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Meet the Director
Ms. Patricia Astorga, a California native and artistic director/choreographer for the theatrical dance company “Sabor Mexico,” is a passionate, versatile, respected dance professional. Her career showcases a unique dedication to preserving the rich and vibrant art of theatrical Mexican folk dance and Spanish flamenco.
She began her dance training at the age of seven, at the Escuela de Ballet Folklorico de Bellas Artes under the direction of Amalia Hernandez. She studied under folklorico masters such as Rafael Zamarripa Castaneda and at La Escuela de Danza Mizoc. An accomplished dancer in her own right, Ms. Astorga has performed with a variety of dance companies throughout the nation. Most notably she was a founding member, as well as a principal soloist, of the Pacifico Dance Company (formerly Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico). During her tenure with the Pacifico Dance Company, she was privileged to share the stage with “Mariachi Sol de Mexico.”
Throughout her artistic career, Ms. Astorga has undertaken various dance disciplines including classical ballet, tap, modern dance and her passion, flamenco. As a flamenco dancer she has appeared professionally at the famous El Cid Flamenco Tablao in Los Angeles, in Forever Flamenco at the Fountain Theater (Los Angeles), in the Flamenco Sensual production with Esther Ponce, in the Grand Opening of the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and in the Jennifer Lopez video “Ain't it Funny.¨ She has studied extensively in Spain with Flamenco masters such as Antonio Granjero, Juana Amaya, Alicia Marquez, Ursula Lopez, Maria Serrano, Angel Munoz and Domingo Ortega. In addition, she has studied with Roberto Amaral and ¨Angelita” in Los Angeles.
She is currently in the process of building her own Flamenco dance company, “La Escencia Flamenca”, a collaborative fusion involving musicians from Texas to California.
Fans of Ms Astorga´s theatrical style of Mexican folklorico adore it because it is beautiful, challenging, and thought provoking. Her intention in creating a stylized folklorico dance company in Houston is to give dancers the opportunity to learn and study this rigorous, theatrical style of Mexican folk dance. Her desire is to share the mesmerizing and thrilling experience of this passionate art with the audience, and to bring to both the audience and performers this expression of “ Las Raices de Mexico”. As a result of her ongoing efforts, she has developed a wonderful collaborative relationship with the Mexican Consulate in Houston and The Museum of Fine Arts. Also, she was selected to become a member of the prestigious Houston Cultural Arts Council. She has accepted these opportunities with honor and pride.
Ms Astorga recognizes that there is no better way of honoring her late beloved teacher, mentor and choreographer Amalia Hernandez, than by continuing to teach her philosophy, choreographies and special way of looking at Mexico. Amalia was a legendary artist whose creativity and talent added so much to the cultural understanding of Mexico and provided a theatrical, beautiful experience of “Su Mexico”.
Since her arrival in February 2005, Ms. Astorga’s Theatrical Dance Company “Sabor Mexico¨, has performed at the most coveted theaters in Houston, including The Hobby Center (Zilka Hall), Verizon Wireless Theater, and Houston’s Museums. In March 2006, she participated as an independent choreographer for “Dance Houston’s” choreographer showcase and the Mariachi Invitational.
¨Sabor Mexico¨ has future shows scheduled at the Hobby Center, Miller Theatre as well as a tour to Canada. For more information please visit; www.patricia-astorga.com