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cihtli ocampo

She’s BACK! In person & Zoom classes with Cihtli Ocampo have begun in Santa Monica & N Hollywood! See the classes page for details!

biography

Cihtli Ocampo is the granddaughter of a Spanish Civil War Exile and the daughter of Mexican Olympic swimmer, Walter Ocampo. She began dancing at the age of eight in San Diego, CA and began teaching and choreographing at the age of twelve. At seventeen, Ms. Ocampo moved to New York City to study at the Alvin Ailey School and Steps On Broadway where she studied under Judith Jamison, Ann Reinking, Joan Peters, Honi Coles, Miguel Godreau, Wilhelm Burman, Milton Meyers, Alexander Filipov, Zena Rommett and Cecilia Marta amongst others. The first twenty years of her dancing was diverse and focused on Jazz, Tap, West African, Dunham, Modern (Horton and Graham) and Ballet. During this time, she taught ballroom at Arthur Murray and received her B.A. in Political Science from NYU. After years of dancing in independent and black box productions in NYC, Cihtli found herself yearning for a form that spoke to her Mexican and Spanish heritage. It is with this mindset that she turned to Flamenco. She immediately took to the new art form and was hired by New York’s American Bolero Company (based out of Carnegie Hall) and Danzas Españolas, where she performed Flamenco, Bolero, Classical Spanish Dance and Spanish Folk Dance. In 1996, Ms. Ocampo became a member of Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo. Through her mentorship with Carlota Santana, Antonio Hidalgo and Jorge Navarro, Ms. Ocampo established herself in the New York City tablao scene. By 1999, Ms. Ocampo had become a soloist and teaching artist with Flamenco Vivo. She worked with Carlota Santana until 2002, touring with the company and teaching in NYC and North Carolina as part of Carlota Santana’s Artists in The Schools Program.

In 1999, Ms. Ocampo was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for Flamenco and Spanish Dance in Spain, thus marking the beginning of a new stage in her career. She moved to Spain and became deeply immersed in the Spanish Roma (Gitano) community in Andalucía. She performed throughout Spain and became the main attraction in Sevilla’s famed “La Carboneria” alongside dancer Luis Amaya and guitarist Cristobal Jimenez. After apprenticing under the legendary Farruco family in Seville, Ocampo became a member of their company in 2004. She performed in Farruquito’s “Alma Vieja” and also as a soloist alongside La Farruca in “Familia Farruco”. She was a featured dancer in French director, Tony Gatlif´s film Exils, which went on to win best direction at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. A live performance of Exils in Paris featured Ocampo along with many of the film’s performers including La Macanita, Diego de Morao, El Bobote and Taraf de Haidouks. In 2006, Ocampo was one of a handful of foreign dancers to place in any of Spain’s famed international Flamenco competitions, placing third at the Concurso Flamenco Ciudad de Ubrique.

In 2004, Ocampo was the founding member of Arte y Pureza Flamenco Co., under the direction of her now husband, musician Ethan Margolis. The company was created with the mission of showcasing the essence and improvisational qualities of Flamenco Gitano. A multi-layer company, Arte y Pureza was dedicated to developing and sharing its mission through live performance, international touring, recorded albums, music videos and a large-scale educational program. As a soloist, choreographer and guest collaborator, Cihtli Ocampo has been featured in theaters and festivals worldwide including the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, the Chicago Flamenco Festival, the El Cid Flamenco Festival in LA, the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC, The Julliard School, UCSD, The Broad Stage, Duke University, USC, CalArts, The Cowell Theater in San Francisco, The Albuquerque Flamenco Festival, and the Arriaga Theater in Oviedo, Spain.

