corazon flamenco ensemble

Irene Rimer is a Doctor of Philosophy, Metaphysical Counselor, and Ordained Minister of the International Metaphysics Ministry. Additionally, She is an International Flamenco Artist, choreographer, and an Accountant with 30 years of experience in the private industry. 

Irene was fascinated with Flamenco since she was about 5 years old. Her father was a fan of the art-form and former matador, "bullfighter", in corridas with Cesar and Curro Giron, so he frequented Flamenco tablaos often and took his daughter to performances. 

At 7 years, Irene was living with her family in Spain and took classes from a gypsy woman and her daughter her father hired. She perform in several children shows and became a soloist. 

She started training in Ballet under Madam Nina Novak, prima ballerina of the Ballet of Monte Carlo, and in Classical Spanish and Flamenco with Jose Serrano, "Pepe." In Madrid, she was privileged to study at the prestigious original Amor de Dios studio in Madrid where she learned from Maria Magdalena, Maria Rosa Merced, El Ciro, El Guito, and La Tati.  Once "baptized" by Maria Magdalena with the artistic name "La Chata," Irene performed in the Ferias in Andalusia with Paco del Puerto and El Nano de Jerez,  in other regions of Spain with Juan el Extremeno, and in tablaos in Spain and abroad.

Ms. Rimer has shared the stage with Estrella Morena, Pepe de Malaga, Jose Luis Zorrilla, Emilio Prados, Manolo Vargas, La Morita, La China, La Tati, El Nano de Jerez, Leo Heredia, Miguel Hernandez, Pedrito Genil, Juan el Extremeno, & Juan de Alba to name a few.  She was El Chino de Malaga prima flamenco dancer and dance partner of Jose "Pepe" Serrano and Paco del Puerto.  

 As owner and Director of the Irene Rimer Dance Academy in South Florida, she taught Ballet, Flamenco, Modern, Lyrical & Israeli Dance, Belly Dancing, Oriental fusions, and Power Workouts  for ten years. The studio produced professional performances where students shared the stage with professional artists. The studio was recognized as one of the best dance studios in the Miami area with a faculty of up to 17 instructors and a student base of about 500 students.
Irene has also taught lyrical Israeli Dancing in churches and Jewish congregations all over South Florida.
Dr. Rimer moved and taught for nine years in Birmingham, Alabama, and was in the advisory board, and a member of the Alabama Dance Council.
Irene has produced many professional performances. She has performed and choreographed for opera companies, special events, and international shows in the US and abroad.
In addition to offering a variety of world dance classes, Flamenco dancing & singing. Rimer also teaches and lectures on Ancient Hermetic philosophy, Metaphysics, and offers counseling and life-coaching sessions. Irene has taught Internal Energy Training, Meditation, and Tae Kwon Do as well.
Dr. Rimer is a member of the American Association of Metaphysical Doctors. She also studied Astrology under Stephanie Jean-Clement and the Rosicrucian Fellowship.
For over 20 years, Dr. Rimer has been studying the ancient works, researching, and compiling texts to produce an easier way to understand the Astro Logic, and combining all the fields of knowledge and wisdom to show the interrelatedness of all things. Irene offers classes, lectures, and metaphysical counseling.

As a Martial Artist, Irene studied Tae Kwon Do with Godfrey Thomas in Pembroke Pines, FL, and Grand Master Jhoon Rhee earning a Black Belt.  She was the business partner of the Jhoon Rhee school in partnership with Godfrey Thomas. She also received a Kukkiwon Black Belt under Grand Master Jun Ho Yung in Tampa. Irene trained in Mas Oyama Kyokushin Karate with Mickie Eretz in Hollywood, Florida.  She has taught Tae Kwon Do, Kick- Boxing, and Power Workout  Classes.

Irene currently lives in the Punta Gorda area and also in Tampa, Florida. She offers group and private classes in person at Universal Flamenco in Tampa, and also online. 

Tony Arnold studied flamenco guitar for many years with Carlos Ramos in Washington DC. At that time Tony also began working in the musical instrument restoration lab at the Smithsonian Institution and playing nightly classical guitar gigs to support himself while earning a degree at the University of Maryland. 

After service as a US Naval officer he went on to study flamenco guitar with Rafael Morales in Granada, Spain, afterward earning a PhD in evolutionary paleontology at Harvard. 

Throughout his career as a professor at Brown University and Florida State University and after his retirement, Tony continued to perform classical and flamenco guitar. 

He studied with Juan Serrano and presently performs with Irene Rimer’s flamenco group. 

He presently lives in Dunedin, Florida.