Dancing flamenco is typically very costly. Because shoes are made and imported from Spain, they can cost between $100 to $300 and costumes can go over $500. Still, the expense never deterred Bello from continuing her passion.
Bello participates in many competitions and showcases with her dance school Flamenco del Sol. One of her most recent showcases was Fusion Fest, a dance showcase held in downtown Orlando that exhibits many types of dance styles. Typically, Bello participates in group competitions with her dance academy, but her most recent competition, PTA Reflections, led her to explore a new challenge: a solo choreographed by herself.
Bello found out about the PTA Reflections in late October, her mom got an email from the school and asked if she wanted to participate. Bello did so on a whim, only having 5 days to choreograph, practice and film her entry.
“It was very stressful. I found out late into submissions about the competition and I could only practice for one hour each day. At that time I also had to practice for other recitals so I ended up filming the entry the day before it was due,” Bello said.
A month after submissions were due, Bello learned she was school winner and would be moving on to the district level, but it came as a surprise when she qualified for states.