Upcoming Events - Immerse Yourself in the Flamenco World

Andrea Benabent, Piano

Dr. Andrea Benabent, a distinguished Spanish pianist, has earned recognition in numerous national and international competitions, including first prizes at the 8th Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards International Competition in Singapore (2024), the II Franz Liszt Center Piano Competition in Spain, and the “Mestre Serrano” Piano Competition in Valencia, Spain. 

She holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Houston, where she studied under Dr. Andrew Staupe and Dr. Tali Morgulis. Andrea also graduated from the Royal Higher Conservatory of Madrid and Sam Houston State University, where she studied with Elena Orobio and Josu de Solaun, the first prize winner of the XIII George Enescu International Piano Competition in Bucharest.

During the 2015/2016 academic year, Andrea was a student of Professor Pascal Nemirovsky at the Royal Academy of Music in London and received a scholarship to attend the Alps Summer Music Festival in Tignes, France. In 2018, she was awarded a fellowship to participate in the Miami Piano Academy and Festival, where she studied with Giselle Brodsky and Jorge Luis Prats.

Since 2022, Andrea has been a member of the Young Artist Program at DACAMERA in Houston, actively promoting the musical heritage of Spain. She performed in the successful concert series Octubre Hispánico 2022 for the Consulate of Spain in Houston.

Andrea has graced prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Wortham Theater Center and Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston, Duke’s Hall in London, and Palau de la Música in Valencia, among others. Passionate about flamenco, she incorporates the genre into her compositions, drawing inspiration from artists such as Pablo Ruben Maldonado, David Peña Dorantes, Maria Toledo, and Lola Fernández.

Jeremy García, Guitar

Jeremy is an accomplished classical and flamenco guitarist, award-winning composer, arranger, recording artist and educator.  Currently serving as the Affiliate Artist of Guitar at the Moores School of Music, García’s philosophy of teaching centers on guided instruction - a true mentorship designed to unlock the student’s fullest potential in artistic, scholarly, and creative expression.  

He maintains an active career as a concert artist emphasizing classical and flamenco and in orchestral and chamber music collaborations.  Notable engagements include the Houston Grand Opera's "Suite Española" (2021), the Moores Opera Center's "Ainadamar" (2023), Fremont Symphony Orchestra, Lander, Wyoming, (2022) and the Helena Symphony in Montana (2017).  In Helena, García premiered an original work for flamenco ensemble and orchestra,  "Suite Andaluz."   This three movement work highlighted the antique popular songs recorded by Federico García Lorca in 1931.  On the same concert, García performed Joaquín Rodrigo's "El Concierto de Aranjuez."  More recently, he appeared as a featured artist with the Grammy Award-winning Apollo’s Fire - Baroque Orchestra (2024) on a 6 concert tour of Chicago and Cleveland.  

Continuing his desire to introduce new audiences to classical music influenced by flamenco, García was awarded a grant in 2024 by the Houston Arts Alliance to create new works based on the music of Federico García Lorca and Manuel de Falla.  This new vision features collaborations with fellow University of Houston - Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts faculty, including Mann-Wen Lo, Professor of Practice - Violin, Eunghee Cho, Professor of Practice - Cello, and Dr. Gabriela Estrada, Assistant Professor of Dance.  

As a festival artist, Jeremy performs, gives master classes, lectures, and workshops in festivals such as the 2024 Texas Guitar Festival at the University of Texas in Dallas, the Brownsville Texas Flamenco Festival (2021), The Classical Minds Festival (England - Virtual Performance, Workshop and lessons - 2021) and the Hill Country Classical Guitar Ensemble Festival and Competition (2019).  

García's latest album, "Nuevo Día" (Frameworks Records, 2023), features original compositions and reimagined flamenco infused arrangements of classical Spanish Masters Tárrega and Albéniz. For his composition “Zalamera,” García won the top prize in the Séptimo Concurso de Composición para Guitarra Fidelio (2023) in Madrid, Spain.

