About the Master The winner of a prestigious professional development grant from The Canada Council for the Arts and the British Columbia Arts Council, Monique has recently returned from Spain where she studied dance with greats such as Ana Maria Lopez, Israel Galvan, La Truco, Maruja Palacio and Marco Flores, as well as cante (singing) with Coral de Los Reyes and El Talegon. Monique, ‘La Fiera’, Salez is a multi-talented, Victoria-based performer. A student of modern, jazz, ballet, theatre, voice, percussion and improvisation, Monique’s deepest passion lies in the art of flamenco. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to study flamenco dance with Carmen Romero, Maria Bermudez, Concha Vargas, Yaelisa, Oscar Nieto and Belen Maya. As a singer, dancer and choreographer she has performed and taught extensively with Alma de España under the direction of Veronica Maguire and Harry Owen. Her solo career has her teaching and performing across Northwest Canada, creating award winning choreographies with her group Flamenco Rebelde and deepening her study of the Cajon and Cante. Flamenco Rebelde performs every July at the famous Butchart Gardens and is featured this year as the opening act for The Victoria Symphony Splash. La Fiera’s diversity and strong stage presence is a magnet which draws an array of producers. She enjoys collaborating with such internationally renowned artists as modern choreographer/dancer Lynda Raino, with Constance Cooke of Viva Frida and most recently, with Ballet Victoria and independent international artists who promote Unity in Diversity, popularly known as Bella Canto. Monique’s approach is raw and expressive; she reaches within to find the heartbeat. Monique innovatively stretches the boundaries of flamenco, fusing it with elements of modern and hip-hop. < back to Master Class