Founded in 2011 by Genevieve upon returning to her home town of Austin, the Austin Flamenco Academy has grown over the years to offer flamenco classes at all levels, to all ages, as well as special events like the Feria de Abril and exclusive workshops with visiting guest artists. Whether you're three years old or seventy-five, whether you're just looking to test the waters or want to dedicate yourself to this art form professionally, whether you're just looking for a fun event or want to study with some of the top artists in their field, Austin Flamenco Academy is the place for you!
genevieve - founder & Artistic Director
Originally from Austin, Texas, Genevieve Guinn began her dancing career in 1993 with Sylvia Keprta, responsible for igniting Genevieve's passion for Flamenco. After studying locally for 6 years, Genevieve moved to Spain where she studied with world renowned flamenco artists like Cristobal Reyes, Jose Maya, Alfonso Losa, and Maria Juncal. She performed regularly at respected tablaos in Madrid including Al-Andalus and Tablao Las Carboneras in Madrid and as a company member with “Compañía Maria Juncal". In 2003 she was chosen as an apprentice for the "Gitana Cortés Company" under the direction of Joaquín Cortés. In 2004 Genoveva was invited to teach in Taipei,Taiwan at the International Dance Conference. 2005 saw Genevieve perform as a soloist at Gitanerías in Mexico City.
Genevieve has performed as a soloist throughout the United States, Spain, and Mexico and shared the stage with artists such as "La Tati", “La Truco”, Carmela Greco, and Genara Cortes.
Genevieve was the Assistant Artistic Director for FlamencoAparicio Dance Company in Washington DC under the direction of Edwin Aparicio from 2006 through 2010. 2006 marked Genoveva's Broadway debut in New York City and in 2007 she was the choreographer for the GALA Hispanic Theatre’s highly praised production of Frederico Garcia Lorca’s "Bodas de Sangre", directed by the acclaimed Hugo Medrano. In 2009 Genevieve was an invited solo artist at the Ford Amphitheatre's "Forever Flamenco: LA Ole!" in Los Angeles and a featured performer at The Kennedy Center in DC.
In 2011 Genevieve moved back to Austin Texas and founded The Pink Flamenco Dance Studio, now Austin Flamenco Academy, providing classes to children, youth and adults. In 2014 she returned as a soloist to The Kennedy Center as well as performing in Fuego Flamenco X at Gala Hispanic Theater. Genevieve has most recently perfomed as a soloist at the Teatro Nacional Ruben Dario in Managua Nicaragua and with famous classical piano sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque in Naples Italy. Her passion is teaching adults and children about flamenco music and dance at her studio in Austin.
drea Pacot
Drea Pacot is a native Californian who has always had the love of dance in her heart. She holds the belief that dance, overall, is an expression of emotion. During her first years of study Drea studied ballet until her college years. While at UCDavis she began to explore contemporary dance performing with the university’s modern dance troupe as well as Nexxus Modern Dance Collective. In both troupes she choreographed numerous dances. It was during her senior year when Maria Benitez’s Flamenco group toured the campus. From there her focus in dance flipped and the journey into Flamenco began.
Over the twenty plus years of her journey in Flamenco Drea has studied with many artists, both in the U.S. and in Spain, from group classes, workshops and privates. But there are two significant women artists that particularly inspire her dancing. Those amazing women are Yaelisa, director of Caminos Flamencos (California) and Pilar Andujar (Austin). Other notable artists include Jose Galvan, Concha Vargas, Concha Jareno, Olga Piercet, Alonso Losa, and Vanessa Paloma.
In California Drea taught in Sacramento and Nevada City, CA. She received a grant from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission to showcase her students on the theater stage as well as invite prominent flamenco artists to the region. Along with flamenco guitarist Gopal Slavonic she formed the group Flamenco del Oro that performed throughout Northern California.
