Carolina "la Candela" Esparza
Carolina Esparza "La Candela" has been a professional Flamenco Dancer in the Tampa Bay Community since the age of 16. It all started after training at the age of 6 in the summers of her family's hometown of Seville, Spain with Pepe Moreno, and with Directors here at age 14 with Gisela Sotomayor and Oscar Trevino. Under both directors from 1989-2001, she performed with Ballet Folklorico of Ybor at the Tampa Theatre, Centro Asturiano, and Performing Arts Center doing Classical Spanish, Flamenco, and other dances inluding Italian, Cuban, and Mexican Folklore. Being the youngest member in the productions would have been intimidating for some, but in this case her natural charm on stage caught the eye of violinist, entrepreneur, and restaurant owner Cesar Gonzmart, and since 1991 she performed for 17 years at the famous Columbia Restaurant as a soloist and choreographer. Working there gave her the exposure and opportunities to work with other dance companies and take extensive workshops from artists Jesus Cano(Bailaor known for touring with Lola Flores), Luisita Sevilla, Omayra Amaya, and Rosa Mercedes. Special events during these years include
1. South American Beer commercial filmed in Ybor
2. Tampa Rays vs. NY Yankees Baseball opening show at Tropicana Fields
3. History film at the Ybor City Museum
4. UT Food and Wine Festival
5. Twice at Governor's event in Tallahassee
6. Internation show at Epcot Orlando
7. ABC News feature of Flamenco career from childhood to present
8. Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival
9. Help a Child Gala 2008
10. Make a Wish Foundation Gala
11. 20th Century Fox production pilot casted as "spanish dancer"
At the time of these studies and performances, she traveled several times to Spain for the cultural festivals, pilgimages, and the infamous Biennal Flamenco Festivals which are necessary in knowing Flamenco in every way. In teaching Carolina worked as substitute Flamenco instructor at Frank Rey Dance School and assisted in choreography in the Flamenco department for certain recitals from 2003-2007. And since 2006, she became the Flamenco Instructor for Simone Salsa Dance School doing workshops and private classes .
Carolina's performances expanded in 2005 with Duende Ballet Espanol, a Flamenco company founded and directed by Rosa Mercedes based out of Miami. Carolina was selected to join for the participation of a few projects including the Flamenco number at "Premio Lo Nuestro" in 2005 alongside David Bisbal which aired internationally around the world at the Univision Award stage. And, the special Fusion Flamenco/Japanese show "Kaminarimon" with 8 musicians including Taiko drummers, Flamenco singers, guitartists, and 4 dancers which was a collaboration with composer Kauffman at the FIU theatre.
Locally, Carolina has been performing with Flamenco band Sombras Flamencas where she is first dancer and choreographer of their shows at both Ceviche's Tapas and Bar, and Spain Restaurant. Carolina's performances have gained a reputation by both Flamenco afficionados and Flamenco artists of giving "ethereal dancing" with "percussion-like footwork" and "intense presence and duende.
Reviews and Features include:
Tampa Bay Magazine
AAA Magazine
Travel & Leisure
USF Oracle
Tampa Tribune
St.Petersburg Times
Northeast Journal
Creative Loafing
Reax Music Magazine
In 2008, Carolina founded Candela Flamenco Dance Company with professionally trained dancers in the hopes that people would appeciate the beauty, variety, and traditional artform of Flamenco. Candela Flamenco continues to book shows and workshops in the Tampa Bay Area.
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