Teresa Laiz
Conductor
Castanet Virtuoso, Performer, Composer, and Educator.
Born in Madrid in 1966, Teresa Laiz has dedicated over three decades to the art of the castanets. Her journey began through intensive training in Spanish Dance under celebrated masters such as Víctor Ullate, Ana Mercedes, Rafael de Córdoba, Candela Soto, La Tani, El Farruquito, Juan Carlos Lérida, and Belén Maya. Until 2003, her professional focus was primarily on Spanish Dance and Flamenco, after which she began creating multidisciplinary performances inspired by the works of Federico García Lorca—integrating theater, music, dance, and castanets.
A turning point in her artistic path came in 2005, when she met Maestro José de Udaeta, who introduced her to the world of Concert Castanets. Their collaboration led to several joint performances, and in 2006, Teresa Laiz embarked on a solo career. Since then, she has composed original castanet scores and performed a wide range of repertoires—including classical, Spanish, and folk—distinguished by their virtuosity and emotional intensity.
An experienced and passionate educator, Teresa has been teaching since 1987. Her expertise spans Classical Ballet, Spanish Dance, Flamenco, Creative and Ballroom Dance, and Castanets. She has taught at numerous institutions, including the prestigious “Amor de Dios” Flamenco and Spanish Dance Center in Madrid. Currently, she is on faculty at the School of Performing Arts Ma non troppo in Madrid.
Teresa’s performance career includes appearances on major radio and television channels (TVE, Telecinco, Cuatro TV, Telemadrid, Rai TV, Canal Nord Catalunya, TV Costa Brava, and more), and on stages across Spain, Italy, France, Austria, and the United States. She has been featured at distinguished festivals such as the International Festival of Porta Ferrada, Festival des Articulés (France), the Catalunya Against Cancer Festival, and the International Castanets Festival, which she founded in 2009—the world’s first and only festival devoted entirely to castanets in all styles.
She has collaborated with a diverse range of musical ensembles, from intimate piano or guitar duos to full symphony orchestras. Her notable performances include appearances at the Liria Palace, the National Auditorium of Spain, Plaza Mayor in Madrid, the Musikverein in Vienna, and Carnegie Hall in New York.
Her stage partners have included world-renowned artists such as Montserrat Martí Caballé, Luis Santana, Marika Spadafino, Carmen Solís, Nancy Fabiola Herrera, Aquiles Machado, Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Clara Montes, José de Udaeta, Antonio Reyes, Adrián Galia, and Sergio Bernal.
Teresa is a two-time winner of the Progressive Musicians International Music Competition, in both the Soloist and Ensemble categories, earning her performances at Carnegie Hall in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, she and soprano Marta Casas won First Prize in the Fanny Mendelssohn International Competition (Professional Chamber Music category).
Her discography includes the solo album Repicando el Alma (2007), as well as collaborations on albums such as Parlem-ne (2008, with Santi Vendrell), Canciones del comer y del beber (2010, with Els que canten), and “Bellas Promesas” (2022, with La Firu). She also performed on the soundtrack of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, directed by Terry Gilliam, with music by Roque Baños.
As an author, she published Castanet Method by Teresa Laiz, Vol. 1, available on Amazon, and continues to develop further volumes. She also completed formal studies in orchestral conducting at the Navarro Lara School of Orchestra and Band Conducting.
Teresa is the founder and director of the O.I.R. (Orchestra of Rare Instruments) and the Castanets Choir of Madrid. In 2019, she launched the Online Castanets School, offering digital instruction to students worldwide. In 2023, she established the Teresa Laiz International Castanets Competition, which will hold its third edition in February 2025.
In concert, Teresa redefines the castanets as a solo instrument capable of expressing the depth and breadth of musical tradition—from Baroque masters such as Bach and Scarlatti to Spanish composers like Albéniz and Falla, to Catalan, flamenco, jazz, pop, and international folk music. She performs her own original scores, bringing renewed visibility and artistic prestige to this deeply rooted, yet often overlooked, instrument of Spanish culture.
Today, she continues to compose, teach, perform internationally, and lead efforts to preserve and elevate the art of castanets. She is currently preparing the 11th International Castanets Festival and the 3rd Teresa Laiz International Castanets Competition.
