Third generation Australian, Tomás Dietz grew up in the country town of Goulburn, New South Wales. On top of his rich heritage from Germany, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Spain is Tomás's clear identity as a flamenco - it is the spirit of this art form that defines him today.
After first studying flamenco guitar as a youngster, Tomás moved on to flamenco dance at age 23. He undertook professional studies in Spain under the world renowned maestros Ciro, Manolete, El Guïto, Juan Ramírez, Timo Lozano, Antonio Canales, Domingo Ortega, Merche Esmeralda, La Tati, María Magdalena and La China.
As a performer on stage his artful line, emotional depth and assertive zapateado combine to deliver the full force of pure flamenco.
Tomás Dietz performs Siguirillas with mantón.
Since his last professional development visit to Spain in 1997 Tomás has continued his work as a freelance dancer, choreographer and producer, presenting regularly to Australian audiences, most notably in the companies of: Antonio Vargas Flamenco Theatre; Diana Reyes Flamenco; Danza Viva Spanish Dance Company (Deanna Blacher); and in his own Sydney based flamenco dance company, Metro Flamenco.
Now with some 20 years experience in the flamenco industry, Tomás is also known for his precise, insightful teaching. Tomás is recognised by the two leading international flamenco teaching standards, Alianza Flamenca and the Spanish Dance Institute. With this experience Tomás leads his students straight to the core of flamenco to confront their deepest emotions and learn to express them with highly skilled movement. He is gifted in teaching both men and women, imparting the nuances appropriate to both styles.
He currently runs the Flamenco Centre in Canberra and is also resident guest teacher at three flamenco academies in Sydney: the Los Carmonas Flamenco Academy; the Pasión Flamenco Academy; and the Spanish School of Dance. Students in his care from the Los Carmonas Academy have won first place numerous times at the prestigious McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge. With a growing reputation as a leader in his field in Australia, Tomás has received frequent invitations to conduct workshops across the country.
His original choreographies are now the benchmark for the Spanish Dance Institute's Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum performance medals. Tomás was the flamenco choreographer and consultant in 'Flamenco Dreaming' for Descendance Aboriginal Theatre and has choreographed extensively for Danza Viva's productions at Perth's Octagon Theatre, Western Australia.
Tomás was selected as the lead male flamenco dancer and adviser for the corps de flamenco in Francesca Zambello's production of Bizet's 'Carmen' for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House and subsequently at the Melbourne Arts Centre in 2008. He went on to assume the role of Dance Captain during the company's tour of Taipei in 2009. This year Tomás is dancing again with Opera Australia in their opulent production of La Traviata.
Tomás performs regularly at the Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Sydney.
