Sylvia Melecio

Sylvia has been studying Flamenco at Joy of Motion with Estela Velez, director and choreographer of Furia Flamenca, a Joy of Motion resident company.  Sylvia co-founded Furia Flamenca with Ms. Velez, assists in the company as Rehearsal Mistress, and has been performing Flamenco with Furia Flamenca since its creation.  She has also studied locally with Ana Martinez, Nancy Sedwick and Ziva Cohen; trained with recognized Flamenco Masters Antonio Santaella, Antonio Vargas and La Farruca and, in Seville, Spain, with new Flamenco figure Manuel Betanzos.  Sylvia regularly attends the International Flamenco Festivals of the National Institute of Flamenco where she has studied with Flamenco figures such as Joaquin Grilo, Pastora Galvan, Israel Galvan, Mercedes Amaya, Marisol Encinias, and Joaquin Encinias.  Sylvia’s background is in ballet, which she studied in Puerto Rico with Judith Marzán at the Academia de Baile Zaida Varas, where she also studied Spanish Dance and Folk Dances from Spain, Mexico and Argentina.  While in Puerto Rico, she performed in various venues with Ballet de Zaida Varas and worked as Assistant Teacher for Ms. Marzan and Dame Zaida Varas.