JULIA CHACON began dancing at the age of three. At age 12 she began Spanish dance under Lydia Torea, and later studied under Eva Encinias Sandoval at the University of New Mexico and Omayra Amaya in Boston, MA. After graduating magna cum laude, she moved to Madrid to train at Amor de Dios where she was mentored by el Ciro and studied with Belen Maya, Rafaela Carrasco and Manuel Reyes.
Upon her return to the USA she joined Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco in Santa Fe, and later toured extensively with Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo. Julia was a member of José Galván’s Cuadro in Seville, has performed at the Peña Torres Macarena, and other venues throughout Seville, in Huelva, and Galicia. She has shared the stage with José Méndez, Carmen Ledesma, Inmaculada Ortega, Andres Peña, Antonio Rey, Miguel Rojas, Jesus de Utrera, Tudela, Chabuca and others.
In 2008 Julia founded Inspiración Flamenca
Founded in Santa Fe, NM, Inspiración Flamenca moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2013. Since then, Julia has produced six concerts at Scottsdale and Peoria performing arts centers, playing to full-house audiences.
In 2015, guitarist Kristofer Hill presented alongside Julia at TEDx LSU in Baton Rouge, where they were guest teachers. In 2016 Chacón was invited to co-present Tomatito at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Arizona.
Flamenco Education
Julia has taught nationally in private studios and art-education programs. She has written six Spanish Dance curriculums implemented in New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Arizona schools. She was a featured guest presenter at the National Dance Education Organization Conference in 2010 (Tempe, USA) and she has touched the lives of thousands of children through classes, lecture demonstrations, and curriculum development.
Building a Flamenco Community in Arizona
Since moving to Arizona in 2013, she has served on the Advisory Committee of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Discovery Series (2014-2015 season); chaired Origination, a Festival of Native Cultures; presented six full-house concerts at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Peoria Center for the Performing Arts; volunteers for the City of Scottsdale; teaches arts-education workshops in schools Valley-wide; and has collaborated with Scorpius Dance Theater, Indo-American Culture Connect, Movement Source, and other Arizona dance companies.
(Updated October, 2017.)