In 2010, Ocampo moved to Los Angeles in order to further her mission of intercultural exchange and to engage regularly with an American audience. After fifteen years of working in the purest of Flamenco environments, Ocampo began to incorporate her earlier dance training into her embodiment of the Flamenco aesthetic. She began combining movements from the distinct cultural sources of her career, resulting in a hybridized aesthetic that transcends genre. In July of 2021 she completed her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University, marking a new chapter in her career as a professional dancer, choreographer, professor and scholar. Currently, Ms. Ocampo is a member of the dance faculty at UCSB. Pomona College and Santa Monica College where she has created Outcaste, Dejame Entrar, Sweet In The Mornin’, The Sun, Summer, May No One Cry and Desplazadas; seven original works for Synapse and Global Motion, SMC’s modern and world dance companies. In addition, she has collaborated as a choreographer with SMC’s Theater and Music Departments in their productions of Hunchback of Notre Dame, Flamenco Macbeth! (chosen to perform at the Kennedy Center Regional College Theatre Festival in 2020), The Seven Ravens and the opera Carmen. Presently, she continues her work as a guest collaborator, soloist, teacher and choreographer for SMC and independent artists in the LA area. Her latest project, Our Ephemeral Nature is a short film produced by Ms. Ocampo in which she performed an original work dedicated to exploring the ephemerality of art, nature, performance and life through an investigation in internal rhythms and improvised reactions to an ever-changing environment.

Throughout her career, Ocampo has trained under many of Flamenco’s greatest artists and teachers including the entire Farruco family, Eva La Yerbabuena, Belen Maya, Manuela Carrasco, Concha Vargas, Carmen Ledesma, Yolanda Heredia, Maria Magdalena, Carmela Greco, Cristobal Reyes, and Jose Molina. She has shared the stage with many of Flamenco´s most recognized artists such as: Manuel Molina, Miguel Funi, Inés Bacán, Farruca, Farruquito, Concha Vargas, Carmen Ledesma, Montse Cortes, Jose Valencia, Ramon Amador, Diego de Morao, Pepe Torres, Luis de la Tota, Chano Dominguez and Ramon Porrina. In addition, she has worked with some of the country’s top jazz singers and musicians including Katisse Buckingham, Deron Johnson, Reggie Hamilton, Emi Seacrest and Maya Sykes. A highly respected choreographer, teacher and movement coach, Cihtli has taught thousands of students throughout her career, mentoring Fulbright Scholars, dance studio owners, dance company founders and celebrated international Flamenco dancers and championship ballroom dancers. In January of 2022 Ms. Ocampo returned to Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana as Assistant to the Director for the 2022 touring season, culminating in a week long run at the Joyce Theater in NYC.

As an artist, Cihtli Ocampo brings a lifetime of experience in multiple cultures to every gesture, movement and expression. She views dance as the vehicle through which the body connects with the soul. Her choreographies are intense immersions into the everyday struggles of humankind. She uses the body and its rhythmic and lyrical capabilities as a way to communicate these struggles, working towards healing through the universal antidote of love. Mario Bois, the biographer of the great Carmen Amaya wrote of Ms. Ocampo; “…she is truly exceptional…she danced with a man’s suit and I was reminded of Carmen Amaya. She is strong and astounding, something you do not see every day.”

Press Reviews

"Cihtli Ocampo danced with such gestural flair and mastery of her long, ruffled train (kicking it behind her with every turn and sometimes up into her arms) that her Act 1 solo proved one of the evening's highlights -- and her finale duet with El Funi (circling each other as if waiting to pounce) another." - LA Times

"Cihtli Ocampo may be the most dramatic figure on stage this year." - Pittsburgh Magazine

"...a triumph!"-- NY Times

"This girl is truly exceptional. She danced with a man's suit and I was reminded of Carmen Amaya. She is strong and astounding, something you do not see every day." -- Mario Bois, Biographer of Carmen Amaya

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Group Class Schedule - updated Jan 2024

In Person Group Classes in Santa Monica, CA With Livestream on Zoom 2024

Day:	Time:	Class Title:	Price: Drop-In/Monthly	Location:
Monday/Wednesday	10:00am - 3:00pm	Private Lessons	$100/hr plus studio fee	Pretenders Dance Studio: 1438 9th St. B, Santa Monica, CA 90401
TBD	7:30 - 9:00pm	Flamenco Technique and Fundamentals (All Levels)	$45/$140
Currently, Cihtli is only teaching private lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays in Santa Monica. Her 7:30 - 9:00pm Group Flamenco Technique and Fundamentals class is on break until further notice. This Technique & Fundamentals Class will be livestreamed on Zoom. Zoom Fees are: $30/Drop In or $100/Month. Please contact Cihtli at cocampodance@gmail.com for the group class start date, Zoom link and payment information.

