Artists Bios:

Edwin Aparicio began his dance career at the age of seventeen in Washington DC and has subsequently studied flamenco in Spain with La Tati and Tomás de Madrid. In 2001, Mr. Aparicio made his flamenco debut at the legendary Casa Patas in Madrid. Mr. Aparicio toured the United States with Reynaldo Rincón's "Romería Flamenca", and has been a featured soloist, guest speaker and instructor at the Chicago Flamenco Festival.

Since 2002, Mr. Aparicio has taught master classes throughout the U.S., including such renowned events as Flamenco in the Sun in Miami. Mr. Aparicio is the artistic director and choreographer of Encuentros, of the collaboration Bailes Inéditos, and of a nationally acclaimed production Intimo (in collaboration with Carmela Greco), with performances in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

Anna Menendez Anna Menendez, originally from Baltimore, Maryland is a Flamenco Dancer based out of Washington, D.C.. She has danced on many local and national stages. Anna has appeared in Edwin Aparicio’s productions of "Bailes Ineditos", "Encuentros", "Camino al Flamenco","Entresuenos", "Dos Mundos" and "Intimo" with Carmela Greco. Anna has performed in over 50 children’s concerts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). In 2003, ’04 and ’05 the BSO contracted her to perform in their prime time "Symphony with a Twist" series. In 2003 and 2004 she performed with renowned classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco and in ’05 choreographed Falla’s "El Amor Brujo" which she presented with a company of dancers with the BSO for sold out performances at the Strathmore and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. In October 2008 Anna appeared in "Espejos" which was presented at the Jack Morton Auditorium of the George Washington University and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. In "Espejos" she collaborated with Spanish tenor Israel Lozano and guitarist Salva de Maria of "Noche Flamenca".

Bárbara Martínez has been a key member of the flamenco scene in New York City for ten years, first as a dancer and later on focusing more on cante. Born in Venezuela to a family of artists, including singers/actresses Libertad Lamarque and Morenita Rey, she spent her youth performing in opera, off-Broadway and film in New York. She performs with Pasión y Arte Flamenco Company, The Oscar Valero Company, Arts Flamenco, Andrea del Conte Danza España, Spirit of Sepharad and The Metropolitan Opera. Bárbara is currently working on a new project involving an eclectic new repertoire and recording that combine flamenco, jazz and Brazilian music. Bárbara is an Honors graduate of Brown University.

Richard Marlow is the most sought after flamenco guitarist in the Washington, DC area. His credits include performances at The Kennedy Center, The Kay Theater at The University of Maryland, and Wolftrap. He has been a featured soloist on the John E. Marlow guitar series and is a published artist of Rumbas Flamenca, a style of Spanish guitar music.

Behzad Habibzai was born in 1983 in Hamburg, Germany. His family originates from Kabul, Afghanistan. Originally a drummer, classically trained percussionist, and self-taught composer, Mr. Habibzai began playing flamenco guitar at the age of 14. He began playing the cajon four years later. Mr. Habibzai has performed in numerous shows, such as Edwin Aparicio’s Camino al/Flamenco, Anna Menendez’ Pastora: Pena Flamenca I & II, Bailes Ineditos (Aparicio/Menendez), and more recently Aparicio’s Selected Works. Behzad can be heard playing cajon and percussion on Don Soledad’s debut album Camino de Seda.

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