Julia Chacón was born in Albuquerque, NM and raised in Phoenix, AZ. She trained extensively in ballet, and started Spanish dance at age 12 with Lydia Torea (former principal soloist with José Greco). Julia graduated from the University of New Mexico where she studied modern dance with
Bill Evans and flamenco with
Eva Encinas Sandoval. Throughout college she attended New Mexico's
Festival Flamenco, arguably the most prestigious flamenco event outside of Spain. Exposure to artists such as
Eva Yerbabuena, the
Farruco Family,
Antonio Canales,
Belen Maya,
Mayte Martin,
el Extremeño, and
el Viejin changed the direction of her life.
After college Julia moved to Madrid, Spain to study at
Amor de Dios studios. She returned to the US and joined
María Benítez' Teatro Flamenco (Santa Fe, NM) with whom she performed four seasons and worked with
Inmaculada Ortega,
Antonio Granjero,
Juan Siddi,
Antonio Andrade,
Pedro Cortes, Chuscales, and others.
She completed 6 national tours with
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Sanana (NY) working with artists such as
Antonio Hidalgo,
Matias Lopez Exposito,
Gaspar Rodriguez,
Andres Peña,
Carlos Rodriguez,
Angel Rojas, and others.
Since 2012 she has split her time between the US and Seville, Spain where she she performs with
José Galván y su Cuadro, with whom she appeared at the
Peña Torres Macarena. In Spain she has also performed with
Jesus de Utrera, Tudela, Alvaro Gomez,
Chabuca, Maria Jose Luna, and others in Seville, Galicia, Huelva, and Madrid. In 2013 she was featured in,
Tranquilo Hombre, a short film, shot in Seville, about a flamenco dancer who continues to dance, despite becoming disabled.
Julia has taught nationally in private studios and public school art education programs. She has written and co-written six Spanish Dance curriculums that have been implemented in New Mexico, New York, and North Carolina schools. She was a featured presenter at the
National Dance Education Organization National Conference in 2010 (Tempe, USA) and she has touched the lives of thousands of children through classes and lecture demonstrations.
Julia splits her time between Seville, Spain; Santa Fe, NM; and Phoenix, AZ where she directs
Inspiración Flamenca and performs with
Flamenco por la Vida and
Jacome Flamenco. Her choreography was performed in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Shanghai Opera House (performed by Chinese dancer Lydia Xie). She has performed in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and over 100 cities in 36 states throughout the USA.