Nora Muñoz
Spanish Dance Artist and Castanet Soloist
From an early age, Nora Muñoz began her artistic training in Classical Ballet, Spanish Dance, and Mexican Folklore. She later specialized in Stylized Spanish Dance, Spanish Classical, and Flamenco, studying under renowned Mexican master Oscar Tarriba through the teachings of Ana María Sánchez.
Her formation has been enriched through masterclasses, workshops, and seminars with acclaimed teachers from both Mexico and Spain, deepening her technique and expressive artistry.
Nora has performed as a guest artist in various Flamenco productions and Spanish Classical Dance concerts, and appeared in the opera Carmen at the Apollo Art Performance in California, USA.
As an educator, she has taught Spanish Dance, introductory Flamenco, and Castanets for both public institutions and private organizations, while also directing her own Spanish Dance studio.
In 2023, Nora was awarded Second Prize as one of the four finalists in the 1st Teresa Laiz International Castanet Competition. That same year, she earned her Degree in Concert Castanets from the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School in Spain, a member of the International Dance Council CID–UNESCO.
Currently, she is a member of the Castanet Choir of Madrid, under the direction of Teresa Laiz, where she performs both as a soloist and ensemble artist.
Florencia Fourcade
Dance Educator, Composer, Choreographer, and Castanet Soloist
Florencia Fourcade is an accomplished dance teacher, composer, choreographer, and castanet soloist with over two decades of experience. Since 2000, she has taught at the Elina Molina Estrella Dance School, where she leads classes in Castanets, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Flamenco, and Spanish Dance. In 2020, she was appointed Director of the school, where she continues to inspire and mentor new generations of dancers.
In 2024, she graduated from the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School, Spain, where she now also serves as a faculty member. Her dual role as performer and educator reflects her commitment to the development of the concert castanet as a solo instrument.
Florencia is a soloist member of the Castanet Choir of Madrid, under the direction of Teresa Laiz, contributing to performances that elevate the castanets in both traditional and contemporary repertoires.
She is also the co-founder of the International Castanet Foundation “Castamusic”, an initiative dedicated to promoting the cultural and artistic value of the castanets worldwide.
Her artistic contributions have been formally recognized by the Senate of Mendoza for her work in cultural development. She has appeared in major events and venues across Argentina, Spain, and New York, earning praise for her expressive performances and original compositions.
In February 2025, Florencia was awarded First Prize in the Concert Castanet Category at the III Teresa Laiz International Castanet Competition, further solidifying her position as a leading figure in this unique musical discipline.
Isabel Alarcón
Dancer and Castanet Soloist
Isabel Alarcón is a Spanish dancer from Madrid, currently based in Seville, Andalucía. A graduate of the prestigious Carmen Amaya Professional Conservatory in Spanish Dance and Flamenco, she was later awarded a scholarship at the Cristina Heeren Foundation of Flamenco Art, where she studied with renowned masters such as Milagros Menjíbar and Javier Barón.
Her talent has been recognized in major flamenco competitions: she was a finalist in the Ubrique Flamenco Competition 2024, as well as in the Federation of Peñas of Málaga (2024) and Seville (2023). In 2024, she won the II Tablao Competition of Casa de la Memoria, one of Seville’s most respected flamenco venues.
In February 2025, she was awarded First Prize in the Category of Castanets for Dance Accompaniment at the III Teresa Laiz International Castanet Competition, highlighting her excellence in this specialized art form.
Isabel has performed on some of Spain’s most iconic stages, including the Royal Theatre of Spain, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, and the National Auditorium of Music in Madrid. She is a frequent performer in tablaos and peñas across Andalucía, and also appears as a castanet soloist with orchestras, bringing the rich tradition of Spanish dance and music to concert stages.
Her choreography is deeply rooted in traditional forms, yet transformed by her personal artistry into an elegant, refined, and uniquely expressive style.
