JoDe Romano

JoDe Romano “La Chispa” is a flamenco and Spanish dance artist, choreographer, educator, and castanet specialist with an extensive international performing and teaching career.

A graduate of Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts, Romano performed with Houston Grand Opera and in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and on tour in Japan. She also appeared in a Metropolitan Opera gala with the Three Tenors. Romano lived, studied, and performed in Spain and Japan for more than 20 years and was a soloist with the José Greco Dance Company, performing at The Joyce Theater, Town Hall, and on tours throughout the United States and Spain.

As an educator, Romano has taught flamenco, Spanish dance, and castanets to children, adults, and professional and pre-professional dancers throughout the New York metropolitan area. Her teaching credits include Alvin Ailey, Ballet Hispánico, Joffrey Ballet School, Joffrey summer intensives, 92NY Harkness Dance Center, Hunter College, New York City public schools, NYU/NYSDEA, New York City Center’s Fall for Dance, and The Joyce Theater Foundation. She is a graduate of 92NY’s Dance Education Laboratory and has co-developed and taught DEL workshops.

Romano has choreographed theatrical and dance productions, including Rita Hayworth: Hollywood Goddess, numerous Zarzuelas, Picasso’s Guernica, and La Jota Dolores for Ballet Hispánico pre-professional students. She has also created instructional resources in Spanish dance, flamenco, and castanet technique.