FIONA MALENA – FLAMENCO DANCER 

An International performing artist based in Berlin, Germany, Fiona Malena has toured with her ensemble and as a guest artist worldwide; including to countries such as Israel, Ecuador, Canada, Spain, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom. She has collaborated on stage with many elite Flamenco artists, most recently with dancer Karen Lugo for the production “Arbolé.” Fiona received her training and formation during her many years living in Southern Spain under the mentorship of Farruquito and Concha Vargas, among others. Currently Fiona is involved in a dance/creation research project in Wadi Rum, Jordan and occasionally tours with the Sevilla based ensemble “Oscar Guzmán.” Born and raised in Calgary, Fiona is thrilled to be back performing in her home town this summer.

ANASTASSIIA ALEXANDER – FLAMENCO DANCER 

Anastassiia Alexander is a Russian-born, Mexican flamenco dancer trained in Madrid, Spain. A versatile dancer,  Anastassiia has performed in productions varying from contemporary to traditional flamenco tablaos in Canada and Mexico, including: Calgary International Flamenco Festival (Calgary), Victoria Flamenco Festival (Victoria), Fluid Festival (Calgary), Ibérica Contemporánea (Queretaro), Encuentro Internacional Al Andalus en Mexico (Mexico city), and numerous traditional tablaos in Mexico city and flamenco performances in Calgary, Canada. In September of 2020, Anastassiia was an artist-in-residence at the Good Women Dance Collective (Edmonton). Recently, she was invited to present a solo show The Machinations of Memories Suppressed at the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival 2022. After moving back to Calgary in March 2023, Anastassiia has been actively engaged in performances with HYMMMelodies world music band and her own monthly shows at the Romero Distilling Co. 

Joining the dancers on stage will be FLAMENCO GUITARIST MICHAEL BOYLE, who has been performing Flamenco guitar in and around the Calgary region for over 40 years.