Ensemble Español - Flamenco Passion

We are grateful to Mr. Tom Hurvis of the Hurvis Foundation for his continued support, vision, friendship, and passion for all that is Flamenco, arts, culture and education. Gracias Señor Hurvis for the new historic match grant challenge of raising $350,000 for potential earnings of $1.1 million dollars by December 31, 2023. The campaign is titled “Legacy in Motion”. See our full-page ad in the program with QR code for more information or visit our hospitality table in theater lobby and see one of our staff or board members to donate today. A very special thank you to the Ragsdale Estate and family as we honor their beloved son and mother, Greg and Betty, long time friends of the Ensemble Español. We honor their love and passion for arts and education. Gracias. As we celebrate our legacies and prepare to launch our 50th anniversary in 2025-26, we are truly honored to announce our new chair of the Ensemble Español Board of Directors, Dr. Salme Harju Steinberg. Dr. Steinberg served as president of Northeastern Illinois University from 1995 to 2007. She was a dear friend and supporter of our beloved Dame Libby Komaiko, founder of the Ensemble, from the very beginnings of the company. During and after her presidency she has continued her leadership and advocacy of the arts in Chicago and on the world stages with Ensemble Español. As Dr. Steinberg recently said, “Dame Libby had a vision for the Ensemble that was filled with courage and optimism. She understood the urgency of building bridges into the future with the art and beauty of the Ensemble.” We are all excited to celebrate the Ensemble’s historic Golden anniversary with the leadership of Dr. Steinberg and every member of our dedicated, hard-working board of directors and staff as we build and grow for generations to come. You in our audiences are an active part of our history and our future. We dedícate ourselves here in the Ensemble Español to the same passions as did our beloved founder, Dame Libby Komaiko, when she first walked onto the stage in 1974 at Northeastern Illinois University’s auditorium, performing with her mother, concert pianist, Dorothy Komaiko. Gracias to our families, friends, students, fans, alumni, and audience members for your deepest and sincerest admiration, love and support this past season and for the last 47 years. Muchísimas Gracias. Thank you for joining us this evening. Enjoy the concert. Irma Suarez Ruiz Jorge Perez Artistic Director Executive Director 6 Dr. Salme Harju Steinberg