Leticia Aravena & Phaedra Darwish

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

LETICIA ARAVENA was born in Cordoba, Argentina. She started studying ballet, tap and flamenco at age 11 at the Escuela Integral de la Danza, under the direction of Graciela E. Perez de Ceva. She became an apprentice to the Ensemble Espanol in 2006, and in 2007, was promoted to Company Dancer. She performed nationally and internationally with the Ensemble. IIn 2014, the choreography Aludir a lo Que Fue, co-choreographed with fellow soloist, Juan Carlos Castellon, was presented at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival’s Inside/Out dance series. In 2015, she became a part-time dancer and teacher with the Ensemble and has taught Spanish dance as part of the After School Matters programs.

She earned a degree in Spanish Language and Interdisciplinary Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, where she also studied ballet, jazz and modern with Venetia Stifler. She regularly performs with Carlo Basile on Spanish guitar and is a member of Surabhi Ensemble.

PHAEDRA DARWISH

Coming from a background in instrumental and vocal music and musical theatre, Phaedra Darwish was mesmerized by Arabic dance and music after studying different types of dance from around the world. She feels that these art forms are beautiful ways to share the culture of her heritage.

She has been performing and teaching workshops and classes in Chicago and throughout the US for the past 14 years, as well as producing and taking part in cultural events, community fundraisers, and dance festivals as both a musician and dancer. Through active engagement, maintaining a high standard of execution, and participation in quality programming, Phaedra hopes to spread enthusiasm and respect for Middle Eastern dance as more and more people get acquainted with its health benefits and enchanted by its beauty.

With its lively music and rich historic tradition, oriental dance, or raqs sharqi, brings with it more than just dance moves. By examining the music, regions, and cultural aspects behind the movement in her classes and performing Arabic dance at a professional level both inside and outside of its traditional environment, Phaedra seeks to fulfill her mission as an artist: to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding by sharing the dances of her heritage with as large a population as possible.