Patricia Vasconcellos Medeiros: 'You will be hypnotized by the Flamenco dance as the performance touches deeply the emotions of the audience.'
Patricia moved to Canada from Brazil in March 2017 to pursue her doctoral research in Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. On completing her research studies, she was invited to apply for permanent residence and soon found herself settling into London. “I came to Canada under the research partnership program between Brazil and Canada and chose London due to its multiculturalism and art scene,” says Patricia.
As she looked for work in her field of study, Patricia, a highly trained dancer in her native Brazil, opened the Flamenco del Sur Dance Studio in 2019. The move to introduce Flamenco to London was extraordinarily successful and she was soon performing at events and festivals. “I joined the Centre of Movement Arts and London Dance Festival ensembles,” says Patricia. The following year she established a Flamenco band called “Los Aires,” where she coached other musicians to compose and perform Flamenco songs. During the pandemic, the band performed online, and the dance studio provided virtual classes, as well as piano lessons. As her reputation as a spectacular Flamenco dancer spread, Patricia was invited to perform at festivals in Ontario, including as part of Simple Reflections for Artists, Toronto Fringe, London Public Library Events, Heart Links, London Luso Community Centre, and Sunfest. “I present Flamenco music and dance through performances, courses, and workshops to bring the Flamenco Art and Culture to the London community,” says Patricia.
As she looked for work in her field of study, Patricia, a highly trained dancer in her native Brazil, opened the Flamenco del Sur Dance Studio in 2019. The move to introduce Flamenco to London was extraordinarily successful and she was soon performing at events and festivals. “I joined the Centre of Movement Arts and London Dance Festival ensembles,” says Patricia. The following year she established a Flamenco band called “Los Aires,” where she coached other musicians to compose and perform Flamenco songs. During the pandemic, the band performed online, and the dance studio provided virtual classes, as well as piano lessons. As her reputation as a spectacular Flamenco dancer spread, Patricia was invited to perform at festivals in Ontario, including as part of Simple Reflections for Artists, Toronto Fringe, London Public Library Events, Heart Links, London Luso Community Centre, and Sunfest. “I present Flamenco music and dance through performances, courses, and workshops to bring the Flamenco Art and Culture to the London community,” says Patricia.
When asked how the dance form inspires her, Patricia replies, “Flamenco is an art form that emerged many centuries ago from the fusion of many different people and cultures. It reminds me of moving from my native country, Brazil, fusing my Latin culture with Canadian culture.” Patricia explains further that the Flamenco Dance promotes a deep understanding of life with passionate lyrics and powerful movements. “it is known for its emotional intensity, proud carriage, expressive use of the arms, and rhythmic stamping of the feet,” she says, adding that the dance shows the love that transcends victories and defeats, joys and sorrows, light, and darkness, to enchant and deeply touch audiences’ emotions. “I see myself in what I create when I am producing a Flamenco choreography and when I compose my songs/repertory,” she continues, “my inspiration is to make the audience feel the passion to live a life intensely and full of love.”
When Patricia moved to London, her two girls were young, and she is proud of how they have grown into caring young women. She teaches at Fanshawe Health Care Management, where she leverages her many years of experience as a Dentist and Orthodontist in Brazil. “It was very, very hard at the beginning,” says Patricia, “however, I received a lot of support from London’s community centers. I was able to access help from the Canadian government and other non-profit organizations.” Initially, she and her girls missed the food, and the extended family, and then there was the struggle with communicating in the English language. After Brazil, the weather in Canada was also a new challenge, “it was so cold, not like Brazil at all,” says Patricia. “But you get used to it all,” says Patricia, “and in time this becomes your home, and you adapt to the Canadian way of life.” Given her experiences as a new immigrant, Patricia encourages her students at Fanshawe College to speak up and to be brave. Patricia credits her mother with inspiring her to be independent and to follow her dreams, “she always encouraged us to live our lives,” says Patricia.
Patricia’s advice to other newcomer artists is to never give up. She says, “Art helps cultures unite, and by showcasing our art we keep our background and traditions alive.”
Patricia's work can be found at:
Facebook
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Or at www.flamencodelsur.ca/
When Patricia moved to London, her two girls were young, and she is proud of how they have grown into caring young women. She teaches at Fanshawe Health Care Management, where she leverages her many years of experience as a Dentist and Orthodontist in Brazil. “It was very, very hard at the beginning,” says Patricia, “however, I received a lot of support from London’s community centers. I was able to access help from the Canadian government and other non-profit organizations.” Initially, she and her girls missed the food, and the extended family, and then there was the struggle with communicating in the English language. After Brazil, the weather in Canada was also a new challenge, “it was so cold, not like Brazil at all,” says Patricia. “But you get used to it all,” says Patricia, “and in time this becomes your home, and you adapt to the Canadian way of life.” Given her experiences as a new immigrant, Patricia encourages her students at Fanshawe College to speak up and to be brave. Patricia credits her mother with inspiring her to be independent and to follow her dreams, “she always encouraged us to live our lives,” says Patricia.
Patricia’s advice to other newcomer artists is to never give up. She says, “Art helps cultures unite, and by showcasing our art we keep our background and traditions alive.”
Patricia's work can be found at:
Or at www.flamencodelsur.ca/