BIOGRAPHY
Mina Fajardo was born in Japan. She is a singer-songwriter and composer renowned as a flamenco dancer, playwright, choreographer, and teacher. She teaches flamenco dancing and singing at several schools, including SFCC, Moving Arts Espanola, and Española Public School. In the past 38 years, she has choreographed and performed more than 5,000 concerts.
Mina Valle Fajardo, “Mina,” has received extensive training in flamenco, Escuela bolero, Jazz, Tap, and ballet. Mina has received flamenco training from El Guito, Carmela Greco, Ciro, La Tati, La China, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, Isabel Bayon, Rafaela Carrasco, Pastora Galvan, Karime Amaya, Mercedes de Cordoba, Nazaret Reyes, Jose Maya, Ursula Lopez, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, Concha Vargas, Eva La Yerbabuena, Farruquito, La Lupi, Andres Marin, Joaquin Ruiz, and Keiko Issiki.
She has taught in the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts, Northern New Mexico University, Santa Fe Community College, Eva Encinias Sandoval’s National Institute of Flamenco, Nava Elementary School, Sweeney Elementary School, James A Rodriguez Elementary School, Chimayo Elementary School, Carlos Vigil Middle School, The New Mexico Academy of International School, Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe Danceworks, Moving Arts Española, Maria Vazquez Flamenco Denver, The Spanish Institute of Dance in Houston, Texas, and Fazil Dance Studio & Japanese Chamber of Commerce in New York City.
Fajardo has performed in Japan, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Houston, Maryland, Tulsa, and Albuquerque, and has made several television appearances in Manhattan, New Mexico, Japan, and Spain. In Santa Fe, she has performed at the Santa Fe Opera and the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival at the Lensic Theatre.
She has performed with many artists, including Elena Andujar, El Pripi, La Tibu, Carmen Rasarao, Chuscales, YiYi, Silverio Heredia, Tequila de Jerez, Omayra Amaya, Jose Cortes, Manuel Gutierrez, Kina Mendez, Jose Cortes, Juan Siddi, Raquel & Amparo Heredia and Keiko Isshiki.
She choreographed and performed in many productions, including “Guitar and Tree” (2024), “Holiday Flamenco” (2023), “Flamenco Passion” (2023), “Chuscales at Tulesa” (2023), “Sleeping Woman Mountain” (2023), “The Four Seasons & Poetry of Antonio Machado” (Santa Fe, NM, 2022), “Memories of Doña Tules” (Santa Fe, NM, 2021), “ Orange & Lemon” (Santa Fe, NM, 2021), “Tree of Life” (Santa Fe, 2020, “Gypsy Moon & Stars” (Santa Fe, 2019), “Monet’s Moon 2019” (Santa Fe. 2019), “Tulsa Jazz” (Tulsa, OK. 2019), “Felia de Abril” (2019), “Holiday Dream” (Santa Fe, 2019), “Monet’s Moon” (2019) “Carmen La Golondrina” (Santa Fe, NM 2018), “The Little Match Girl” (Santa Fe, NM 2017), “Dance with Spirit” (Santa Fe, NM 2017), “Illusions in Arts “Calligraphy & Choreography” (Santa Fe, NM 2017), “Romance de la Luna “ (Santa Fe, NM, 2016), “Una Nota de Lorca” (Santa Fe, NM 2016), “Gypsy Book” (Santa Fe, NM 2015), “Flamenco Masters at Cleo Parker.
