About Us
SonDeBaril is an expression of our history,
the space we inhabit, and the unified path
we walk together. Journey with us!
Ela Razon
Flamenco Dancer and Choreographer
Ela Razon, full name Pamela Razon de Ocampo, began training in modern dance at the age of 10 in her native Manila, Philippines. She became fascinated with rhythms in her early teens, when she first encountered indigenous tribes, and soon after, witnessed their dance and culture in the northern mountains of the Philippines.
She was later drawn to flamenco upon discovering the art form’s driving rhythms, which sparked the same primal energy that stirred within her in the presence of indigenous people.
Ela moved to the U.S. in 2003, and has since studied and performed extensively with the Arte Flamenco Company under the direction of Natalia Monteleon, where she became company soloist in 2005. She joined the Flamenco Aparicio Company in 2007 and performed in many of Edwin Aparicio’s acclaimed works. Ela also quickly adapted to the unpredictable environment of the tablao, experimenting with new ideas and improvising on stage as a regular performer in the weekly tablao circuit all over Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for over 15 years. Since 2012, she has consistently trained with renowned artist, Mercedes Ruiz, from Jerez, Spain.
In 2016, Ela sought to get close to the art form’s roots and immerse herself in its current pulse by spending time in Seville, Spain. During that period, she learned from masters Juana Amaya, Carmen Ledesma, El Oruco, Miguel El Rubio, and Cristina Hall, enhancing her technique and sensitivity. The experience birthed Ela’s original production, “Dos Almas”, an exploration towards greater freedom, in collaboration with dancer Anna Menendez, guitarist Ricardo Marlow, and singer/percussionist Yiyi Orozco at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. in 2019.
Ela is based in D.C. currently focused on the creative, collaborative, and performance aspects of dance. She has taught flamenco classes at the Arte Flamenco Studio and at The Washington Ballet’s summer intensive program. She also works with Ziva’s Spanish Dance Ensemble and the Washington Performing Arts on various projects, including giving performances to young audiences at schools in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Ela is presently exploring new work and hopes to contribute to the growth of the art form. She continues to enjoy each moment unfolding, and is dedicated to expressing what is unspoken.
Francisco “Yiyi” Orozco
Musical Director, Singer, and Percussionist
Francisco “Yiyi” Orozco is from an Andalusian family, born in Barcelona, and was introduced to Flamenco rhythms at the tender age of four. Yiyi was trained by his father, Flamenco singer “Joselón de Jerez”, in his Spanish peña named “Peña Fosforito”. Considered a child prodigy of percussion Yiyi began his professional career at the age of twelve. By 17 years of age and one CD later, he became more involved with singing, particularly for dancers, and left Spain for Germany on a long-term contract with the company “Flamenco Rubio”. Since that time he has performed throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and the United States. Critics worldwide have praised Yiyi’s performance as “fiery”, “riveting”, his percussion technique executed with “machine-gun speed” that possesses and “casts a spell”.
Guest Artists
Ricardo Marlow
Guitarist
Ricardo Marlow is one of the most sought after solo Flamenco guitarists and Flamenco accompanists in the United States. His brilliant technique, lyrical compositions, and masterful interpretations of Flamenco are unsurpassed. As a young child, Ricardo was introduced to the guitar by his father, the eminent classical guitarist John E. Marlow. He went on to receive a degree from the James Madison University’s School of Music in 1997. Ricardo subsequently took up the flamenco guitar and studied with master, Gerardo Núñez, in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, and continues to do so yearly since 1999. He has played professionally since 1997 with the Arte Flamenco Dance Company, the Danza del Rio Dance Company, the Paco de Malaga and Anna Martinez Dance Company, and the Flamenco Aparicio Company. Ricardo has had the honor and pleasure of accompanying international flamenco artists, including world renowned cantaora, Esperanza Fernandez, all over the United States.
Edwin Aparicio
Dancer and Choreographer
Edwin Aparicio trained with renowned flamenco artists Tomás de Madrid and “La Tati. Mr. Aparicio performed with the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, including its most recent production of Carmen (2015); the Washington Ballet in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (2013); has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the José Greco Spanish Dance Company, and shared the stage with such celebrated artists as Carmela Greco, Pastora Galván, “La Tati”, and José Luis Rodríguez.
Mr. Aparicio is the artistic director and choreographer of eleven acclaimed productions, including Íntimo with Carmela Greco, which premiered at GALA Theatre in Washington, DC, and then toured to Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Portland, OR; and Entresueño, which marked his New York City debut as a company director. He is a co-founder and curator of GALA’s annual Fuego Flamenco Festival and is on the faculty of the Washington School of Ballet.
Mr. Aparicio was named one of “25 Dancers to Watch” by Dance Magazine in 2009; received a Protagonista Award from GALA for his artistic achievements in the Latino community; and received the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit bestowed by King Felipe VI of Spain.