In Person Group Class in North Hollywood, CA

Day:	Time:	Class Title:	Price: Drop-In/Monthly	Location:
Fridays	7:00-8:30p	Technique & Choreography (Int/Advanced)	$45/$140	MKM Cultural Arts Center: 11401 Chandler Blvd. N Hollywood, CA 91601
Cihtli Ocampo is also teaching in person private classes. Please contact her directly at cocampodance@gmail.com to schedule a class.

College Class Schedule 2024

Day:	Time:	Class Title:	Price: Drop-In/Monthly	Location:
Monday/Wednesday	3:30 - 5:35pm	Dance 20: World Dance Styles	N/A	Santa Monica College - 1900 Pico Blvd.
Tuesday/Thursday	11:00 - 12:50pm	Dance 82/182FL: Flamenco	N/A	UC Santa Barbara
Tuesday/Thursday	2:00 - 3:15pm	Dance 46: Social Dance	N/A	UC Santa Barbara
Friday	1:00 - 4:15pm	Dance 150 PO Flamenco	N/A	Pomona College - 333 N. College Way
Students must be enrolled at either SMC, UCSB or Pomona College to take these courses. For more information please visit each school's website, or contact Cihtli at cocampodance@gmail.com.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

The Technique and Choreography Bootcamp is being offered LIVE, IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM every Wednesday in Santa Monica from 7:30-9:00pm. Cihtli will concentrate on intense footwork and bodywork giving individual corrections and support. Cihtli will also explore choreography and style as a way to improve execution and technical ability. Students are free to ask questions during class and those who are coming in on Zoom are encouraged to engage in real time. Supplementary YouTube links and video tutorials will be uploaded to Cihtli’s Flamenco Wednesdays Facebook Page as a way to continue working and progressing throughout the week. You can request to join the Flamenco Wednesdays Wednesdays FB group by clicking here.

Cihtli is available for private lessons and individual assessments as well.

Intermediate/Advanced Flamenco

This class will concentrate on Flamenco Technique, Footwork, Arms, Turns, Body & Style. As always, I will be taking you through intense footwork drills and challenging you rhythmically, mentally and physically. This class also explores choreography as a way to understand flamenco structure, momentum, musicality and cante. The palos we have explored this year include Alegrias, Bulerias and Farruca. Come ready to WORK!!

The Open Class (ONLINE)

All levels welcome. No shoes required! This class was created to bring us all together during this difficult time. All are welcome regardless of level or ability to pay. This class will explore flamenco rhythms, history, understanding cante structure, arms, hands, upper body work, marking and body slapping. We will be working in Tangos, Rumba, Bulerias and Sevillanas. We will also be learning llamadas and remates that can be done in a fiesta or shoeless setting. Eventually this class will require flamenco shoes and a dance board or floor. But until we are able to access studios or materials I will keep the class focused on Baile Casero (home and street dancing).

TECHNIQUE AND CHOREOGRAPHY BOOTCAMP (in person)

This class is designed to take students to the next level in their routine. The class starts with a rigorous footwork, arm and upper body warm up followed by marking to various palos (Flamenco styles). The second half of class is dedicated to working on small sections of choreography in different palos exposing the student to multiple styles and rhythms within Flamenco. This class is open to all levels but is designed for the intermediate to advanced dancer who is looking to expand their knowledge and improve their technique, stamina, style, rhythmic understanding, melodic sensitivity, turns, improvisational abilities and corporal versatility.

