Lead by Institute for Spanish Arts instructor, Emmy Grimm, students participating in the After School Program at Ramirez Thomas Elementary participated in a delightful presentation of Flamenco last Friday.  These fifteen public school Flamenco students opened performances at this evening presentation for parents that included other dance numbers in Hip Hop and a "Sock Hop".  The students  presented themselves in a very professional demeanor, all in flamenco attire and shoes from the ISA studio.  Teacher, Emmy Grimm and volunteers helped get students made up for the event that impressed over 40 parents, relatives and Santa Fe Public School staff members in the Ramirez Thomas cafeteria.

This event was possible as a result of a new partnership between the Institute for Spanish Arts and the Santa Fe Public Schools.  The program included 2 classes per week for 3rd-6th grade students in after school programs at Ramirez Thomas and Nava Elementary.  Students from both schools also attended the sold out Institute for Spanish Arts "Student Flamenco & Guitar Recital" held at the Lodge at Santa Fe on Sunday May 20, 2012.

This Spring 2012 Semester, the Institute for Spanish Arts was able to expand its Spanish/Flamenco Dance program into the school systems of Santa Fe and surrounding Northern New Mexico areas.  One of the schools to receive Flamenco instruction was Velarde Elementary in Velarde, NM (just north of Española, New Mexico).  Forty-five boys and girls, in grades 5th and 6th, spent four months learning the choreography of a Tangos de Triana from ISA Instructor Emmy Grimm.  On Thursday, April 19th, students performed, lead by Emmy Grimm. The groups were accompanied by professional Flamenco musician Jaime Martinez, who both sang and played guitar for the recital.  The audience was astounded by the professional attire of the students; each student had their own Flamenco shoes, girls wore shawls, leotards and placed flowers in their hair.  Boys wore black pants and white shirts.  Instructor Emmy remarked: "The show was a lot of work for all students but it paid off during the performance, ending with their big shinning smiles during the last bow". 

On April 19, 2012 family members, pueblo leaders, students and school staff gathered for this final Santa Fe Indian school student performance.  The performing high-school students prepared in full costume and impressed the audience with their choreographies that included: Fandangos with castanets and Tangos de Triana.  Instructor Emmy Grimm presented the group and choreographed the pieces while Guitarist Jaime Martinez accompanied the group.   
Audience: 75 

On March 10, 2012, Flamenco's Next Generation performed for the Spanish Colonial Arts Society’s annual fundraiser in the Lumpkins Ballroom in La Fonda Hotel to an audience of approximately 200.  Joaquin Gallegos, guitarst, and dancers Emmy Grimm, Miquela Sanchez Wiegel, Janira Cordova and Alex Martinez performed at the event.