Antonio Arrebola
Dancer and Choreographer
Antonio Arrebola was born in Málaga in 1981 and began dancing at the age of eight. He began his dance studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Danza in Málaga, where he was trained in flamenco, balle clásico and clásico español and studied with Susana Lupiañez, Ricardo Caña, and Valentina Letova. Antonio has been dancing professionally since the age of fifteen. He has danced in many prominent tablaos in Andalucia, such as the Christina Hoyos Flamenco Museum and many more. Antonio has also been recognized on the international scene, elating audiences in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Italy, Morocco, Canada, the United States and Japan. He also worked with the Maria Serrano Company in the show Flamentango in Canada, and, in addition, has toured in Europe with his own company. He has headlined the Dallas Flamenco Festival since 2010 and was featured in the Dallas Flamenco Festival and Ochre House's productions of Perro y Sangre, El Conde Drácula, Buñuel Descending, and Picasso: Matador de Málaga, La Muerte de Don Quixote and Señor Barber. Antonio is the Founder and Teacher of Flamenco DNA, Choreographer for Fiesta Flamenca, Choregrapher and Chef for Cocina Flamenca - Dallas & Spain and Flamenca LIVE 2024, Choreographer for FlamenconBlack.org, Dallas’ Fiesta Flamenco and Yemaya Flamenco, and Resident Choreographer for the Flame Foundation.
Anna Menendez
Dancer and Choreographer
Anna Menendez is a Flamenco dancer and choreographer based in Washington, DC. Anna received the Artistic Fellowship Award from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for excellence in Flamenco dance in 2003. Anna Menendez has performed in many operas and with the “La Truco Flamenco” dance company in Spain, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and with renowned flamenco artist Carmela Greco. Anna has appeared as a regular featured dancer and soloist in many of Flamenco Aparicio’s productions at the Gala Hispanic Theater. In October 2011, Anna and her company “Pastora” performed as a part of Velocity at the Sydney Harman Hall in Washington, DC. A review by the Washington Post described her performance as “virtuosic.” Most recently Anna has performed as a soloist in the production “Amores Quebrados” in New York City and Bucharest, Romania as well as in Flamenco Aparicio’s production “Intimo” in Managua, Nicaragua.
Anna currently is a faculty member, teaching dance at Lincoln Middle School and Flamenco at Seber Method Academy.
Jose Moreno
Dancer, Percussionist, Guitarist, Singer
Born into a family of famous flamenco artists Estrella Morena (dancer) and Pepe de Málaga (singer), Jose began his flamenco career during his childhood years. His debut was at the famous Tablao flamenco “Costa Vasca”. Jose continued his studies with the Great Manolete, Farruquito, and Andres Marin and Cajon Percussion with Manuel Soler. Jose has been invited to perform in various companies around the world, and with distinguished artists such as: The Great Manolete, Joaquin Ruiz, Pastora Galvan, Antonio Rey, Jose Cortes “Pansequito”, Jose Luis Rodriquez, Roberto Castellon, Pedro Cortes, Jose Valle “Chuscales”, Juanito Pascual, Basilio Garcia, Paco Heredia, Carmen Ledesma, Jesus Montoya, Zorongo Flamenco Dance, Flamenco Vivo Dance Company, La Tania, Miguel Vargas, Nelida Tirado, Antonio Hidalgo, Curro Cueto, Gonzalo Grau, Edwin Aparicio, Amparo Heredia, Raquel Heredia, Adrian Galia, Antonio Granjero, Angel Muñoz, Charo Espino, Belen Maya, Omayra Amaya, La Lupi, Curro de Maria, Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez and many other outstanding performers.
In 2001, Jose choreographed and performed a collaborative work with his mother Estrella Morena, and with renowned flamenco singer Carmen Linares with the New World Symphony Orquestra at Lincoln Theater. In 2004, he choreographed works and performed with the Boston Flamenco Ballet. In 2007, Jose performed with the internationally known Isabel Pantoja, and with David Bisbal in “Premios lo Nuestro”. In 2010, he performed in the 7th annual Panama Jazz Festival, and that same year at the prestigious “Carnegie Hall” in New York City. In 2013 in “Zorro” The Musical at the Alliance Theatre, at BAM theatre in New York City with Flamenco Vivo Dance Company, in 2015 the TV series called “Los Descendientes de Andalucia” produced by Canal Sur in Seville, Spain, at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the 2015-2016 season of “Carmen” at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for the Washington National Opera, The NYC Winter Jazzfest in 2017 and at “The Jazz Standard” in NYC with Chano Dominguez, the 2014-2019 season of “Carmen” at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, 2021-2022, and Ensemble Español “Passion Flamenca” North Shore Performing Arts Center in Chicago.
Yolit Yospe-Kachlon
Dancer and Teacher
Yolit Yospe-Kachlon was born and raised in Israel and fell in love with dancing as a child. She studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and other genres and discovered flamenco as a teenager while attending art school.
After many years of study with master flamenco teachers in Israel including Carmel Nathan-Shelly, Timo Lozano and others, she began her performance career in her home country.
Upon arriving in the US in 2004, Yolit began working as a lead preschool teacher. She also continued dancing, studying with Edwin Aparico and Anna Menendez and dancing in their companies, performing at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, Shakespeare Theater Company, Public Playhouse Theater, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Dance Place, Gala Hispanic Theater, Tablaos and various festivals.
In addition, Yolit had the privilege to attend workshops in both the US and Spain with some of the most world renown Flamenco Maestros, such as Manolo Marin, "La Truco", Marco Flores, Manuel Liñán, Maria Juncal, Alfonso Losa, Mercedes Ruiz and Olga Pericet among others.
Yolit led the youth and adult flamenco program at American Dance Institute, and CityDance School of Dance.
In 2015, she established her own performance company, Alma Flamenca. The company has weekly classes and rehearsals with original repertoire.
In January of 2022, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened Alma Dance Studio where she leads classes, workshops, rehearsals, and showcases and other events. The studio offers a variety of dance and movement classes for children and adults.
Yolit lives in Rockville, MD with her husband and 3 daughters who share the love for the performing arts, just like their mother.