Ensemble Español - Flamenco Passion

14 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Salme Harju Steinberg, PhD Chair President Emerita Northeastern Illinois University James Ramos Vice President City of Chicago, Deputy City Treasure Jose Molina Treasurer Finance, Economics, Risk Management Accenture / EY / Grant Thornton Gail Kalver Secretary Arts Management Consultant Daniel Contreras Microsoft Sonya Dekhtyar William Blair Randy Kravitz ED, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Melanie Flores Propel Consulting, LLC Dr. Shayne Cofer Associate Provost, NEIU Hormiz Eshoo Vice President, Wintrust Bank Jorge Perez Executive Director Jose Torres Dancer Representative ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER & CENTER The Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater is the premier Spanish dance company and center in the United States to have in-residence status at a university, Northeastern Illinois University,Chicago. The Ensemble Español preserves, presents and promotes the three styles of Spanish dance: Flamenco, folkloric, and classical. Founded in 1975 by Dame Libby Komaiko, and incorporated in 1976, the organization is now under the dynamic leadership of Irma Suarez Ruiz, artistic director and Jorge Pérez, executive director. The company is comprised of 40 dancers, singers, and musicians representing a mosaic of cultures from around the world. The organization is praised by educators, arts professionals, business and government leaders, as well as arts and cultural media for its artistic excellence, cultural integrity, and of course, its commitment to arts and higher education opportunities for all. The Ensemble appears in a broad range of television, opera, film, and symphonic formats, including with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Ensemble has appeared in many major theater and universities in Chicago and Illinois, including the landmark legendary Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, North Shore Center, Harris Theater, Symphony Space, to mention a few. The Ensemble has appeared throughout the United States, the Midwest, Puerto Rico, Hawaii & Canada and on four continents in the countries of Mexico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, China and Spain.