Jelena Ava Ristic
Director and Instructor
Hi and welcome!
I'm Jelena Ava Ristic.
And...this is my Flamenco bio!
I was born and raised in Toronto Canada, where I started taking Flamenco Dance classes at the Academy of Spanish Dance under Esmeralda Enrique in 2000.
It was love at first sight. I immediately threw myself in wholeheartedly not only attending several classes a week, but also taking workshops from celebrated Flamenco dancers and percussionists from Spain.
Carmen Ledesma
Belen Maya
Andres Marin
Rafael Campallo
Alicia Marquez
Nano
La Choni
Eva La Yerba Buena
Juan Ogalla
Ali La Tota
Harumi Hata
David El Gamba
Carmen Montes
Naike Ponce Gonzales
Carmen Montes
Maria Avila
David Gutierrez Molina
I continued to study both dance and cante (singing) under a variety of artists trained in Spain, based out of several U.S. Canadian & European cities including...
Katerina Giannakopoulou (Cologne Germany,) https://katerinagiannakopoulou.com
Maria Avila (Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.mariaavilaflamenco.com
Tamar Ilana (Toronto, Canada) https://tamarilana.com
Silvia Temis (Calgary, Canada) https://silviatemis.com
Elba Hevia y Vaca (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://pasionyarteflamenco.org/about/
Yumi La Rosa https://www.yumilarosa.com
Franchesca Nava https://www.facebook.com/fca.ivonnava
Within a few short years of beginning my studies, I was dancing semi-professionally at weddings, community events and restaurants within the city of Toronto and surrounding area.
I spent several years organizing rehearsals and performances for the Academy of Spanish Dance in Toronto for various community events such as The Dragon Boat Races, Latin American Festivals, Holiday Events and Celebrations around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
In Toronto I have performed with Tamar Illana, Ilse Gudino, Angela Deiseach, Pam Briz, Lisa La Mantia, Clauda Calú Aguirre and Jorge Miguel as well as performed for the online Philadelphia Fringe Dance Festival with Pasión Y Arte for the piece "Sevillana Get Togethers," 2020.
This year I am very proud to have been included in the Phoenix World Arts Collective as a dancer and teacher and as a dancer in the Franchesca Flamenco Dance Company: https://phxworldarts.org/jelena-ava-ristic/
Click here for Upcoming Performances:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/5a38c095-b6cd-41f7-8cab-13395f757392
What sets me apart from other teachers of Flamenco personally and professionally is the following:
Personally:
I profoundly understand what it is like to feel at a complete disadvantage in many aspects starting something you are simultaneously intensely attracted to, and also terrified of because of self doubt and personal obstacles.
I started Flamenco, what most people would traditionally call, 'late' to become any good at it, let alone start any kind of career involving it. I was 28 years old. And, I continue to be traditionally quite tall for a dancer at 5'10 in my Flamenco shoes.
Also, I was born a blue baby. Even after corrective surgery for a congenital heart disorder, I am wired a bit differently with my aorta and vena cava switched. As a result, I can tire far more quickly from physical exertion than the average person if I'm not incredibly intentional with my overall health and dance technique.
Finally, I was tragically injured and disabled by medical negligence in 2012 and told by dozens of specialists that I'd never walk, let alone dance again. It took me 13 years of struggle through soul crushing chronic physical and emotional pain, homelessness and major depression to get to where I am today and prove them wrong.
All this has greatly influenced my teaching style at Flamenco For Life. My passion as an instructor is to teach beyond the dance form we admire and adore, using it to light the way for each and every one of my students' dreams whether they are in dance, or in any other aspect of their lives.
I intimately understand the light and dark side of the body / mind connection which allows me to use every particle of that knowledge to ensure my students become the healthiest, most resilient and fulfilled dancers and people they can be.
Dance is a uniquely transformative personal experience that is great enriched by a conscious and intentional instructor who brings that to every single dance class.
Professionally:
I have a 26 year long awarded and continuing career in education as an instructor who is consistently engaged in professional development using the latest learning strategies based in psychology, sociology and neurobiology. That means I've been professionally practicing the art of teaching even longer than the art of Flamenco!
This, along with my holistic focus on Flamenco including all its aspects, form, cante, percussion and history make me a uniquely well-rounded instructor that is capable of getting the most out of my students expertly, efficiently and organically to minimize their struggle and maximize their success at learning something as complex and challenging as it is rewarding.
...and more.
I am fully bilingual English / Spanish, self taught in castanets, have studied palmas and rhythm with David Moran (El Gamba from Jerez de La Frontera, Spain), and have been studying Flamenco Cante since 2019 with Tamar Ilana (Toronto, CA), Silvia Temis (Calgary CA), and Naike Ponce Gonzalez (Madrid, Spain), as well as voice with Stephanie Swann at Sing your Style here in Phoenix AZ as well as online with Madeleine Harvey.
My own dedicated personal development includes art therapy (certified), meditation (certified), yoga (intensive personal practice), rigorously exploring and applying high performance habits, and supporting interdisciplinary art projects that greatly enrich my practice and teaching of the dance form.
The result...
Flamenco For Life classes are run on a completely unique proprietary methodology consciously integrating personal development, yoga, meditation, neurobiology, experiential learning and expert pedagogy with the goal of not only forming a resilient, capable and bold dancer, but also individual who is not only not afraid to dream, but is equipped to go out and realize their dreams.
Why Flamenco For Life?
Flamenco For Life has a double meaning. It means Flamenco forever, as well as for living a more activated, fulfilled and rewarding life.
Now that you know all about me...I'd be very honored for the priviledge of meeting you in a free class to not only have an absolute blast dancing together, but also discover how Flamenco For Life can serve you and your dreams too.
For Parents...
I am bonded, finger printed and have passed my state background check to work as an Interventionist with immigrant second language learners at Peoria Accelerated Alternative High School in Peoria, Arizona where I very happily reside with my husband and beloved kid friendly pets Simeon (the Husky), Gabe, Izzy and Olive (the cats).
*** If you are allergic to pets, we'll be expanding to non-home based studio space in the very near future. Contact me at contact@flamencoforlife.com for more information.
Education, Certifications and Licenses
Education:
B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish LIterature - York University, Toronto CA
TESL Diploma - Humber College, Toronto CA
Certifications:
Art Therapy
Meditation
Positive Psychology
Make-Up Artistry
Teaching Licenses and Certifications in the State of Arizona
English Language Arts
Constitutional History U.S. & Arizona
Dance (In progress to be completed by January 2025)
Sevillanas with Castanets
Pima County Courthouse in Tucson, AZ
Sevillanas with Fan
Pima County Courthouse in Tucson, AZ