"Dance can only enhance one's body and spirit. I find that without dance, my spirit is less lively and my appetite for living not as vibrant. However, after a rehearsal, class or performance, life takes on a different hue and is always very bright." -- Andrea Del Conte
Friends and colleagues of Andrea Del Conte--award-winning flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher--are mourning her death from cancer, yesterday, June 16. Her service will be held this Friday, June 19, at 10:30am at St. Stephen's Church, 151 East 28th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues), Manhattan.
Del Conte was an internationally recognized performer, choreographer and teacher. Born in Rochester, New York, she began studying classical ballet at the age of four. English choreographer, Anton Dolin, “discovered” her at a performance of the Nutcracker (Eastman School of Music Theater) where she danced the Spanish Chocolate variation. He strongly encouraged her to pursue Spanish dance. Ms. Del Conte began her studies in Spain soon after in Madrid. Her early training was with Paco Fernandez and Carmen Mora in Madrid and Mariquita Flores and Estrella Morena in New York City.
Ms. Del Conte performed with the companies of Maria Alba, Estrella Morena and the New York City Opera. In l975 she created her own one-woman show which she performed at Repertorio Espanol (NYC). It was this program that set her apart as a solo performer and impeccable narrator.
Over the past 30 years, Ms. Del Conte spent an extensive amount of time living and studying in Spain. Besides directing and choreographing for her company, she taught in New York City at Lotus Music & Dance Studios and was recognized as one of New York City’s most important flamenco teachers. Her teaching was based on giving students a solid background in technique and structure of the dance form. She received Attitude Magazine's Ethnic Dance Award for 1996 and the 1997 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Award for excellence in teaching. Ms. Del Conte received the 2004 ACE Outstanding Life Achievement Award for a Career in Dance and was on the dance faculty of Long Island University, Manhattanville College, Penn State University, Beaufort, South Carolina Arts Residency Program and guest teacher for the Nevada Ballet and Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas.
Friends and colleagues of Andrea Del Conte--award-winning flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher--are mourning her death from cancer, yesterday, June 16. Her service will be held this Friday, June 19, at 10:30am at St. Stephen's Church, 151 East 28th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues), Manhattan.
Del Conte was an internationally recognized performer, choreographer and teacher. Born in Rochester, New York, she began studying classical ballet at the age of four. English choreographer, Anton Dolin, “discovered” her at a performance of the Nutcracker (Eastman School of Music Theater) where she danced the Spanish Chocolate variation. He strongly encouraged her to pursue Spanish dance. Ms. Del Conte began her studies in Spain soon after in Madrid. Her early training was with Paco Fernandez and Carmen Mora in Madrid and Mariquita Flores and Estrella Morena in New York City.
Ms. Del Conte performed with the companies of Maria Alba, Estrella Morena and the New York City Opera. In l975 she created her own one-woman show which she performed at Repertorio Espanol (NYC). It was this program that set her apart as a solo performer and impeccable narrator.
Over the past 30 years, Ms. Del Conte spent an extensive amount of time living and studying in Spain. Besides directing and choreographing for her company, she taught in New York City at Lotus Music & Dance Studios and was recognized as one of New York City’s most important flamenco teachers. Her teaching was based on giving students a solid background in technique and structure of the dance form. She received Attitude Magazine's Ethnic Dance Award for 1996 and the 1997 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Award for excellence in teaching. Ms. Del Conte received the 2004 ACE Outstanding Life Achievement Award for a Career in Dance and was on the dance faculty of Long Island University, Manhattanville College, Penn State University, Beaufort, South Carolina Arts Residency Program and guest teacher for the Nevada Ballet and Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas.
I just found out last night. I was in shock. I had been out of touch with her for a couple of years, had not known she had cancer. What a bright light has gone out. Wow. Amazing lady.
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