Valerie Scannura had been performing and teaching flamenco and Spanish dance at two flamenco dance companies prior to founding her own company and school, Ritmo Flamenco in 1995.  Valerie graduated from the National Ballet School’s prestigious teacher training program and taught ballet exclusively for several years before flamenco became her main love. Her desire to integrate the art forms of flamenco with contemporary dance and ballet have made her company stand out as being innovative and technically advanced . In this aspect, her school is unique in it’s development and nurturing of up and coming young artists. Presently, she has established an ongoing relationship with teachers and schools in Spain and is able to recommend the best places to train in flamenco.    This desire to integrate her students with Spain has influenced the international stature of her school and increased her standards of performance.

Valerie herself has been traveling to Spain since 1992 and has had the privilege of attending classes at the historic “Amor de Dios” studios. Amor de Dios is the emblematic centre of Flamenco and Spanish Dance.  Created in 1953 as a rehearsal studio and has grown to be associated with the most prestigious names of Spanish dance and flamenco; from Antonio Gades to the current names in flamenco like Marco Flores and Belen Maya.  She has studied with many great artists such as Merche Esmeralda, Ciro, Manolete, El Guito, Paco Romero, Maria Magdalena, Carmela Greco, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia and others too numerous to mention.  These studies have elevated her knowledge and appreciation of the art of Spanish dance and she has constructed her own syllabus based on an amalgamation of information from all of these teachers.  In 2000, she became enamoured with Jerez de la Frontera and began an annual journey to the “heartbeat” of flamenco.  Andalusia is where flamenco was born and bred and she has enjoyed many trips to this beautiful city to take part in the Festival de Jerez and study with pure born artists just as Mercedes Ruiz.  Each year, she returns to Spain to various cities and has enjoyed workshop intensives  amid others who have continuously inspired her to achieve her goals while as she constantly adds new creativity to her teaching and performing.

She has guided many dancers to professional careers in Spanish dance and flamenco.  Her daughter Anjelica Scannura is an award-winning dancer and choreographer and was guided by Valerie to become one of Canada’s top flamenco dancers.  She has performed with the Canadian Opera Company and was chosen out of dancers from across Canada and the United States for the solo role in Don Quichotte.  Anjelica has been immersed in flamenco literally her entire life and a flamenco highlight was her acceptance into the prestigious choreographic competition in Madrid, Spain in 2013 where she premiered her own original choreography in Madrid, with Valerie as her mentor, and creative inspiration.  Valerie loves performing with Anjelica who was named co-Artistic Director of Ritmo Flamenco in 2013 upon the premiere of their critically acclaimed work, ” Danzas Sagradas”.  

Valerie loves the art of teaching and besides cultivating and core group of 50-75 students since 1995, she continues to work with professional dance students at the National Ballet School of Canada for Cecchetti Day and has created works for Cawthra Secondary School and other professional dance schools.    She was Principal of the Umbrella Dance Program at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada for several years and presently has a satellite studio in Prince Edward County where she has enjoyed bringing her art form to rural places.    Her Toronto school keeps her busy as there are classes running almost every day of the week.  Presently, she has a strong online presence and has a full roster of classes running weekly on Zoom.  

“Flamenco concerts can sometimes be formulaic, but Ritmo Flamenco refuses to fall into that trap.”

“The talented dancers rivet the eye with their commitment and Valeria, as always is a compelling performer.”

Paula Citron – The Globe and Mail

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The Dance Company 

The Ritmo Flamenco Dance and Music Ensemble was formed in 1995 by Valerie Scannura (Artistic Director, choreographer) and Roger Scannura (Music Director, flamenco guitarist).  Their daughter, Anjelica Scannura is Co-Artistic Director and is an award-winning choreographer and dancer.

Since its inception, they have enthralled audiences in music and dance festivals worldwide.  The company strives to create original concepts woven seamlessly into their productions with artists they have mentored, while continually going to the source by travelling to Spain.  They have garnered a strong reputation for their authentic brand of flamenco that is bred in the bone, ensuring their presentations are marked with the Scannura’s outstanding level of excellence.

“Valeria is always a compelling performer. Her dancers rivet the eye with their commitment.” Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail.