KATI La Mariposa, dancer
Kati began her training in music and theater at an early age and
already as a teenager had performed as a soloist in dozens of
productions and recitals. After graduating from university, she began
to dedicate her artistic energies solely to dance, training studiously
in ballet and modern dance. Her interest in injury recovery inspired
her to investigate various mind-body recovery and strengthening
training techniques. Kati discovered flamenco in Boston with Omayra
Amaya. During that time, she also studied with La Meira and La Conja
in New York and participated in the Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque.
In 1999, she moved to Spain in order to study in the cuña del
flamenco of Andalucia. She has studied extensively with Manolo
Marin, Juana Amaya, and in the academy of Antonio El Pipa, which
she was chosen to represent in a television spot. She has also studied
with Eva La Yerbabuena, Alicia Marquez, Alejandro Granados,
Adela Campallo, and Rafael Campallo. Kati is a popular teacher due to
her rare combination of approachability and unwavering demand for each
student's best effort. Her wide variety of teaching experience allows
her facility in explaining new concepts and corrections as well as
preparing appropriate classes that cater to students' needs. She has
been invited as a guest instructor at various universities, dance
programs, and academies in the Boston area. In 2007, she organized a
successful performance of dance and guitar students working and
learning together. Kati has performed in various private functions and
events in the provinces of Seville and Cadiz as well as worked giving
palmas to flamenco groups and professional classes. In 2002, she began
to teach flamenco technique classes in Seville and Boston using
exercises personally designed for adult students and incorporating
concepts from yoga, Pilates, Alexander, and modern dance. She
currently studies in Jerez de la Frontera, the home of bulerias
where she will return to work in tablaos and prepare to compete
regionally and nationally.