He is the co-founder of Solero Flamenco, Houston's premier professional flamenco performing company. (2009).  Along with co-founder Irma La Paloma, Solero Flamenco was invited to perform for the Queen of Spain - La Reina Sofia (2023).  Solero Flamenco has also performed in six cities across the US between 2021 and 2023 in original productions hosted by Candlelight Concerts by Fever.  With a sincere desire to share the art of Flamenco, Jeremy and Irma directed the Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival (2011-2016) and created a program of gratuitous interactive performance/demonstrations for Houston’s youth called, Flamenco for Kids and Teens.  The Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival was supported by generous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Humanities Texas, San Jacinto College, and was endorsed by the Consul General of Spain in Houston.  

With education and engagement a top priority, García currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director of the Houston Classical Guitar Festival and Competition.  Furthermore, he is a frequent clinician and ensemble director for the Guitar Initiative’s Summer Guitar Conservatory, held annually for HISD students.     He holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and a Master of Music in Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Irma La Paloma, Cante

Irma is a flamenco artist, singer, poet and composer. She is Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Houston’s Premier Flamenco Performance Company, Solero Flamenco (2009).  Irma performs and collaborates with local and international artists delivering Cante (Flamenco song) with sincerity and passion.  She is a dedicated ambassador of flamenco arts and education. 

Borne of Spanish descent in Havana, Cuba, she began her flamenco training with Spain’s Olga Bustamante at Concepción Arenal and with María Asela Bermúdez at Escuela de Baile Monterroso y Antas de Ulla.  She performed Flamenco and Spanish Regional Dances in Havana’s Centro Gallego and Teatro García Lorca.  Her family later established residence in Madrid where she was further embraced by her heritage.  Her love of poetry and lyrics led her to concentrated study of cante and dance accompaniment.

Recognized for her artistry and work ethic, La Paloma is a sought after collaborator.  Irma served as Choreographer for Houston Grand Opera’s digital production, "Suite Española - Explorando Iberia” (2021).  She performed and recorded her original work, ”El Corazón Manda” in Kathak-Flamenco - A Celebration of Cultures (2019).  In 2017, she performed selections from Manuel de Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” with the Helena Symphony in Montana, Allan R. Scott, Conductor.  She also composed and recorded vocals in Jeremy García's Cafe Khytaro release, “Distancia" (2008).  

Irma currently tours nationally as featured vocalist in Solero Flamenco Candlelight Concerts presented by Fever Original Events.  She performs in Houston Airports’ Performing Arts Program, Harmony in the Air.  She keeps a busy performing schedule and enjoys composing and developing new works for performance and publication.  

Solangel Lali Calix, Baile

Lali is a flamenco and Spanish classical dancer with excellent castanet technique learned from Maria Magdalena, one of Spain’s prominent players. Her love of dance began in her native Honduras and culminated in extensive training in Spain where she studied Flamenco, Ballet Clásico and Español at Amor de Dios School, Madrid with Ciro, María Magdalena.  In Sevilla’s Escuela Flamenca, she studied with Juan Polvillo. 

She later established Alianza Flamenca New Orleans as Co-Director with guitarist John Lawrence. From 1994-2005 she was the flamenco instructor at the New Orleans School of Ballet. She performed at El Matador, in the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and made several guest appearances in the states. Lali has been a professional flamenco dancer for over 40 years.  Based in Houston, she enjoys teaching technique, choreography, and castanets.  She performs and tours with Solero Flamenco.

Andreina Pereira Nuñez

Andreina is a passionate flamenco dancer.  She began her dance studies in “Tatiana Reyna’s Escuela de Danza” in her native Caracas, Venezuela.  While her initial training was in the fundamentals of ballet and jazz, she excelled in flamenco dance and was selected as a member of the dance company representing Reyna's academy.  She participated in national competitions, cultural events and productions.  Andreina furthered her flamenco training in Master Classes and Workshops with renowned dancers Daniela Tugues, Chachy Peñalver, Ziudy Garrido and others.  Upon moving to Houston, she continues dancing professionally with Solero Flamenco.