Francesca’s Fire
Francesca
Nardi knows the fire of flamenco. The 17 year-old dance protégé will present
that passion this Thursday night, with a performance at The Seahorse Tavern in
Halifax. Recently AE spoke with Nardi about that flame.
What is your own
ethnicity/heritage?
Like
many Canadians, I have a very mixed heritage… Some Italian, Scottish, British,
and Austrian.
When and why did you get
involved with flamenco?
I
got involved with Flamenco around age ten when I saw Maria Osende perform. I
was completely enthralled by the passion, style and excitement of the dance,
and wanted to try it. I had always loved to dance, and had a ballet background
so I decided to start taking classes.
Are they the same
reasons you do it today?
Flamenco
still holds massive appeal to me because of the emotion, passion and artistry
that goes into it. Flamenco is a very complex art form as well, and the
knowledge that there is still so much to learn is endlessly motivating.
What are the challenges?
Like
any kind of dance, Flamenco can be physically challenging and a tough workout!
Also, the music can be complex, and learning to better understand the music and
work with musicians has been an exciting new challenge for me.
What are the rewards?
Improvement!
Hard work is the only way to improve, and every challenge has made me a better
dancer. The reward is also getting to perform and do what I love most.
What have been some
career highlights?
Sublime
(Feb, 2013) was an amazing show to be a part of, and an exciting new challenge
for me. The choreographies that Maria created spanned such a wide variety of
styles, and her vision inspired all of us. Also, the support I have received
from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust has been incredible, and has allowed me to
have the amazing experience of studying in Spain.
What is the show on the
30th about?
The
show on the 30th is going to be a great evening at the Seahorse with
Flamenco music and dance. It is a chance for people to come watch Flamenco in a
very authentic “Tablao” atmosphere. I will be dancing a variety of traditional
Flamenco styles, and there will be some instrumental pieces as well.
What are your future
goals with flamenco?
Right
now my goals are to keep training and improving as a dancer and performer. I am
also going to be pursuing a university degree in Hispanic studies, which ties
in nicely with my love of Flamenco and Spain!
What are your thoughts
on the state of flamenco in Halifax and Atlantic Canada?
Since
I became a part of the Flamenco community six years ago I have seen it grow and
expand in a very big way. Our Flamenco Festival has brought incredible artists
to Halifax, and the community is continuing to grow all the time. It is also
exciting to see how audiences in the city are supporting the Flamenco community
and being exposed to this unique art form.
What can we be doing
better?
As
a young dancer, I would love to see more young people getting involved in
Flamenco!
Francesca Nardi
Thursday,
May 30th, 7pm, Seahore Tavern, Halifax
http://www.mariaosende.com/events.html
