Learn more about Jelena and her vision of Flamenco for Life by clicking the PHOTO above and be sure to subscribe to her PODCAST AND creative content on YouTube!
JELENA AVA RISTIC | PHOENIX, AZ - I was born and raised in Toronto Canada, where I started taking Flamenco Dance classes at the Academy of Spanish Dance under Esmeralda Enrique in 2000.
It was love at first sight. I immediately threw myself in wholeheartedly not only attending several classes a week, but also taking workshops from celebrated Flamenco dancers and percussionists from Spain & New Mexico. I continue to study under Katerina Giannakopoulou & Franchesca Flamenco, as well as have studied under Maria Avila on-line respectively from Cologne Germany, and Vancouver Canada as well as with Elba Hevia y Vaca in Philadelphia, and Yumi La Rosa here in Phoenix Arizona where I now permanently reside.
I spent several years organizing rehearsals and performances for the Academy of Spanish Dance in Toronto for various community events such as The Dragon Boat Races, Latin American Festivals, Holiday Events and Celebrations around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
In Toronto I have performed with Tamar Illana, Ilse Gudino, Angela Deiseach, Pam Briz, Lisa La Mantia, Clauda Calú Aguirre and Jorge Miguel as well as performed for the online Philadelphia Fringe Dance Festival with Pasión Y Arte for the piece "Sevillana Get Togethers," 2020. My dedicated personal development includes art therapy (certified), mediation (certified), yoga (intensive personal practice), rigorously exploring and applying high performance habits, and supporting interdisciplinary art projects that greatly enrich my practice and teaching of the dance form.
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