ADVANCED CHOREOGRAPHY

This class is designed for the advanced student looking to move into the professional realm. Ms. Ocampo takes the class through a three month long study in a designated palo (flamenco style). The class focuses on rhythmic understanding, how to obtain a basic understanding of the cante (singing) and how to recognize cues within the cante. Students learn how to mark, rematar and llamar within the letras (sung verses). They also are taught how to create their own choreographic structures and improvise with the cante. Students will learn how to create their own choreographies and adapt their dancing to different performance scenarios. By the end of each 3-4 month session students will have a general choreography that is used as a template and in addition they will have their own personal structure which they can use and adapt for any performance setting.

BATA DE COLA

If you want to be a better Flamenco dancer then you MUST take Bata De Cola.

In this class Ms. Ocampo teaches dancers how to use the bata de cola (long train dress). Ms. Ocampo uses a methodical, technique-based approach to using the bata in this exciting class. Students are taught a very precise series of warm up exercises designed to strengthen, elongate and coordinate a dancer’s entire body. Students then learn a series of eight compound exercises created by Ms. Ocampo known as the “Killers”. In these exercises students will learn how to separate the upper body from the lower in order to create a free-flowing torso and arms over a grounded yet constantly moving lower body while keeping the bata in constant motion. Students are taught to LIFT and PLACE the bata rather than simply KICK and DRAG. In the last half hour of class Ms. Ocampo will work on a choreography that incorporates all of the techniques used in her warm up. Bata de Cola is a fundamental tool for feminizing and grounding a dancer’s movements. This class is for anyone looking to improve their upper body and learn how to fully unify and coordinate the entire body while dancing.

Notes on attire and preparation: Please wear yoga pants to class. Owning your own bata is not necessary for this class as professional rehearsal batas are provided. Please do not buy anything before consulting Ms. Ocampo. This is a very demanding class physically and mentally so please come well rested and having eaten no less than 2-3 hours before class.

TECHNIQUE AND RHYTHM

In this class we will explore the basics in Flamenco rhythms and technique. The first 30 minutes of class are dedicated to playing palmas (flamenco clapping) and understanding multiple styles and accent patterns in Bulerias and Tangos using Ethan Margolis’ Rhythmic Methodology. These two palos provide a foundation for learning all other palos in Flamenco. Students are also taught how to recognize cues in the cante (flamenco singing) which help dictate what choices we make as dancers. Ms. Ocampo then leads the class through an in-depth warm up that consists of footwork, upper body and arms, hands and turns. Students will learn to improvise in Bulerias and Tangos using all the rhythms and steps learned in class. The last 30 minutes of class are dedicated to working on short pieces of choreography in various palos. Students of all levels are welcome but the class is designed with the Intermediate dancer in mind.

TECHNIQUE AND CHOREOGRAPHY

This class overlaps with the Technique and Rhythm class described above. Students are lead through an in-depth warm up designed to improve, strengthen and accelerate footwork, arms, upper body carriage, turns and hands. Students will learn how to better coordinate the upper torso and arms with the feet during escobillas (long footwork sections) and while marking. Ms. Ocampo stresses proper technique while focusing on individual style and expression. The last half hour is dedicated to an advanced choreography in whichever palo is currently being worked on. This final portion of the class is only open to advanced dancers.

BEGINNING FLAMENCO

Welcome to Flamenco!! In this one hour class we learn all the basics of Flamenco at a slow, relaxed paced designed to help students assimilate the many elements of this art form with no stress. This class focuses on the following: basic footwork technique, foundational rhythms, palmas (hand clapping), the basics in arms and hands, how to incorporate the upper body, basic turns and gaining a working vocabulary in terminology. We will also explore the basics in understanding the music, the singing and even a little bit of history! In this class students will be playing palmas (clapping) and dancing on their very first day! Come join us for this fun, easygoing class. Bring a friend!

Notes on attire: Please come prepared to sweat. Wear comfortable clothing such as a yoga top and pants and flamenco shoes if you have them. If not bring sneakers or any closed-toe, low-heeled shoe you have. When possible loaner pairs will be provided upon request.