The Welcomes You |
ABOUT JARROD STEPHENSON |
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Jarrod Stephenson began playing music at a very young age. He started guitar at the age of
fourteen. In 2002, his thirst for something more drove him to the Conservatory of Music and
Dance, at the University of Missouri Kansas City, where he was honored with the Greensburg
Guitar Scholarship for his studies. As well as performing solo Classical repertoire under the
study of the prestigious Douglas Niedt, Jarrod had an active interest in jazz which led him to
study with the renowned jazz guitarist Rod Fleeman. In 2006, Jarrod received his Bachelor’s
Degree in Guitar Performance, and then was turned on to the art form of Flamenco.
Jarrod studied Flamenco in Kansas City with guitarist Beau Bledsoe. Jarrod soon began
accompanying dancers at the Manos Rojas School of Flamenco. Still wanting more, Jarrod
moved to Spain in 2006, to be immersed in this beautiful art form. It is there that he studied
with Enrique Vargas and Niño Jerro to develop the perfect technique and adapt the Jerez style
of playing, which is one of the most complex and brilliant styles of Flamenco. After his stay in
Jerez, Jarrod returned home to Kansas City and co-founded the group “Alma Flamenca.” It was
with that group that Jarrod began fusing the fiery rhythms of Flamenco with the luscious
harmonies of jazz. These elements are infused into all of his compositions.
Currently, Jarrod is performing solo guitar throughout the Midwest, and appearing with ”Olé, the
Music and Dance of Spain,” as well as composing and forming new groups that will be available
to Kansas City very soon.
Visit Jarrod's Website
fourteen. In 2002, his thirst for something more drove him to the Conservatory of Music and
Dance, at the University of Missouri Kansas City, where he was honored with the Greensburg
Guitar Scholarship for his studies. As well as performing solo Classical repertoire under the
study of the prestigious Douglas Niedt, Jarrod had an active interest in jazz which led him to
study with the renowned jazz guitarist Rod Fleeman. In 2006, Jarrod received his Bachelor’s
Degree in Guitar Performance, and then was turned on to the art form of Flamenco.
Jarrod studied Flamenco in Kansas City with guitarist Beau Bledsoe. Jarrod soon began
accompanying dancers at the Manos Rojas School of Flamenco. Still wanting more, Jarrod
moved to Spain in 2006, to be immersed in this beautiful art form. It is there that he studied
with Enrique Vargas and Niño Jerro to develop the perfect technique and adapt the Jerez style
of playing, which is one of the most complex and brilliant styles of Flamenco. After his stay in
Jerez, Jarrod returned home to Kansas City and co-founded the group “Alma Flamenca.” It was
with that group that Jarrod began fusing the fiery rhythms of Flamenco with the luscious
harmonies of jazz. These elements are infused into all of his compositions.
Currently, Jarrod is performing solo guitar throughout the Midwest, and appearing with ”Olé, the
Music and Dance of Spain,” as well as composing and forming new groups that will be available
to Kansas City very soon.
Visit Jarrod's Website
| Appearing With: TAMARA LA GARBONCITO |
A personal goal to share the rich tradition of Spanish dance, music and culture with others has led
professional dancer Tamara La Garbancito to the international and national stage. Combined
with intensive training in the flamenco style of dance from Andalusian Gypsies in Barcelona,
Spain, Tamara has also extensive training in ballet, modern, folkloric, jazz & tap dance. “La
Garbancito” is the stage name given to her by Madrid’s world renowned folkloric instructor, Don
Juanjo Linares, the only flamenco dancer to be given this special title. Off the stage and to her
students, she’s known as Tamara Carson.
Her performance resume includes work with the Frankfurt Opera of Germany, the Kansas City
Lyric Opera, Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Guitar Society, the
Walt Disney Children’s Art Festival, the Nelson/Atkins-Sprint Series, Fiesta Hispana, Sierra Latina
and the Renaissance Festival. She’s worked for over a decade throughout the area and region
as a presenter of flamenco and the Spanish culture through the auspices of Young Audiences,
Inc. of KC and later the Spanish Cultural Kaleidoscope. Her choreographic works include time
spent with the Kansas City Lyric Opera and the Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg, Virginia, the
Universities of Kansas and Missouri, as well as numerous festivals and workshops and Las Vegas
style floor shows. She is currently on the Missouri Arts Council Touring Artist Roster and
performs as a guest artist with Viva Flamenco!
A graduate with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dance Division, Tamara
has been an Artist-in-Residence for the University of Kansas and the Leavenworth public school
system, as well as a faculty member of the American Dance Center from 1980-96, Saint Mary
University 1988-90, the Conservatory of Music UMKC 1994-2001 and began workshops at City
In Motion since 1988. Because of her experience as an educator and working artist, she was
appointed to the Missouri Arts Council from 1994 to 1999 and on the Alumni Board of the
Conservatory of Music at UMKC from 2004-2009. She has been a faculty member at the Kansas
City Ballet School since 2005.
Visit Tamara's Website
professional dancer Tamara La Garbancito to the international and national stage. Combined
with intensive training in the flamenco style of dance from Andalusian Gypsies in Barcelona,
Spain, Tamara has also extensive training in ballet, modern, folkloric, jazz & tap dance. “La
Garbancito” is the stage name given to her by Madrid’s world renowned folkloric instructor, Don
Juanjo Linares, the only flamenco dancer to be given this special title. Off the stage and to her
students, she’s known as Tamara Carson.
Her performance resume includes work with the Frankfurt Opera of Germany, the Kansas City
Lyric Opera, Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Guitar Society, the
Walt Disney Children’s Art Festival, the Nelson/Atkins-Sprint Series, Fiesta Hispana, Sierra Latina
and the Renaissance Festival. She’s worked for over a decade throughout the area and region
as a presenter of flamenco and the Spanish culture through the auspices of Young Audiences,
Inc. of KC and later the Spanish Cultural Kaleidoscope. Her choreographic works include time
spent with the Kansas City Lyric Opera and the Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg, Virginia, the
Universities of Kansas and Missouri, as well as numerous festivals and workshops and Las Vegas
style floor shows. She is currently on the Missouri Arts Council Touring Artist Roster and
performs as a guest artist with Viva Flamenco!
A graduate with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dance Division, Tamara
has been an Artist-in-Residence for the University of Kansas and the Leavenworth public school
system, as well as a faculty member of the American Dance Center from 1980-96, Saint Mary
University 1988-90, the Conservatory of Music UMKC 1994-2001 and began workshops at City
In Motion since 1988. Because of her experience as an educator and working artist, she was
appointed to the Missouri Arts Council from 1994 to 1999 and on the Alumni Board of the
Conservatory of Music at UMKC from 2004-2009. She has been a faculty member at the Kansas
City Ballet School since 2005.
Visit Tamara's Website