Bárbara Martín
Legal Expert, Social Leader, and Castanet Enthusiast
Bárbara Martín holds degrees in Politics and Administration from the Spanish Open University (2018) and Law from the University of Granada (1997). She has also pursued advanced academic and professional training, including:
Master’s in Legal Practices and Procedures (2000)
Master’s in Managing Small and Medium-Sized Companies (1998)
Master’s in Fundraising Management for Non-Profit Organizations (2022)
XI Strategic Management and Social Leadership Program, IESE – University of Navarra (2021)
Her expertise in European and disability law is reinforced by her participation in several specialized programs, including:
15th Intensive Seminar on the European Union, College of Europe, Bruges (2008)
Institutions of the European Union, Spanish Diplomatic School (2007)
International Disability Summer School on the CRPD, National University of Ireland (2012)
Course on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Spanish Open University (2011)
Since 2015, Bárbara has served as Vice-President of the European Blind Union (EBU). She currently leads the Coordination Unit for Institutional Agreements and External Collaborations at ONCE, a role she has held since 2019.
Fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, Bárbara is also deeply passionate about the arts. In 2021, she began her castanet studies at the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School, joining the Madrid Castanets Choir in 2022. On September 24, 2023, she became the President of the Teresa Laiz Fan Club, a role that reflects her joy in supporting and celebrating this unique musical art form.
Pilar Vita
Castanet Performer and Flamenco Arts Enthusiast
Pilar Vita, born in Granada, holds a degree in Pharmacy and an MBA, and has completed postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. Alongside her academic and professional accomplishments, she has maintained a lifelong passion for traditional flamenco music, singing, and dance, which she began exploring at an early age through classes and amateur performance groups.
Pilar has been playing castanets for over 30 years, and in 2022, she deepened her artistic journey by studying under acclaimed castanet soloist and teacher Teresa Laiz. That same year, she joined the Madrid Castanets Choir, founded and directed by Teresa Laiz, where she performs in repertoires spanning classical, Spanish, and popular music.
With the Choir, Pilar has performed in distinguished venues such as the Teatro Flamenco Madrid, Teatro Lara, Teatro Reina Victoria (as part of the IX and X International Castanets Festivals), the Royal Monastery of Santa María de El Paular, San Ildefonso Church, and St. Michael’s Church in Brihuega (Guadalajara).
She continues to expand her knowledge of flamenco through the Flamenco Vivo program—a comprehensive study of flamenco theory and practice offered by the Flamencology Department of the University of Córdoba.
Pilar is also a student member of the International Dance Council CID – UNESCO, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and international artistic exchange.
She remains an active member of the Castanet Choir of Madrid, contributing to the revitalization and visibility of castanets as a concert instrument.
Megan Lee
Performer and Member of the Castanet Choir of Madrid
Megan Lee is a New York native whose artistic journey began with the study of piano and ballet, leading to early performances in ballets, operas, and musicals. At the age of 17, she joined the Atlanta Ballet Company, and later appeared in New York summer stock and off-Broadway productions.
Her career took her abroad to France, where she toured for several years with a French musical group, blending her love of music and stage performance.
After some time away from the stage, Megan rediscovered the joy of music and movement through her participation in Teresa Laiz’s Castanet Choir, an unexpected and fulfilling return to her artistic roots. She continues to explore the expressive power of castanets as part of this unique ensemble.
Marta Casas
Soprano & Castanets soloist
Soprano Marta Casas earned her Voice degree from the Escuela Superior de Canto de Madrid and holds a Master’s degree in Musical Research and Performance from Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, graduating with highest honors. In 2021, she completed a specialization in Flamencology at the University of Córdoba, receiving a perfect score. In addition to her vocal training, Marta studied violoncello for eight years at the conservatory in her hometown.
Alongside her musical career, she holds degrees in Law from institutions in both Spain and Italy (Università Statale di Milano) and a Master’s degree in Public Policy Management from Alfonso X University of Madrid, reflecting her broad academic background.
Marta is fluent in an exceptional range of languages, including English, French, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Galician, Hieroglyphics, and Coptic. She has worked with many of the most distinguished figures in the operatic world, including Josep Carreras, Mirella Freni, Mariella Devia, Ana María Sánchez, Manuel Burgueras, Emilio Sagi, Fernando Balboa, José Miguel Pérez-Sierra, María Bayo, and Delfo Menicucci, studying at institutions such as the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi of Milan.
Her performance career has taken her to major stages in Spain, Italy, the United States, and Jerusalem, and she has sung for prominent figures, including H.M. Queen Sofía of Spain during her 80th anniversary celebration. Since 2020, Marta has served as a professor at the Higher Conservatory of Music of Castilla-La Mancha.
