Ronaldo
Flamenco dancer and percussionist.
Flamenco dancer and percussionist, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his artistic formation in April 2006 with Antonio Santaella, a dancer and choreographer from Granada, Spain. Since December 2006, Monge has worked in various “tablaos” of the capital city, including “Barrachina,” “El Chotis,” “Divino Bocadito,” “Casa Botín,” “Bar Gitano,” and “El Mesón La Guitarra”.
In 2007, Ronaldo became a member of the flamenco company Mozaico Almudéjar, directed by Antonio Santaella, in which he performed at various festivals and musical scenic plays, to name a few:
“El Crimen fue en Granada”; Francisco Arriví Theater, Santurce—Nov, 2007
“Flamenco en Nuestra Sangre”; Raúl Juliá Theater, MAPR, Santurce—June, 2008
“ Politechnic University Theater, Hato Rey“, April 2008
“ Sol Theater, San Germán – “March, 2009
“Yagüez Theater, Mayagüez,“ Nov. 2009
“Semana Internacional de la Danza”; Francisco Arriví Theater, Santurce —May, 2009
“Francisco Arriví Theater, Santurce,“ May, 2010
“Centro of Bellas Artes, Santurce,“ June, 2011
“La Pasión del Flamenco…Tradición, Encuentro y Cultura Nuestra”
“Noche de Flamenco y Poesía,” Ateneo Puertorriqueño, San Juan —June, 2010
“Réquiem por Federico García Lorca,” José A. Giovannetti Theater, Yauco, Feb. 2011
– Raúl Juliá Theater, MAPR, Santurce – May, 2010
“ Raúl Juliá Theater, MAPR, June, 2011
In January 2010, he co-produced the show “Entre la Ida y la Vuelta” at Nuyorican Café, Old San Juan, with dancers Vivian Bruckman and “La Coralillo.” These were sold-out shows, and they marked the beginning of the flamenco company “La Compañía.” Along with the company, Monge performed in various venues (e.g., Ponce Art Museum), and together they co-produced another show in February 2011 called “De Tablao… La Pasión del Flamenco” at the Bóveda Triana in Old San Juan.
In July 2011, he relocated to the great city of Chicago, IL, and immediately merged into the flamenco scene, becoming part of Chiara Mangiameli’s Ensemble. He has also performed as a soloist and made guest artist appearances with ensembles like Las Guitarras de España, Spanish Guitar, El Payo, and Guitarra Azul, as well as in other states like Flamenco Sur, California.
“Evening of Music and Dance,” Skokie Theater, Skokie, IL—Dec, 2011
“A Través del Espejo,” Vittum Theater, Chicago, IL —May, 2012
Brookdale College, New Jersey, Oct. 2012
La Gran Tapa, San Diego, California “Dec. 2012
Penn State University, Erie, PA”; “Sept. 2013
Chicago Flamenco Festival, Chicago, IL”; Feb. 2014
His dance education includes San Juan, PR; San Diego, CA; Sevilla, ES; Chicago, IL; and the Flamenco Festival of Albuquerque, NM, with such artists as Jossette Reily, Cihitli Ocampo “La Gillardi,” Juan de los Reyes “El Torombo,” “Farruquito,” Carmen Ledesmas, Carmela Greco, Vida Peral, Miguel Vargas, Jose Barrios, Rafael Campallo, Alfonso Losa, Olga Pericet, Jeanne D’arc Casas, and Chiara Mangiameli.
Ronaldo is currently living in Chicago, IL, and performs in monthly venues like Café BaBaReeba, Bulerías Tapas, and Bordel. To make sure you have Ronaldo Monge’s latest performance schedule, follow him on Facebook today.
Photography by Steve Hudson