ANTONIO VARGAS
"Having a musical background from an early age, I found learning the rudiments of flamenco in order to master the complexities of timing within the dance structures an easier task to achieve.
My teachers recognised my potential and soon coached me to become efficient enough to be part of Spanish dance companies. The more I performed the more I realised that artistry, passion and inspiration were the main tools to achieve the standards of my peers, who are icons of flamenco even now.
The excitement I felt provoked in me an insatiable urge to discover the mysteries of flamenco and cross all the boundaries embodied by this rich culture. Fifty years later I still consider myself a student, due to the constantly changing art form and its evolution."
Antonio Vargas
Maestro Antonio Vargas has called Singapore home in the last 5 years. Although he still travels overseas for workshops, performances and projects, our maestro is currently based here for a large part of the year to give master classes, workshops and to train the performing company.
An original experimental flamenco dance theatre project Cinco Sueños with dance company Flamenco Sin Fronteras, was staged in the Arts House in Nov 2009, and as well an experimental Flamenco-Indian fusion working with the talented tabla player Nawaz Mirajkar in Camino Flamenco in April 2009. Another facet is kickstarting authentic tablao flamenco puro shows such as Soniquete with Antonio Soria, and Duende Gitano with El Titi.
Besides Flamenco, Maestro Antonio Vargas is well versed in Classical Spanish Dance and Spanish Regional Folk Dances from his years of training in Pilar Lopez Company. Choreographic commissions here included the Jota de Aragon, Goyescas, and Farruca de Molinero for Rose Borreomeo Spanish Dance Company for their inaugural production, Romanza Española in 2005. A talented and multifaceted musician himself, Antonio plays the guitar, percussion, piano and cello and is well versed with all styles of music and dance. Thus, he is able to collaborate with other music genres such as jazz, Afro-cuban , Indian and Arabic and other dance styles such as contemporary , ballet and Classical Indian with Flamenco.
Antonio Vargas is currently on the dance faculty for Flamenco and Spanish Dance in the prestigous School of the Arts, Singapore.
Antonio Vargas Biography Appendix
Promoters associated with Antonio Vargas Projects
Antonio Vargas Past Press Release 2001-2002
Below is a video excerpt from one of, if not the, most important Australian films for Flamenco in Australia. The video clip embedded below is just the flamenco scene from Strictly Ballroom and includes the special edition commentary.
Strictly Ballroom was released in 1992, starring Paul Mercurio (Scott) and Tara Morice (Fran), directed by Baz Luhrmann. Although the film centers around ballroom dancing with a hint of ‘Dirty Dancing’, Fran’s father Rico and grandmother are Flamenco Dancers. Rico is played by Sydney’s own Antonio Vargas, who, at the time, had the top flamenco school in Australia. Antonio’s (already successful) – career continued to progress after this film, as he tour the world with flamenco shows and star in other movies, including Mission Impossible II.
Click here to watch other video links of his past works: