ABOUT US
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jackie MacLin
Executive Director
Jackie MacLin has a background in Flamenco dance instruction and the performing arts. Jackie has extensive dance training in Flamenco, Classical Spanish, Mexican Folk, Ballet, and Jazz, and has also been involved in musical theatre as a featured dancer and choreographer. She is director and founder of Dances of Spain, operating as an independent flamenco instructor at Kirkland Dance Center, International Ballet Academy, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Jackie also produces her own creative works in addition to specializing in visiting flamenco artists, workshop production and volunteer coordination. Connecting Seattle’s flamenco community is Jackie’s strength and she has gained the trust and confidence of her colleagues, as well as the visiting artists she hosts.
Eve Salonen
Co-Director
Eve Salonen began her relationship with movement and dance in Finland as a young girl, focusing primarily on aesthetic group gymnastics. In addition to training and competing in aesthetic group gymnastics, she spent many years studying ballet technique and jazz dance. As her gymnastic career came to an end in her mid 20’s, Eve was swept away by flamenco. During her 20 years of career in flamenco arts, Eve has studied with many distinguished flamenco artists and has choreographed for groups of intermediate and advanced level students and continues to teach students in these levels. She has worked in many flamenco companies in Finland and performed in theaters and tablaos in Seattle WA, where she currently resides. Eve specializes and has an expertise for the use of flamenco props, such as the bata de cola skirt (skirt with a long train), manton de Manila (big shawl) and the abanico (hand fan). Always striving to improve and grow, she continues her Flamenco education both in the United States and Spain. Eve collaborates with many Seattle-based flamenco artists and groups. In 2019, Eve founded her flamenco school Flamenco Boreal, and she is a co-founder of Northwest Flamenco Academy opening in 2024.
Amelia Moore
Co-Director
Amelia got her professional start at the age of 17 as a Belly Dance soloist, vocalist and Palmera with World Music and Dance group Children of the Revolution. After earning a degree in Spanish and Dance from the University of Washington and earning a 500 hr Yoga Teaching Certification, she decided to dedicate herself fully to Flamenco. She co-founded Oleaje Flamenco in 2009, and since then has shared the stage with invited guest artists such as Luis de la Tota (Jerez de la Frontera/percussion), Israel Heredia (Granada/guitar), Jose del Faro (Barcelona/cante), Joaquin Gallegos (Santa Fe/guitar), and Ana Rosa Meneses (Cuba/baile). Amelia was also a featured Flamenco dance soloist in Arizona Theater Company’s critically acclaimed musical Man of La Mancha in their 2017-2018 season. Amelia has studied intensively in a mentorship capacity with many master flamenco teachers, and travels regularly to further her flamenco studies both in Spain and in United States. She currently performs and teaches flamenco and yoga full-time and recently opened Flamenco Haven, a community Flamenco school, in the Seattle area.
Jed Miley
Director of Development
Jed Miley is a guitarist, composer, and producer based in Seattle, WA. He first began his Flamenco journey studying with maestro Marcos Carmona in 1995. His work with Marcos sparked a lifelong interest in Flamenco music, and thus traveled to Spain several times to learn from incredible guitarists. Jed has lived and worked in New York with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and performed, toured, and acted as a teaching artist with the company for three years. Since returning to Seattle at the end of 2012, he has been playing with Oleaje Flamenco and performing around town. Jed received his master’s degree in educational administration with a focus on nonprofit leadership from Seattle university in 2019.
Deborah Katz
Board Member, Secretary
Deborah Katz has studied belly dance, Japanese martial arts and Flamenco for her entire adult life. The community that surrounds these art forms, as well as broadened cultural understanding, keep her coming back for more. When asked why she studies flamenco, the seed was probably planted in her earliest years seeing flamenco artists on the Ed Sullivan show. She is a Seattle native but lived for many years on the east coast, as well as in the Philippines. The problem solving skills she developed as a health care provider and mother of four come in handy as a member of the Espacio board.
Paulina Chalita
Community Outreach Director
Paulina’s passion has always been Flamenco, from the age of 5. Her lifetime of experience started in Las Cabales (Guadalajara, Mexico) where she danced under the direction of Hilda Prats. Later on, she continued her studies mainly at Madrid’s Flamenco Center: Amor de Dios (Spain) where she has learned from the best. Since 2015, Paulina owns and runs her own Flamenco Studio in Redmond called Semilla Flamenca. She is the author of the Children’s book: Elena Dances Flamenco / Elena baila flamenco.
Ben Phipps
Board Member, Technical Manager
Ben Phipps has been playing flamenco guitar since the turn of the millenium. He has performed regularly as both a soloist and accompanist for groups and shows such as Dances of Spain, La Pena Flamenco de Seattle, and Caras de Flamenco. He has studied and performed in Madrid, Seville, Philadelphia, New York, Albuquerque, and Seattle. Ben has a degree in classical guitar from Cornish College of the Arts, and he stills whips out the Bach from time to time. In order to support his musical passions, he also runs a thriving house painting business. Currently he is working on posting videos and audio to his youtube channel.
Daniela Serrano
Board Member
A long time interest in Spanish art and culture combined with a background in competitive figure skating and dance was the foundation for Daniela’s initial enthusiasm for flamenco. This has led to a dedicated study with some of the finest dancers in the U.S. and Spain, and an appreciation for all aspects of this rich art form. In addition to her work with Espacio de Arte, she performs with her group Cuadro Azahar Flamenco, and was a featured soloist and choreographer for the Peña Flamenca de Seattle under the direction of Rubina Carmona. Daniela teaches and hosts training drills for flamenco dancers in her home studio, and works as an occupational therapist and wellness trainer for older adults.
Katya nechaeva
Board Member, Treasurer
Katya started learning flamenco in Russia in 2013. Ever since, it took a firm place in her heart. After moving to Seattle in 2015, she continued learning with different teachers in Seattle and beyond. She enjoys combining flamenco with other art forms and spreading passion and knowledge about flamenco to those around. A professional accountant and auditor with a non-profit background, Katya brings necessary expertise in reporting and taxation to the Espacio board.