Learn More About Zermeño Dance Academy

Zermeño Dance Academy is a unique and diverse performing arts studio, under the direction of Daniela Zermeño.  With over 120 students and counting, ZDA specializes in flamenco.  The studio participates heavily in Santa Barbara’s annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebration, as well as theater productions throughout California, public events, parades, restaurant entertainment and private events such as weddings, fundraisers and corporate events.  Students ages range from 2 years to adults, all ages and levels are welcome!

Like its Director Daniela, Zermeño Dance Academy has a youthful staff of 7 dance instructor, all of which are members of the ZDA Company and train under Daniela. Zermeño Dance Academy’s goal is to give each student a solid dance foundation while offering a fun and positive atmosphere to teach our students responsibility, commitment and creative expression.  We encourage all students to build self confidence by performing and giving back to our community through dance in Santa Barbara.

About Daniela Zermeño

Daniela Zermeño was born and raised in Santa Barbara and began dancing at the age of 4, studying flamenco at a local dance studio. Her love for this passionate art form pushed Daniela and her family to travel throughout the US during her childhood, to study with numerous professional dancers and instructors such as; Domingo Ortega, María Juncal, Alfonso Losa, Nino de los Reyes, Inmaculada Ortega, Adela Campallo, Concha Jareño and Pastora Galván. 
She began her professional career at 8 years old, performing under the direction of LA’s renowned flamenco instructor, Roberto Amaral.  Through her young career Daniela danced in countless theater productions, restaurant shows, private events, commercials and instructional videos, all throughout the US.
At age 12 Daniela had a strong desire to teach flamenco classes and pulled together her first group of students. As her passion for teaching grew she went on to form her Academy  “Zermeño Dance Academy” (formerly known as “Fuego Gitano”).  Throughout High School, Daniela successfully ran a flamenco dance academy while also studying jazz, hip hop, lyrical to expand her knowledge of dance.
As Daniela’s passion for dance has evolved over the years, so have her professional career and her business. Aside from performing regularly in theater productions in Los Angeles, her dance studio, Zermeño Dance Academy, has grown tremendously through the years and is now comprised of over 100 dancers studying in several different genres. In recent years over Zermeño Dance Academy has become a staple in the Santa Barbara dance community.

-A few facts-
Including its Director, Zermeño Dance Academy has had 17 of its dancers chosen to represent Santa Barbara as the prestigious title of Spirit and Jr. Spirit of Fiesta as well as several Finalists each year:

2024 Spirit of Fiesta – Georgey Taupin
2024 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta – Aleenah Soriano
2023 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Olivia Nelson
2022 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Layla Gocong
2022 Spirit of Fiesta- Tara Mata
2021 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Savannah Hoover
2020 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Alexandra Nocker
2019 Spirit of Fiesta- Sophia Cordero
2019 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Paloma Valenzuela
2018 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Georgey Taupin
2016 Spirit of Fiesta- Alexis Simentales
2016 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Sarah Naretto
2015 Spirit of Fiesta- Alexandra Freres
2014 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta- Natalie Mowers
2010 Spirit of Fiesta- Erika Martin Del Campo
2009 Spirit of Fiesta- Daniela Zermeño
1998 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta – Ryan Zermeño

Zermeño Dance Academy boasts the 2017 and 2018 SB Teen Dance Star, Sophia Cordero as well as 2017 top 3 Finalists Tara Mata and Natalie Mowers.

ZDA’s Company dancers (ages 14-25) performs professionally in Los Angeles with world renowned Flamenco dancers hailing from Jerez, Sevilla and Madrid Spain.

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