The mission of the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater is to preserve, promote, and present the Flamenco, Folkloric, Classical, Escuela Bolera and Contemporary Dance and Music traditions of Spain which includes the exploration of the country's history and identifies its influence on Latin American art and heritage as living sources of cultural pride and education.Founded in 1974 by Dame Libby Komaiko, the Company was incorporated in 1976, and built an artistic residency program with Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). Today, the Company is a critically acclaimed performance ensemble that has toured nationally and internationally, and is considered one of the city's most dynamic arts organizations.Through educational outreach that spans kindergarten to college-level students, the Company provides artistic residencies and creative partnerships that offer dance instruction to youth, presents lecture/demonstration and performance programs to school-age children, and offers meaningful scholarship opportunities to youth and adult company members. The company maintains its commitment of using performance experience as an education tool.Specialties: The Ensemble has appeared in a broad range of television, opera, film, and symphonic formats including with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra