Estela Velez

Estela Velez, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, trained intensively with world-renowned Maestro Antonio Santaella. She has also trained with recognized Spanish figures La Farruca, La Tati, Omayra Amaya, Mercedes Amaya, Joaquin Grilo, Vero "La India" Pastora Galvan, Israel Galvan, Belen Fernandez, and Cristobal Reyes. She has trained locally with Ana Martinez, Jaime Coronado, and Ziva Cohen. In addition, she has studied with other noted flamenco figures such as Joaquin Encinias at the Flamenco Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Antonio Vargas. She has a background in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and belly dance.

She has been performing flamenco in the Washington DC area since 1998.
In 2001, Ms. Velez was invited to perform with Ballet Antonio Santaella in a production of "Julia en Flamenco" at El Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has been noted for her elegance and vitality. "Certain performers clearly stood out. One was Estela Velez . . . She delivered a strong, graceful performance to a haunting piece of Flamenco and Native American fusion music." In a 2002 review in the Washington Post, Ms. Velez was described as "a stunning performer with a gaze that enraptured." Her energy and passion were noted in a 2007 review in the Washington Post:"from the first click of her heel, Velez danced with authority and enthusiasm." Ms. Velez is recognized for her style which combines the traditional gypsy with a modern touch, and for her strong technical delivery.

Ms. Velez has performed in many venues, including the Kennedy Center, the Jack Guidone Theater, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Dance Place, Publick Playhouse, and Alden Theatre. She has appeared in festivals and showcases throughout the DC metro area, such as First Night Annapolis, Artscape, Magical Montgomery, and Creative Dimensions. She has also performed in flamenco demonstrations for District of Columbia and Montgomery County public schools, and with the DARE Dancers Program.

In 2003 she founded the flamenco dance company Furia Flamenca of which she is the Artistic Director and Choreographer. She is the founder of the flamenco program at the Center for Ballet Arts in Fairfax.


Director, Furia Flamenca