Deeply connected to Spanish musical traditions, Marta completed the full Castanets Method at the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School and is a member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz. As both soloist and ensemble singer, she co-founded the Compañía Española de Canto y Palillos with Teresa Laiz. Their collaboration has led to performances in theaters across Spain and internationally, earning two awards at international music competitions.
Jenaro Sosa
First prize winner in the II International Castanet Competition
Jenaro Sosa is a distinguished Mexican dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher specializing in Spanish Dance. He graduated in Classical Ballet from the Yucatán Higher School of Arts and earned a degree in Spanish Dance from the Nellie and Gloria Campobello National Dance School. Since 2014, he has continued his professional training in Spanish dance under the renowned Mexican dancer and pedagogue Pilar Rioja, an experience that has significantly shaped his artistic and pedagogical development.
Since 2010, Jenaro has worked extensively as a dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher with various companies and institutions throughout Mexico. His international training includes studies with the Columbus Dance Theater in the United States, under the direction of Seth Wilson and Jaime Kotrba.
As a performer, he has appeared on some of Mexico’s most prestigious stages, including the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the National Center for the Arts, and the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as venues in the United States and Colombia.
Jenaro is currently a professor at the Rioja Academy, directed by Pilar Rioja. In February 2024, he was awarded First Prize at the Teresa Laiz International Castanet Competition, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Roxana Prast
Castanets soloist
Dance Teacher & Castanets Soloist
After following the traditional path of castanet performance within dance styles such as Sevillanas, Flamenco, and Escuela Bolera (including studies at the Escuela de Flamenco de Andalucía Course in Lisbon), she chose to deepen her specialization in castanets as a solo concert instrument. She pursued advanced studies with renowned castanets soloist Teresa Laiz, earning an Advanced Castanets Diploma recognized by CID–UNESCO.
Alongside her performance career, she studied musical notation and has composed approximately 60 original scores, which form the foundation of her unique teaching methodology.
A pioneer of concert castanet education in Portugal, she introduced specialized castanet classes and founded the EFO Castanets Choir (Escola Flamenca de Oeiras). Through this ensemble, she trains advanced students and leads them in performances across a variety of concert settings. She is also a member of the Madrid Castanets Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, where she regularly performs as a soloist.
Paloma Aguado
Castanets soloist
She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and began her artistic journey in flamenco dance as an amateur. In 2018, she discovered her passion for castanets, marking the start of her focused musical path.
She completed the entire Castanet Method at the Teresa Laiz International Castanets School and has since developed into an active and dedicated performer. She was a semi-finalist in both the 1st and 2nd editions of the “Teresa Laiz” International Castanet Competition in 2023 and 2024.
Her performances have taken place in notable venues including Teatro Lara, Teatro de Flamenco de Madrid, Teatro Reina Victoria (Madrid), Iglesia de San Miguel de Brihuega, Monasterio de Santa María de El Paular, and Iglesia de San Ildefonso (Madrid).
She is a member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz. Together with fellow choir members, she co-founded the ensemble “Al son de las Castañuelas,” through which they offer altruistic performances in nursing homes, bringing music and joy to communities that may not otherwise have access to live concerts.
Reema Ayache
Castanets soloist
She is a high school student with a strong artistic background, raised in a family that deeply values the arts and music. From an early age, Reema developed her own creative voice, expressing herself through a wide range of artistic disciplines.
An award-winning visual artist, she demonstrates strong interpretative and creative skills across multiple media, including drawing, painting, and Persian and Arabic calligraphy. Her artwork has been published in both national and international journals, such as the Global Equality for Medical Care Organization International Journal (Volume I), HopeWorks Howard County (2021), and the Americans with Disabilities Art Contest. In addition, she has been commissioned to design logos for various organizations and groups, create album covers, and produce original artwork sold as stickers.
Alongside her visual art, Reema is an active and versatile musician. She plays piano, violin, setar (Persian lute), daf, and flute. She is a member of her high school chamber orchestra, serves as Vice President of the Youth of the World Orchestra, and previously held the position of Membership Chair of her school’s Tri-M National Honors Society.
In 2023, she began taking online castanet lessons with Teresa Laiz to further develop skills first introduced through flamenco dance. She has since joined the Madrid Castanet Choir, continuing to expand her artistic and musical horizons.
