Juani de la Isla
Musical Director & Spanish Liaison
Born in San Fernando, near Cádiz, in the Andalucían heartland of flamenco. Juani trained under the legendary Manolo Sanlúcar, and in the gypsy flamenco style of Morón. Across a career of 100+ album credits he has accompanied Sara Baras, Javier Barón, Manuela Carrasco, José Mercé, Rancapino, and Pansequito, composed for the Cristina Hoyos dance company, and served a decade as musical director for El Barrio. His direct line to Spain’s living masters — La Repompa, Diego Amador, El Torombo and more — is what brings the real thing to Albuquerque.
Carmen “La Chispa” Montes
Executive & Artistic Director
“La Chispa” — the Spark. Born in Mapimí, Durango, Mexico, Carmen trained in Spain with the Farruco family, Carmen Ledesma, Concha Vargas, and Miguel Vargas, and studied cante with Esperanza Fernández. A Kresge Artist Fellow (2010) and co-founder of COMPAS in Michigan, she leads Casa Flamenca’s artistic vision and holds the organization together on mission alone.
Trufa
Director de Seguridad
On tour or in the studio, Trufa makes sure everything runs according to plan. He is unshakably even-keeled and calm — almost nothing moves him. Only two things will: perdiendo el compás, in which case you might see him shake his head and hear a light growl; or flamenco so full of heartfelt duende that you may get an approving nod and a wag of the tail.