Robinson Theatre” (Denver, CO 2015), “Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival 2015” (Houston, TX 2015), “Flamenco X3”(Santa Fe, NM 2015), “Gypsy Passion”(Santa Fe, NM 2014), “Flamenco Fiesta!” (Santa Fe, NM 2014 & 2013), “Forever in My Heart” (Santa Fe, NM 2013), “My Gypsy Soul” (Santa Fe, NM 2012), “Chuscales at Old Main, Boulder” (Boulder, CO 2011), “Chuscales y Mina Fajardo con Las Tres Mujeres” (Las Vegas. NM, 2010), “Chuscales Live at MIT” (Boston, MA 2009), Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, CO 2008), “Chuscales at Tubac” (Tubac, AZ 2007), “Soul del Arte Tradiciones e Innovaciones” (San Francisco, CA 2005), “Ainadamar, Landscapes and Impression” Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM 2005), “A Night of Flamenco Magic” Lakewood Cultural Center (Denver, CO 2005), “Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival” (Santa Fe, NM 2004 & 2001), The John E. Marlow Guitar Series “Flamenco Night” (Chevy Chase, MD 2004), SJC Multicultural Arts Series “Flamenco” (San Juan Capistrano, CA 2003).
She appeared in the films Flamenco Passion & Soul (1999), El Payo (2010), Españoles en el Mundo—Nuevo Mexico (2013), CNN Heroes Roger Montoya (2019), Univision—Salvador Ruiz (2022), and AARP-Roger Montoya (2023).
She teaches flamenco dance classes at Teatro Paraguas Studio and Moving Arts Española. She performs with Chuscales and her group at Local Tablaos & Theaters in Santa Fe, NM.
EDUCATION
COMPANY, STUDIO, SCHOOL
Festival Flamenco (Workshop, Albuquerque, NM 2001~2017)
Maria Benitez – The Institute for Spanish Arts (Santa Fe, NM)
National Institute of Flamenco (Albuquerque, NM)
El Guito (Spain)
Carmela Greco (Spain)
Ciro (Spain)
La Tati (Spain)
La China (Spain)
Alejandro Granados (Spain)
Yolanda Heredia (Spain)
Isabel Bayon (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Rafaela Carrasco (Maria Benitez, Special Guest workshop)
Pastora Galvan (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Jose Maya (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Ursula Lopez (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Adela Campallo (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Rafael Campallo (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Concha Vargas (Spain)
Eva La Yerbabuena (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Farruquito (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
La Lupi (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Andres Marin (Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque)
Joaquin Ruiz (Maria Benitez, Special Guest workshop)
Keiko Issiki (Tokyo, Japan)
Chuscales (Santa Fe, NM)
Savion Glover (NYC)
Barbara Duffy (NYC)
Stefan Hoff (NYC)
Fiesta Flamenca (NYC)
Spanish Dance Theater (NYC)
American Bolero Dance Company (NYC)
Liliana Morales Flamenco Arts (NYC)
NY Flamenco Arts (NYC)
Fazil Dance Studio (NYC)
Neubert Ballet (NYC)
Amor de Dios (Spain)
La Tona (Spain)
Steps (NYC)
Ballet Arts (NYC)
Broadway Dance Center (NYC)
David Howard Dance Center (NYC)
Sapporo Buyoukai Ballet Theater (Sapporo, Japan)
Yuko Nakamura Dance (Sapporo, Japan)
Kawamata Tap Dance (Tokyo, Japan)
K-Broadway Dance Center (Tokyo, Japan)
Hokkaido University, College of Medical Technology (Sapporo, Japan)
Japanese Chamber of Commerce (New York, NY)
PRESS REVIEWS
2018 Santa Fe Arts Journal: In the Studio with Chuscales & Mina Fajardo
2017 Taos News – Blazing Flamenco
2017 Albuquerque Journal Finding Connections – Flamenco meets Calligraphy
2015 Guitarist grew up listening to and playing flamenco rhythms in a cave
2014 Renowned flamenco guitarist found passion for music in family’s hilltop dwelling in Spain
2009 El Mundo Boston “Mina, Siddi offered as both a master input and coupling in Flamenco paintings, which were choreographed with great skill and ease……”
