Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre was founded in 1982 in Minneapolis by Artistic Director Susana di Palma. The company is one of the few American Spanish dance companies that presents both traditional flamenco programs and original theater flamenco works. The ensemble comprises dancers and musicians renowned for bringing the power, passion, and virtuosity of flamenco to American audiences.

The school offers flamenco classes taught by accomplished artists. Teachers include Susana di Palma, who studied Spanish dance and flamenco since childhood and trained with maestros including Ciro, Manolo Marin, Manolete, Carmen Mora, and Merche Esmeralda; Deborah Elias, the Resident Artistic Director and a flamenco dancer and creator who founded the Coro Flamenco Street Choir; Colette Illarde, who trained extensively in Madrid with leading flamenco artists and directs the Zorongo Student Performance Company (ZSPC); Molly Kay Stoltz, a performer and choreographer who specializes in rhythmic and percussive dance; Ross Fellrath, a flamenco guitarist from Minneapolis who has studied in Jerez de la Frontera, Sevilla and Madrid; Rachel Holmes Fargione, who was selected for Jacob's Pillow Flamenco and Spanish Dance Program and the first cohort of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana's Artist Development Program; and Christine Kozachok, a Minneapolis-based dancer with more than 30 years of experience.

The studio space measures 1,224 square feet (34′ x 36′) and features a wood sprung floor, available for rental. Zorongo's mission is to create and perform bold, socially relevant flamenco works that reflect and respond to the world around us, supporting and developing the artists who bring them to life and cultivating community through education and outreach.

Beyond classes, Zorongo produces theatrical flamenco works and regular performances. Susana di Palma has created over thirty full-length theater pieces presented at venues including New York's Joyce Theater, Miami's Florida Dance Festival, St. Paul's O'Shaughnessy Theater, and the Walker Art Center. She choreographed Lorca's Blood Wedding for the Guthrie Theater, and her work Lorca's Women won the Sage Award for Most Outstanding Choreography. Recent productions include Flamenco Íntimo, an intimate tablao-style performance, and community performances at venues like the Lake Harriet Bandshell and the Minnesota State Fair. The company has also hosted workshops, dinner performances, and collaborative events featuring guest artists.

Classes are taught by experienced flamenco artists with training in Spain and performance histories with prestigious venues. Colette Illarde teaches Flamenco for All Abilities, welcoming dancers with and without disabilities. The studio has a wood sprung floor suitable for the demands of flamenco technique.

Seven instructors teach at Zorongo, all working flamenco professionals. Susana di Palma, founder and Advising Artistic Director, trained with maestros in Spain and has created over thirty theater pieces. Deborah Elias is Resident Artistic Director and founded the Coro Flamenco Street Choir. Colette Illarde, a McKnight Fellowship recipient, directs the Zorongo Student Performance Company and teaches Flamenco for All Abilities. Molly Kay Stoltz specializes in rhythmic and percussive dance and performs with Zorongo and Joe Chvala's Flying Foot Forum. Ross Fellrath is a traditional flamenco guitarist who studied in Jerez de la Frontera, Sevilla, and Madrid. Rachel Holmes Fargione trained at Jacob's Pillow and participated in Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana's Artist Development Program. Christine Kozachok has studied for more than 30 years with annual trips to Spain.

Colette Illarde teaches Flamenco for All Abilities, inviting dancers with and without disabilities to experience the art form's curative power.