Gloria

Since 1996, Gloria María Verdugo, director of performing group Garra Flamenca, felt it would be meaningful to the community to present a cultural experience of flamenco art by means of a dance program that would complement and promote a broader, expanded understanding and appreciation of the roots of Hispanic music and dance culture with all its varied and rich components.

Gloria María is known for her personal interpretation and conception of the art of flamenco. Her earlier academic dance training began by structuring a special major in flamenco performance at Fresno State University under the direction and guidance of world-class flamenco guitarist and maestro Juan Serrano. She continued her studies at various colleges in California and at the University of Albuquerque New México's National Flamenco Institute. Her dance studies locally include classical ballet with ballet mistress Shirley Winters at the Cynthia Merrill Performing Arts Center where Gloria María teaches flamenco. Her flamenco dance training comes from world-class artists and teachers Juan Serrano, Georgia 'La Canela,' Concha Vargas; Juana Amaya; 'La Meira,' Pablo Rodarte, Anibal Díaz, Joaquín Encinias, Omayra Amaya, Belén Maya, Andrés Marín, Marta del Mar Moreno, and Andrés Peña.. Her classical Spanish dance training comes from Pablo Rodarte. Most recently, she returned from Sevilla, Spain having spent two months at the Manuel Betanzos Academia de Flamenco training under international performer and master teacher Manuel Betanzos.

She is currently the director and principal dancer of 'Garra Flamenca.' She and her dancers have consistently performed for 'La Peña' at Arte Américas's Summer Music Series, Fresno Art Museum, Danzantes Unidos National Conference, The Fresno Friends of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and other large prestigious valley fundraising, educational and political events.

As an educator, her goal is to cultivate, teach and demonstrate how individuals can become a "cultural force" through the expression and interpretation of dance and music."