Susana, the Spirit of Flamenco
January 2010 brought a sad note to NBS, as we said farewell to a beloved former teacher, Susana Audeoud. Known to everyone at NBS as “The Spirit of Flamenco”, she passed away on January 1 at the age of 93.
For almost twenty years Susana, and her partner in life and music, Antonio Robledo, brought magic to the school with their inspired teaching and passion for the art of Flamenco.
Susana’s artistry was immortalized in the Oscar winning short film Flamenco at 5:15 which is available to view online at the National Film Board of Canada’s website.
The 1995 NBS Spring Showcase performance included “Jardin de Alegrias”, a tribute to Susana and Antonio.
On January 14th the NBS community celebrated Susana’s life by watching Flamenco at 5:15 in Mona Campbell Square, introducing a whole new generation to Susana’s creative spirit.
The Dancer
| Denn tanzen muss sie. Dem tollen Rad verflochten Gliedert sie Chaos Schwendet Quellen, Stampft zuckende Krater. Im Drang Des grossen Taktes Tanzt sie Gestirne. — Bess Brenck-Kalischer |
Because she must dance. Enlaced into the mad wheel She arranges chaos Clears springs, Stomps quivering craters. In the urge Of the great pulse She dances stars. — Obituary Zurich, January 1, 2010 |
Farewell to Susana
“…To Susana and Antonio Robledo who taught our little Canadian selves to syncopate, spiral, and ‘feel the earth’…”
— Jill Johnson, Class of ’87“I will be forever grateful to have been taught by Susana and her husband Antonio. Their spanish classes were some of my favorite memories from NBS as a student, where Susana’s beautiful spirit and inner fire infused me with an indelible love for dance.”
— Martine Lamy, Class of ’82 & TTP Class ’08“When I thought back over my time with Susana, of the many wonderful memories a few fun ones came to mind mostly through her use of language. ‘Open za holes, spray out za feets!’, she would say to get us to feel open and one with the earth. ‘Cathédrale’, pronounced as in French to express a weighty carriage of the body moving forward. Susana had an infectious joy for dance, an intensity both compelling and engaging. She was honest to her core, soulful and true.”
— Jeremy Ransom, Class of ’78
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jannieberggren
I am not a dancer but I recently found Flamenco at 5:15 on Air Canada and I just wanted to share with all of you how wonderful it is what you do and how much it means to us poor seat bound slobs to watch you dance and learn from these masters. I am saddened to hear of Susana’s passing but I know she lived life to the fullest. 93! Amazing! Please know that what you do as dancers does transcend time and space. I have shared the film with my wife who trained in ballet in London. She loves it very much, we got married in ’83 so it is fascinating to think of where the dancers in the film have gone in their lives and careers. Why aren’t they listed in the credits in the film? Again, please know that what you do as dancers is appreciated even by redneck Alberta cowboys. Keep bringing life to us!
I too was saddened by the news of Susana’s passing. I was a student of hers in the 1980′s – Susana, along with her husband, Antonio, certainly changed my life. After leaving ballet, I was determined to study the Spanish language. I got my degree in Hispanic Studies and then packed my bags to head for Spain – somewhere I had dreamed of visiting since meeting Susana and Antonio. After my stay in Spain in 1998, I had a chance encounter with them at a performance in Zurich. It was my opportunity to finally give thanks to them – in Spanish! I now live in Madrid, I am married to a “grana’ino” and have two kids who will soon speak Spanish better than I ever will. I am a Spanish teacher, though they tend to speak Spanish quite well around here (ha!)… so, for the time being, I am happy just to be living in a place that was so passionately described to me so many years ago by two truly inspirational teachers.