2009 Flamenco Buzz “Mina Fajardo’s talent as a dancer truly blossomed as a “flamenquita”………..”
2008 The Watch
2007 Rio Grande Sunio Grande Sun
2005 Albuquerque Journal
2005 Nichi Bei Times, Arts & Entertainment
1999 NHK, はじめよう英会話
1999 Kyodo News
1998 The New York Times
1998 The Village Voice
1998 Asahi Shimbun
1998 The Yomiuri America
1998 Yomiuri Shimbun
1998 OCS News
1998 Kyodo News
1998 Time Out
1998 El diario
1998 Noticias Del Mundo
1998 NY Dance Fax
1997 SPA
EXPERIENCE AS A DANCE TEACHER
NNMC – Northern New Mexico College (2015 ~ present)
SFCC – Santa Fe Community College (2015 ~present)
Casa Blanca Studio (Santa Fe Danceworks) (2014- Present)
Mina Fajardo and Chuscales Dance & Music Studio (2002-Present)
Moving Arts Española (2014~ Present)
Arte Flamenco De Santa Fe (2015)
Santa Fe High School (2014, 2015, 2016)
Nava Elementary School (2014)
The New Mexico Academy of International School (2014)
Maria Benitez-The Institute for Spanish Arts (2001-2007, 2013-2014)
Maria Vasquez Flamenco Denver (workshop, 2011 & 2016)
Juan Siddi Flamenco at Aspen Ballet (2008-2009, 2014)
The Spanish Institute of Dance in Houston ,TX (2006)
Santa Fe Community College (Substitute Teacher, 2001)
Santa Fe Sweeney Elementary School (2001)
Eva Encinias Sandoval – The National Institute of Flamenco (2001)
Japanese Chamber of Commerce – NTV & Yomiuri Culture Center (1999-2001)
Fazil’s Dance Studio (1994-2001)
EXPERIENCE AS A DANCER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Minako Fajardo Shibata-Valle “Mina Fajardo” has made more than 5000 shows and concerts over the past 35 years.
Past major concerts at the theater
“Guitar & Tree” (2024), “Holiday Flamenco” (2023), “Flamenco Passion” (2023), “Chuscales at Tulesa” (2023), “Sleeping Woman Mountain” (2023), “The Four Seasons & Poetry of Antonio Machado” (Santa Fe, NM, 2022), “Memories of Doña Tules” (Santa Fe, NM, 2021), “ Orange & Lemon” (Santa Fe, NM, 2021), “Tree of Life” (Santa Fe, 2020, “Gypsy Moon & Stars” (Santa Fe, 2019), “Monet’s Moon 2019” (Santa Fe. 2019), “Tulsa Jazz” (Tulsa, OK. 2019), “Felia de Abril” (2019), “Holiday Dream” (Santa Fe, 2019), “Monet’s Moon” (2019) “Carmen La Golondrina” (Santa Fe, NM 2018), “The Little Match Girl” (Santa Fe, NM 2017), “Dance with Spirit” (Santa Fe, NM 2017),
2017-2001 Regular Tablao Flamenco Show at San Estevan, El Farol, Los Mayas , El Meson, La Posada, Taos Inn, Galisteo Inn, Monte Sagrado (Santa Fe & Taos, NM)
“Fiesta de la Primavera” at Fuller Lodge (Los Alamos, NM)
“Renewable Energy Festival: Bringing Power to the People!” at NNMC Nick Salazar Center of the Arts Theater (Espanola, NM)
“Illusions in Arts “Calligraphy & Choreography” at Teatro Paraguas (Santa Fe, NM 2017)
“Romance de la Luna “ at Teatro Paraguas (Santa Fe, NM, 2016)
“Una Nota de Lorca” at Teatro Paraguas (Santa Fe, NM 2016), “Gypsy Book” (Santa fe, NM 2015)
“Flamenco Masters” at Cleo Parker Robinson Theater (Denver, CO 2015)
“Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival 2015” (Houston, TX 2015)
“Flamenco Festival de Santa Fe” (Santa Fe, 2015)
“Flamenco X3”(2015)
“Gypsy Passion”(2014)
“Flamenco Fiesta!” (2014 & 2013)
“Forever in My Heart” (Santa Fe, 2013)
“My Gypsy Soul” at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe (Santa Fe, 2012)
“Chuscales at Old Main, Boulder” at Boulder University (CO, 2011)
