ALTAGRACIA ROSARIO MENDEZ BRUNO
    
Born in New York City but lived for 6 years of her childhood in Puerto Rico where it was easier for her mother, native Puerto Rican and father a political refugee from Madrid, Spain to be together for short periods of time as a family. Altagracia literally danced before she was born because her mother, a professional singer and dancer performed until she was six months pregnant. Altagracia's mother discovered her daughter's love of music and dance while rehearsing. Altagracia would mimic her mother's routines. At the age of 5 she was so good at mimicking her mother, a song and dance routine was developed in mother, daughter outfits. From that point on music and dance has been Altagracia's lifetime passion. She has taken all her dance experience and training that ranges from Latin Hispanic Folkloric, Flamenco, Jazz, Modern and Middle Eastern Dance and developed her own unique style...Latin/Arabic Fusion.  
EFREN - mom
ALTAGRACIA

DANCE EXPERIENCE

  • 1957-58 Child Performer: "Programa de Quinoñes Vidal" - San Juan, Puerto Rico

1983-93 Featured Dancer - Middle Eastern

  • Fazil's Night Club - New York City
  • Café Feengon - New York City
  • The Oasis - New York City
  • Beirut - New York City
  • Istanbul - New Jersey
  • Ararat - New York City
  • HOMELINE CRUISES - SS Oceanic, SS Homeric

DANCE COMPANY APPEARANCES

  • Serena Dance Theater
  • Ramzi El Edlibi Dance Company
  • Kismet Dance Ensemble: 1993 - 97 Artistic Director

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 1986-92 Dance Instructor: Serena Studios
  • 1997 to present: Workshop Teacher
  • Guest Workshop Teacher - Morocco Casbah Experience, DanceWorks - London, England
  • HARKNESS DANCE CENTER AT 92ND STREET Y
  • TIME CIRCLE STUDIOS
  • EGYPTIAN ACADEMY OF ORIENTAL DANCE

MEDIA EXPERIENCE

  • 1989 GOOD MORNING AMERICA - ABC
  • 1991 MTV - Comedy Channel with Dennis Leary
  • 1998 - Appeared in BBC Dance Documentary: segment- FLAMENCO DANCE IN AMERICA
  • 2001-02 NEON'S WorldDance New York
  • 2004 GOOD MORNING NEW YORK - FOX 5

AWARDS

  • November 9th, 2000 - The Council City of New York Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage - Dance Performance

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