Rocio Ponce has dedicated body and soul to flamenco (and all forms of Spanish dance) for the past 18 years (spanish classical dance for 26 years), & other different forms of dance since she was 8 years old. A native of East Los Angeles & raised by her Veracruzano father, she has never forgotten her roots and is a firm believer in giving back. Toward that end, she has found that the arts are an important way to help at-risk teenagers in gang-infested neighborhoods achieve their highest potential. She uses the artistry and discipline of flamenco as a method for kids and teens to learn how to overcome challenges in their lives (and have fun at the same time!) through teaching or hosting activities in flamenco: dance, singing, percussion, & guitar.

Through programs sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, Rocio has taught in South Central Los Angeles; Watts; East Los Angeles; Lincoln Heights; Mid-City; Compton; Boyle Heights; Highland Park; and other districts; by introducing the children of these neighborhoods to a different cultural heritage, she teaches them about another environment outside of theirs. Rocio has also worked alongside with the California State Department of Mental Health teaching skills to abused children through dance movement therapy.

In addition to that, Rocio was invited to Zürich, Switzerland by their ‘department of children’s mental health’ to go into a children’s group home facility, for sexually abused children, to share & train employees, with hands on with the children, in ‘creative dance & theatre/theatrical therapy’ instructional methodical ideas, which included anger management skills, social skills, etiquette skills, & other skills to teach the children to open themselves up by using all elements of urban pop-culture, poetry, body stylized shapes & forms, musical theatre, skits, flamenco dance, & modern to creative dance which would slowly & safely have them face their fears through routinely performances.

This recreational therapy method would safely uncover a child’s tragic past & present, & bring about an emotionally healthier view & approach toward a harmonious future. Rocio’s methodical instructional goal approach would be to gradually reduce children’s psychotherapy medication dosages to the point where minimal to no approximate medication would be needed in order for the youth of today to function in their environments & bring about a normal and peaceful society to themselves.

Rocio has also worked with San Francisco State University in collaboration with the San Francisco Unified School District to teach Special Education skills in reading, grammar, English, math, social sciences, & literature using creative dance methods for children with learning disabilities.

In addition to performing, Rocio taught hip-hop, jazz, modern, and flamenco dance at the Los Angeles Music and Art School and the Arte Flamenco Dance Academy as well as various dance academies in Southern & Northern California, and has lead workshops & master instensive classes in Washington, Idaho, Utah, California, Florida, Nevada (Nevada Ballet Theatre - flamenco intensive series), Louisiana, Texas, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Argentina & in Greece where she recieved first place in the 'Kamulta Dance Festival' for best artistic direction in a group choreography fusing elements of Flamenco, Contemporary & Post Modern Dance, oriental dances of Egypt & Turkey with an emphasis in Indian Bharata Natyam & Kathak. She has also been an adjudicator at dance competitions as a member of Dance Masters of America Association & other dance associations. In the United States, her teachers include Emmy Award-winner Roberto Amaral (whom Rocio still studies with), Gabriela Garza, Sarita Ayala, and Yaelisa.

Rocio has also lived in Spain where she studied or will continue to study with 'flamenco masters' Juana Amaya, Manuel Betanzos, Los Farrucos, Candela Soto, Maria Magdalena, El Ciro, Domingo Ortega, and El Kiyo.

She has also studied dance at Edge Performing Arts Center, Hollywood CA. with Cindera Che, Malaya, Josie Walsh, Laura Fremont; has studied at Broadway Dance Center & San Francisco Dance Center, has performed jazz & modern dance in New York, across the nation, to Los Angeles & acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Ballet & Contemporary Modern Dance from one of the top ten dance programs in the United States in the 'School of the Arts'at California State University Long Beach with an emphasis in “Music”, “Improvisation & Choreography Performance”, as well as academia such as “Dance In Film”, “History of Dance”, “Stage Lighting Design”, “Costume Making Design”, & "Pilates for dancers" under the direction of Martha Graham's protege & principal dancer Susan McLain, Alvin Ailey alumni & disciplined in Lester Horton technique Ron Brown, previously Bill T.Jones company member Keith Johnson, award winner Doug Nielson, body biomechanics/Kinesiology with an emphasis in BASI pilates professor Dr. Karen Clippinger & costume designer Liz Pelster.

Rocio has also studied middle-eatern belly dance with Nana Candelaria in Berkeley, CA & with Jillina & The Sahlala Dancers from the Bellydance Superstars in Los Angeles, CA. & studied & performed with Raks Andalucia in Andalucia, Spain. Rocio also teaches different styles of fitness like Pilates & GYROTONIC® Expansion System, and is a certified personal trainer as well as AFAA certified (USA) & FEDA certified (Europe); Rocio currently teaches flamenco & fitness in locations in Los Angeles California & Las Vegas Nevada & uses high energetic motivation & patience to inspire.