Drea moved to Austin in 2011 to attend the acupuncture school AOMA. She began working with Pilar Andujar and Genieveve Guinn, director of Flamenco Dance Academy. In 2018 Drea performed as a company dancer in Guinn’s production of Forasteros at the Long Center. Drea also performed in flamenco events as a soloist at Esquina Tango, Barlata and El Raval restaurants. Audience members enjoy her emotional expression and impromptu nature in a tablao setting.
Her mission is to bring joy, expression and depth of flamenco dance to blossoming students in flamenco.
Marinella Suriani
Marinella began training in Venezuela at the renowned Ballet Flamenco Siudy Quintero. She later began performing with their professional company under the artistic direction of Siudy Garrido choreographer and daughter of Siudy Quintero until 2002.
Marinella married in 2003 and took a big hiatus in her flamenco training and dance due to new experiences in life. In 2007, Marinella set foot in Spain for the first time to start absorbing flamenco from the real maestros: Merche Esmeralda, Antonio El Pipa, La Truco.
Later that year Marinella moved to Calgary, performing regularly with the Fiona Malena Flamenco Ensemble but mainly as palmas accompaniment, including at the University Theatre for productions such as “Tierra” (2007). She traveled to Seville, Spain in 2008 and studied with dancers such as Carmen Ledesma, Isabel Bayón, Rafael Campallo and Manuel Betanzos. Marinella moved to Scotland where she took time to explore different disciplines like hip hop, contemporary, and some ballet. In 2009 returned to Spain to learn from: Rafaela Carrasco, Concha Jareño, María Juncal, Alfonso Losa among others.
In 2012 Marinella moved back to Calgary where she then again got involved with the local flamenco community, continued to train and perform, but also allowed her to get involved with the organization of The Calgary International Flamenco Festival. This was an opportunity to learn about different media outlets, sponsors, artists, hotel bookings, ticket sales, transportation, workshops, among other things. Manuel Linan, Olga Pericet among others were part of the immensely talented lineup of artists CIFF was able to showcase the first three years of the festival Marinella helped to run.
In the year 2015 Marinella and family moved permanently to San Antonio, Texas. In June, Marinella attended The 28th Annual Flamenco Festival Albuquerque after a post pregnancy halt. This trip to New Mexico puts her in touch with Sonya Casillas, a renowned San Antonio’s flamenco dancer, whom she then continues her flamenco training with.
Dancer Ileana Gomez from Laredo, Texas moved to Austin in the 2016-2017, and Marinella began studying with her on a regular basis as she would come every week to teach in San Antonio. In the summer of 2017, Marinella went to Spain and took part in Veranos Flamenco at Amor de Dios. The following years Marinella continued dancing but less regularly. COVID also made it harder to go back to Flamenco. Five years later, Marinella continues to live in Texas, but this time she is here in Austin. She began taking lessons with Genevieve in fall of 2022. Earlier in 2023, Marinella began subbing at Magellan International School and in the Summer of 2023 officially began teaching Intro lessons at The Austin Flamenco Academy.
Chloe Brevelle - Guest Teacher
Chloe Brevelle began studying flamenco in 1996 with Teresa Romero Torkanowsky, while attending Loyola University in New Orleans. After graduating, she moved to New York City and continued her studies with La Meira, Victorio Korjhan, and Jose Molina at the legendary Fazil's Studio. In 2000, she moved back to New Orleans, where she began performing regularly around the city and the region with such companies as Olé Flamenco Olé, Micaela y Fiesta Flamenca, and Alianza Flamenca. In 2007, she traveled to Sevilla, Spain, and studied with such renowned artists as Manuela Reyes, Lola Jamarillo, and Alejandro Granados.
For two summers, Chloe has been a guest instructor for the Lake Charles Civic Ballet Summer Intensive program, giving ballet students an introduction to flamenco. She also choreographed several pieces for their annual spring performance. Living in Paige, Texas, she has continued teaching flamenco dance, as well as performing with such Austin groups as The Spirit of Flamenco, Flamenko 909, Flamencura, Pilar Andujar y su Compañia, and The Pink Flamenco Studio Company.