The Performers
ABOUT
Flamenco en Rouge are a group of internationally trained artists who have performed on the stages of Canada and Spain
Deeply committed to the purity and elemental intensity of flamenco music and dance, Flamenco en Rouge brings together artists who share a unique creative vision
Performing a highly emotional Jerez-style flamenco, the baile (dancing) closely reflects and integrates cante (singing), and gives expression to the words
"It is always a pleasure seeing Flamenco En Rouge perform. They immediately light up the room and audiences couldn't get enough. The atrium was filled to the rafters!"
Salma Bedir, National Arts Centre
"Flamenco en Rouge dazzled audiences last summer and we couldn't wait to have them back again this year!"
National Arts Centre
Martine Durier-Copp
Artistic Director and choreographer for Flamenco en Rouge, Martine brings a background in music and dance that admirably suits her work in Flamenco. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master’s of Musicology from the Université de Montréal, and continued her musical studies in Paris and Saint Petersburg.
Her dance education began at Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal and her flamenco training has included annual master classes in Spain with Antonio de Veronica y Saray Cortes, Noelia Sabarea, Soraya Clavijo, La Chiqui, and Maria Bermudez. She has also taken numerous international workshops in Jerez de la Frontera, Malaga, New York and Montréal, which featured flamenco legends Farruquito, Belen Maya, Olga Pericet, La Lupi and Carmen Ledesma.
She has performed in Spain and in many Canadian cities, including Ottawa, Victoria, Saint John and regularly in her hometown, Halifax. She undertakes research yearly at the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco, in Jerez de la Frontera, enriching her flamenco dance with in-depth study of the flamenco forms and letras (sung verses). Martine is an artist supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Brenley Heaver
The Voice of Flamenco en Rouge, Brenley is known not only for the beautiful, soaring and passionate cante (singing) but also for her role of host and storyteller. During performances, she guides listeners through the intricacies of flamenco by providing contextual details and applied translation of letras (lyrics). Brenley takes great pride in making this UNESCO World Heritage more accessible and relatable to a variety of English-speaking audiences.
Brenley first discovered flamenco in Spain, during a family trip to Tarifa, and continued to explore this art form in various ways. Originally from Ontario, she enhanced her high school and university education with Spanish language lessons, and studies in vocal performance and Musical Theatre.
She now lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia, where she teaches high school English, Geography, Art and Social Studies courses. Brenley joined Flamenco en Rouge in 2015 and continues to share her passion for, and further develop her understanding of, flamenco, performing alongside her husband, Matthew Martin.
Ruth Pacis
Originally from Manila, Philippines, Ruth Pacis has danced her entire life, experimenting with a variety of styles. She discovered flamenco in 2000, and became immediately besotted by the passion and drama of that art form.
She has studied flamenco in Canada, the United States and in Spain, where she returns regularly for master classes. Ruth is especially drawn to the gitano (gypsy) elements of flamenco - earthy, emotional and playful.
For CAMINO, Ruth will be featured in the beautiful and sultry Guajiras, an Ida y vuelta flamenco style, influenced by Cuban rhythms and boleros.
Ruth is also an accomplished ballroom dancer, who has competed on stages across Canada.
When not dancing flamenco, Dr. Ruth Pacis is a family doctor, with a busy practice in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Marina Roussakova
Originally from Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Marina grew up surrounded by ballet and art. She discovered flamenco in 2000, began studying the art form in Halifax, followed by many study visits to Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where she has worked with flamenco master teachers, including Maria Bermúdez.
She has been performing with Flamenco en Rouge since 2012. Marina brings her grace and elegance to flamenco, and is recognized for her skill and technique with the flamenco mantón (large shawl). In CAMINO, Marina will be featured in the dramatic and driving Soleá por bulerías.
Matthew Martin
Musical Director and guitarist for Flamenco En Rouge.
Originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Matthew pursued classical guitar studies with his Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from Acadia University in 2008. In 2009, he placed second in the Canadian National Music Festival competition. He furthered his studies in Koblenz, Germany, where he obtained a Diploma in Performance.
Matt has studied classical guitar with many of the world's top guitarists including: Dale Kavanagh, Aniello Desiderio and Eliot Fisk. He became interested in flamenco guitar and joined Flamenco en Rouge in 2015. Matt has advanced his flamenco guitar training with Jesús Alvarez Jesule of Jerez de la
Frontera.
Matt is Flamenco en Rouge's guitarist and Musical Director. Matt teaches guitar lessons in Kentville, Nova Scotia, and is the proud husband of our cantaora (singer), Brenley Heaver.