Rocio enjoys learning flamenco from her peers, whether it is a dancer, singer, or musician--all have something to offer. She finds that one of the best ways for her to keep growing and perfecting her love for flamenco is by collaborating and choreographing with her contemporaries. In Sevilla, she created a modern flamenco piece in the palo of Tarantos that utilized five dancers and was filmed in the studio of Juana Amaya with Australian flamenco guitarist Ingmar Strath.

In California, she has performed to sold out audiences at the Fountain Theater, the Ivar Theater, the Ford Theater, the Luckman Theather, the La Jolla Gallery Theatre, the Anaheim Convention Center, The Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre, the Martha B. Knoebel Theater, the Electric Lodge, & the Skirball Cultural Center; & has been invited by the California Peña Andaluza to bring her dance team (company) to perform in the California version of the 'Feria de Sevilla' from Sevilla, Spain. Rocio performed in the sold out off-Broadway world premiere musical "Carmen" at the La Jolla Playhouse where she recieved critical acclaim by the 'San Diego North County Times'. She has also performed in Illinois, Idaho, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, Greece, Japan, Spain & Argentina either with other dance companies or as guest artist; been a member of Escencia Flamenca directed by Sara Parra, Pacifico Dance Company, & Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre Co, & now her own dance creation of teamed up talented members 'A Vivir El Momento Flamenco' currently in Los Angeles & also now in Las Vegas. Rocio performed at the University of Sevilla, Spain, in an important convention that paid tribute to the history of flamenco.

A highlight of her career was performing with Chati and her cuadro flamenco from Holland, and el cuadro gaditano del pueblo from the Sierra mountains in Ubrique-El Bosque Cadiz, Spain, where she paid a tribute to a well-known torero named Jesulin. Again, in Los Angeles, she has created a collaborative flamenco gathering team, 'A VIVIR EL MOMENTO FLAMENCO!', where her well respected colleagues (who currently perform) & students can share choreographic cuadro/group ideas in order to perform them live locally, nationally, & internationally.

A delightful fixture on the southern California flamenco scene, Rocio has charmed audiences at Spanish restaurant flamenco 'tablaos' such as El Cid, Costa Brava, La Luna Negra, Tapas, Cafe Sevilla, Sangria, Alegrias, Casa Escobar, Ole Tapas Restaurant, Cafe' Med, plus more. She currently freelances at various venues whether private, public, small or big functions and can currently be seen in different restaurant tablaos and theatre locations.

Aside from having a passion for the flamenco arts, Rocio has also dedicated her years as an 'actor', portraying a variety of roles from supporting, leads, to specialty acts; which include acting, singing, dancing in either Musicals, Television, Commercial, Music Videos, & Film; & is a union member of the 'Actors' Equity Association'. Rocio, in her punk rock genre AKA la bestia, has also been a front woman vocalist singer for old-school Los Angeles music groups such as Ollin, Media Blitz, Fuego Cafe & her contemporary punk rock-psychobilly-new age band ‘La Bestia’ with band members from ‘The Brat’, ‘Thee Undertakers’, & ‘The Peace Pills’ and has shared the stage, locally & through out the nation, with DRI, JFA, Dr. Know, Green Jello, Tiny Tim, Texas Terry, Betty Blow Torch, Aztlan Underground, Calavera, Boca De Sandia, Las Tres, Alice Bag, D.I. (plus too many to name) & moreover recieving critical acclaim from Punk Rock magazines such as Skratch, Flipside, & MaximumRock&Roll.

Rocio is a current cast member of Cirque du Soleil's Ka' portraying a comically endearing, big-sized nanny performing elements of 'Flamenco a la Comedia', acting, getting harnessed 130 feet above the stage; however, Rocio will continue her passion for ‘Flamenco Puro’ through performances, teaching, & educational outreach in California, Nevada, nation wide, & internationally as well as continue working in additional acting project activities and performing in her punk rock & roll music groups ‘Media Blitz’ & 'La Bestia' (with old-school Brat guitarist Rudy Brat & Tony Fingers from East Los Angeles).

A passionate, soulful and inventive dancer, Rocio has earned a reputation for fiery footwork and delicate gracia while performing with some of flamenco’s leading lights, including Gabriela Garza, Rafael Aragon, Gabriel Osuna, Clarita Corona, Jacobo Carranza, Antonio Triana, Juan Talavera, Jose Tanaka, Antonio De Jerez, Rosa De Huelva, Oscar Nieto, Pilar Moreno, Cristobal Osorio, Yolanda Arroyo, Paco Arroyo, Charo, Juan Moro, Lakshmi Basile, & Brizeyda Zarate.

“Rocio Ponce’s hip-hop-tinged bulerias was HOT!,” Planetflamenco.com said of one of her performances with Sara Parra's Escencia Flamenca, “and left the audience wanting more. Rocio puts her heart into everything she does. Do not be surprised if you see a fire extinguisher nearby when she performs; she has been known to leave the stage a pile of smoldering ember, with hoarse and spent admirers in her wake." San Diego North County Times wrote, "Floor-stomping tavern celebration in the second act (led by the marvelously talented Rocio Ponce). As a modern theatrical creation, Dragone’s "Carmen" is a breath of fresh air".