Conversations with Wendy Castellanos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Castellanos.

Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for having me! Let’s just start by saying that I am not supposed to be a professional dancer, let alone a professional Flamenco dancer. I mean, what even is that?! I am an immigrant kid from El Salvador whose parents worked very, very hard. Dance was supposed to be my hobby, a healthy activity and social life that kept me in school as many hours as possible and the motivation to get good grades. So when I told my parents that I got into UCLA and that I was going to major in World Arts and Cultures (a fancy name for Dance), they thought that I was crazy. At the time, I was insulted and annoyed at their constant badgering to change my major, but as an adult with perspective, I get it.

They come from a country and a time where the Arts as a viable career choice was really only an option for the wealthy who did not ever have to really make a living or for the extremely talented. I was neither, but what I lacked in finances and talent, I made up for in grit. I was going to be a dancer, and that was that.

I didn’t know what type of dancer I was going to be.

I had grown up dancing Ballet, lots of Jazz and Hip-Hop, some Modern dance, Salsa, and later Samba, but it wasn’t until I tried Flamenco that I finally found my calling. Flamenco is the hardest and most complex dance form I have ever encountered because as a Flamenco dancer, I understand that I am not just a dancer that can execute proper technique and beautiful movement. I am a musician who has had to learn a new physical and verbal language in order to communicate and improvise with the “cuadro” or the band. I am also an educator and propagator of a specific culture, lifestyle and history. It’s a lot!

But if you ask me what it is that I do, then the simple answer is that I am a Flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Choosing to make something obscure like Flamenco dance your life is not easy. First of all, people will confuse Flamenco with Belly dance, Tango, or Folklorico, so there is lots of explaining and dissolving of stereotypes involved. Then there is the existential crisis – “Why am I doing this it makes no sense!?”- especially when you train in Spain, like I have done, and you realize how naturally it comes to the dancers that have complete immersion year round. This self-doubt is later followed by a bit of imposter syndrome. The biggest challenge though has been getting out of my own way and trusting that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run Flamenco 805 out of Namba Performing Arts Space in Ventura. This is a Flamenco dance program and performance series for kids, teens and adults. My mission is to use Flamenco dance as a vehicle to teach girls and women to lead because in Flamenco, when they dance, everyone has to follow, to be heard because they are music and language in motion, to know deeply that feminine can also mean powerful, to understand that they are part of history and tradition.

What I am good at as a dance artist is teaching beginners how to dance and how to love dancing in their bodies. Flamenco dance can be very intimidating, but I make it accessible and fun while staying true to the form.

I am proud of creating a vibrant Flamenco community throughout the areas of the 805 where there were none. I have dancers from Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Ojai that I see weekly in class or at events. I teach every Wednesday with youth class taking place at 5pm, teen/adult beginners at 6pm and teen/adult intermediate at 7pm. I also teach private lessons out of my home studio.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Perseverance, sticking with it, putting in the time and the work, being a lifelong learner. I always say that I may not be the best dancer, but I am professional. Professional to me means that I am committed to the long-term goal. I continue to study in Spain or at workshops and festivals offered throughout the US whenever I can. Professional to me means that if I am hired for a project whether that is for the small stage, private or corporate events, Theater, Opera, or TV/Film, I will always be on time, prepared, and be a good team member. I am a professional Flamenco dancer, teacher and choreographer with over 20 years of experience and sometimes I still can’t believe how lucky I have been to be able to dance my way through life. I am grateful that I get to do what I love, and I bring that energy into the classroom, rehearsal room, and stage. Hope to see some of your readers in class or at a show!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flamenco805.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flamencafoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.castellanos.39/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHRhGPnUIY1jBJKwFrlOZMA
• Other: www.laflamenco.com

Image Credits
Timo Nuñez Nate Rega Fritz Olenberger