“Chuscales y Mina Fajardo con Las Tres Mujeres” (Las Vegas. NM, 2010)
“El Pintor” National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque, NM 2010 )
“Pachamama Carnaval” National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque, NM)
2009 “Chuscales Live at NNMC” (Española, NM 2010)
“Chuscales Live at MIT” (Boston, 2009)
“Telluride Jazz Festival” (Telluride, 2008)
“Chuscales at Tubac” (Tubac, AZ, 2007)
“Chuscales y Campania” Gig Performance Space (Santa Fe, NM 2006)
“Flamenco” (Houston, TX 2006)
“Soul del Arte Tradiciones e Innovaciones” (San Francisco, 2005)
“Ainadamar, Landscapes and Impression” Santa Fe Opera (2005)
“A Night of Flamenco Magic” Lakewood Cultural Center (Denver, CO, 2005)
“Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival” at The Lensic (2004 & 2001)
“Flamenco Con Gusto” The Santa Fe Fiesta Council, The Lensic Santa Fe’s Performing Arts Center (Santa Fe, NM 2004)
“The John E. Morlow Guitar Series, Flamenco Night!” (Chevy Chase, MD, 2004)
“SJC Multicultural Arts Series “Flamenco” (San Juan Capistrano, CA, 2003)
“Cuerpo y Alma” at South Broadway Cultual Center (Albuquerque, NM 2003)
Regular Tablao Flamenco Show at Alegrias, Meson Flamenco, Xunta etc. (New York, NY 2000~1996)
“Music & Arts Festival” NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs (NYC, NY 1998 & 1997)
“Pathmark Multicultural Arts Festival” (NJ, 1998)
“Off-Broadway Show” (New York, NY 1998)
“Passion Flamenca” SOB’s (NYC. 1997)
“Feria de Abril” (NYC, 1997)
“American Bolero Dance Company”, Carnegie Hall (NYC, 1996)
“Flamenco for Lovers” Presbyterian Church (NYC, 1995)
“Tablao “Casa Artista” Flamenco Show “(Tokyo, Japan 1994)
TV-FCI, Channel34, Channel 13, Channel 7, etc. (NYC 1998~1996)
PAST EVENTS
Past Events in Santa Fe, NM
Tablao Flamenco Show, in Santa Fe & Taos
Los Mayas losmayasrestaurante.com
El Farol www.elfarolsf.com
El Meson http://elmeson-santafe.com/
Casa Flamencao http://www.casaflamenca.org/
Old Martina’s Hall http://www.oldmartinashall.com/
Taberuna http://www.labocasantafe.com/
La Boca http://www.labocasantafe.com/
Cafe San Estevan
La Posada de Santa Fe laposada.rockresorts.com
Inn and Spa at Loretto www.innatloretto.com
Eldorado Hotel www.eldoradohotel.com
Galisteo Inn www.galisteoinn.com
Taos Inn in Taos www.taosinn.com
Joseph’s Table in Taos www.josephstable.com
El Monte Sagrado in Taos www.elmontesagrado.com
Corporate Events & Special Events, in Santa Fe, NM
PNM
del Norte Credit Union
Lincoln Financial Group
Posna – The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
St. Vincent Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of Psychiatry
Baylor College of Medicine
The University of New Mexico
Solvay Chemicals
Ingram Micro
Inter-Continental Hotel Owners Association
McDaniel Gallery
Spanish Colonial Museum
Peyote Bird Designs
Gerald Peters Gallery
Evoke Gallery
Museum of International Folk Arts
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
Fuller Lodge
Rising Moon Gallery
La Fonda Hotel
Hotel Santa Fe
La Posada de Santa Fe
El Dorado Hotel
Inn at Loretto Santa Fe
Loretto Chapel
San Miguel Mission
El Farol Santa Fe – Most Delicious!
elfarolsf.com
FILMS
“AARP – Roger Montoya” (2023)
“Univision – Salvador Ruiz” (2022)
“CNN Hero – Roger Montoya “ (2019)
“Españoles en el mundo – Nuevo Mexico” (2013)
“El Payo” (2010)
“Flamenco Passion & Soul” (1999)
