Youth Committee
CPM’s Youth Committee is composed of members of our youth ensemble, Las Flamenkas, headed by emerging artist Amari Leiva Urzua. The function of the Youth Committee is to give voice to the young artists who form our Emerging Artist Ensemble Las Flamenkas, providing them with agency to lead the design of their program, to share their ideas with the Board and CPM, and to give feedback on how to make our youth engagement programs more relevant and youth-led.
A Las Flamenkas ensemble emerging artist of the Youth Committee is nominated by the ensemble to represent them on CPM’s Board. The Youth Committee meets every two months, and the Youth Committee leader relays their minutes to the CEO and CPM Board for action.
Who we are
Amari Leiva-Urzua – Western Sydney, Early Career Artist (Born 2006)
Amari Leiva-Urzua is an 18-year-old emerging Flamenco artist from Western Sydney. She began her professional dance training at age nine under the mentorship of acclaimed choreographer Pepa Molina, while also studying Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance at Sonja Dene. Since 2017, Amari has performed at numerous festivals and events, including the Sabores Spanish Festival (2018–2019), The Spanish Film Festival (2017), The Spot Festival (2018–2019), Festival of Cultures (2019), and theatre productions such as Toma k Toma (2018) and A Compás (2019).
She made her professional debut in 2019 at La Guarida del Ángel in Jerez, Spain, and became the first Australian to win First Prize and a scholarship in the Junior section of the Concurso Internacional de Baile Flamenco Puro Festival de Jerez (2020). Her Flamenco studies in Spain included training with masters such as La Lupi, Chiqui de Jerez, Alfonso Losa, La Truco, Javier Latorre, and Paloma Gomez, enriching her technical and stylistic foundation.
Amari has consistently participated in FORM projects’ Sharp Short Dance, receiving multiple awards: Most Outstanding Female Dancer (2019, 2021) and Most Innovative Choreography (2020) for her dance film Al Mal Tiempo, as well as recognition for Tempus (2021) and Trasano (2022). She was also a finalist and award winner in the III Concurso Internacional de Jóvenes Talentos EFA (2022), connecting her with the international Flamenco community.
As a member of Compañía Pepa Molina’s Flamenco Ensemble Las Flamenkas, she has performed in Out of Iso Again (2021–2022), with the ensemble at venues including Monkey Baa Theatre, Marrickville Hellenic Arts Theatre, and Goulburn Performing Arts Theatre. More recently, she participated in FlamencoBITS (2024) and A Taste of Spain and All In for Sydney Festival 2025.
Emilia Hanna -Western Sydney - Emerging artist (Born 2007)
Emilia started her Flamenco journey in 2014 at the age of 7 at Los Carmonas until 2019. She danced at Tapas restaurant, community festivals, performed at the Royal Easter show and danced at the Portuguese festival. In 2019, she participated in workshops with Pepa Molina, and in 2019, she had the opportunity to watch Pepa Molina in concert and rediscovered her passion for Flamenco dance, joining Pepa’s academy in 2020. In 2022, Emilia joined Las Flamenkas after two years of upskilling & mentoring & has performed at numerous Festivals & events with the ensemble. Most recently, she has formed part of “FlamencoBITS” 2024 & “A Taste of Spain” & “All in” as part of Sydney Festival 2025.
Lily Cook Western Sydney - Emerging artist (Born 2006)
Lily started dancing Flamenco in 2010 at the age of three with Jesica Varela, “Sangre Gitana”, until 2014. From 2015 until 2019, Lily studied with Tamara De Bruno & performed with Erika Quintana, a professional dancer from Spain, during her short stay in Australia. Lily has performed fusion of Aboriginal and Flamenco dance with Henrieta Baird, who is of Aboriginal descent & at Multicultural Festivals such as: Darling Harbour “Fiesta” Festival, Uruguayan Independence Day Festival & The Royal Easter Show. In 2020, Lily joined Pepa Molina Flamenco Dance Academy, where she is mentored. In 2021, Lily went on to form part of Flamenco Ensemble “La Flamenkas”, performing at Festivals & corporate events & in CPM’s 2021 production ‘Las Flamenkas with Live music’ at GPAC, ARA DQ Theatre, and Hellenic Arts Theatre. Most recently, she has formed part of “FlamencoBITS” 2024 & “A Taste of Spain” as part of Sydney Festival 2025.
Sophia Marrotta- Fujiwara - Western Sydney - Emerging artist (Born 2007)
Sophia began dancing flamenco at 3 years of age and immediately fell in love with it. She studied at Los Carmonas for 9 years, and in 2022, she began mentorship at Pepa Molina’s Dance Academy. She forms part of Flamenco Ensemble Las Flamenkas and has debuted in the company’s 2024 production “FlamencoBits” as well as performing at numerous Festivals & events. Most recently performing in “A Taste of Spain” as part of Sydney Festival 2025.
