate capacity to evoke images of Andalusia." Review of performance at the Quebec Grand Theatre, Quebec City. Original French article by Richard Boisvert for Le Soleil, November 2007. English translation by El Viento Flamenco"...Percussionist Tony Tucker was the tireless anchor of the group - who thrive on a tight interplay of rhythms" A stomp, a flick and audience is rapt, Sarah Petrescu, Victoria Times, November 2009"...his(Sutherby)tone and style impeccably crisp" Review of the Lunenburg 2005 Folk Harbour Festival. Stephen Pedersen for the Chronicle-Herald, August 8 2005

EVENTS

Up-coming PerformancesAnnouncements coming soon. Past Performances30.10.11Fall for Flamenco Seahorse, HalifaxFestival website15.10.11Nocturne - Art at NightFestival Website2.10.11Compañía Azul at the Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside, PEI at 2:00 pm. Part of Contact East and Culture Days. Free Admission. Festival website9/10.9.11Compañía Azul at the Halifax Drum Festival.Alderney Landing Theater. Festival website13.08.11Eastern Shore Summer Arts Festival. Compañía Azul performs at the main stage: Musquodoboit Harbour Peace Park, 7pm. Festival website14.07.11Halifax Jazz Festival. 12 noon at the Festival Tent at the Lower Water at Salter Street Extension. Festival website19.03.11Fashion Dance Explosion! Halifax Dance's Gala Fundraiser at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. Tickets (902) 422-200629.10.10Creative Arts Galawww.creativenovascotia.com7.10.10 Compañía Azul & Con Brio at Stayners presented by Fall for Flamenco-Oct 7 Stayner's Wharf Pub & Grill, 5075 George Street, Halifax Cover charge: $5 www.flamencofestival.ca24.09.10Deep Roots Festival, Wolfville Compañía Azul performs at the festivals main stage www.deeprootsmusic.ca09/10.09.10 "Seven Curses" Compañía Azul's debut full-length production. Neptune Studio Theatre in Halifax. Presented by El Viento Flamenco. Purchase tickets.Guest Artist: Daniel MacNeil(Guitar and Percussion)

CLASSES

Dance Lessons

Megan "Azulita" teaches at Halifax Dance where the company is in residence, as well as from her home studio in Cow Bay. Halifax Dance- Mondays, Intermediate 5:30-6:30pmChildren's Class 4:30-5:30Location: Studio 5, Halifax Dance, 1505 Barrington St.To register phone: 422-2006Cow Bay-Tuesdays Intermediate 7-8pmPrivate lessons, Master classes and workshops are available for all levels. Please contact Megan to arrange.

Students performing at Dal International Night in 2010: (left to right) Alejandra Vera (hidden in the polka dots!), Sandra Bornemann (now dancing in C.Azul), Jan Sheppard & Martine Durier-Copp (of Viva Flamenco)

CONTACT

Bookings & Inquiries

E-mail: cazulflamenco_gmail.com

Phone: (902) 401-0014