Yara Ayache
Castanets soloist
Yara is currently a university junior for whom music and the arts have been a central and defining force since early childhood. Raised in a deeply artistic environment, she developed a profound appreciation for creative expression through singing, instrumental performance, dance, and collaborative music-making.
Her musical studies span a wide range of instruments, including traditional Persian instruments such as the santoor and tombak, as well as piano, violin, and clarinet. Yara’s artistic and leadership accomplishments include serving as marching band drum major and clarinet section leader, performing as an invited guest at university, community, and international events, participating in the Persian National Music Ensemble, and performing with her high school chamber orchestra at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago (2017). She is also the founder and director of the youth volunteer ensemble Youth of the World Orchestra.
Introduced early to the expressive depth of flamenco music, Yara began formal flamenco dance training in 2015. She has studied with renowned artists including Edwin Aparicio, Cristobal Reyes, Domingo Ortega, Rapico, Karime Amaya, Farruquito, Alfonso Losa, and Norberto Chamizo, among others, and has performed with various companies and in numerous venues throughout the DC–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) area.
Her castanet journey began within the flamenco tradition and deepened in 2021 when she joined Teresa Laiz’s International Castanet School to further refine her technique and musical understanding. Yara is now a proud member of Teresa Laiz’s Castanet Choir and looks forward to continuing to share this expressive art form on stage alongside fellow artists.
Carmen Benayas
Castanets soloist
She is a retired primary school teacher, specializing in English. From a young age, she has nurtured a deep love for music—especially singing—and has been an active member of various choirs throughout her life.
Her introduction to castanets began at a senior center, where the instrument was offered as an activity. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion, inspiring her to pursue further study. This journey led her to Teresa Laiz, her current teacher, with whom she has been refining her castanet technique for the past five years.
During this time, she has participated in numerous events and performances in cities such as Seville, Guadalajara, and Madrid. Today, she is a proud member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, continuing to share her love for music and this traditional art form on stage.
Lola Bernabeu
Castanets soloist
Lola holds a Degree in Pharmacy and began her castanet studies in 2022 under the guidance of the renowned castanet soloist and pedagogue Teresa Laiz. That same year, she joined the Madrid Castanets Choir, founded and directed by Teresa Laiz.
Under Laiz’s direction, Lola has performed a wide-ranging repertoire—including classical, Spanish, and popular music—at prominent venues such as Teatro Flamenco Madrid, the Royal Monastery of Santa María de El Paular, San Ildefonso Church in Madrid, St. Michael’s Church in Brihuega (Guadalajara), Teatro Lara, and Teatro Reina Victoria in Madrid. She has also appeared at the Castanet Soloists, Masters, and Groups Gala during the IX and X International Castanets Festivals.
Lola is a student member of the International Dance Council (CID – UNESCO). In addition to her musical pursuits, she is recognized for her talent in realistic charcoal drawing, reflecting her strong artistic sensibility across disciplines.
Ana Cristina Dias
Castanets soloist
Ana Cristina Dias is a Banking Director whose artistic path has been deeply rooted in flamenco and castanet performance for over a decade.
She began her flamenco journey in 2007 at Escola Flamenca de Oeiras (EFO), Portugal, studying Flamenco and Sevillanas and actively participating in all school performances and events. In 2012, she expanded her training to include dances with castanets, focusing on Sevillanas, Flamenco, and later the Bolera School.
In 2019, Ana Cristina began specializing in Concert Castanets, performing in numerous shows across Portugal. In February 2023, she represented Coro EFO at the 1st International Castanet Competition in Madrid, organized by Teresa Laiz, where the group reached the semi-finals. Later in April and July 2023, she performed as part of a castanet choir with the Porto Salvo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ana Cristina currently studies at the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School and is a proud member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, continuing to refine her artistry and share the concert castanet tradition on international stages.
Carmen Fernández
Castanets soloist
Carmen Fernández’s professional career spans both direct teaching and educational administration. She worked as a high school professor of Geography and History and later as a Technical Teaching Advisor at the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment.
Upon concluding her professional career, Carmen discovered that her long-standing appreciation for music as a listener could evolve into active musical practice through the castanets, a traditional and accessible instrument. In September 2018, she began her studies with Professor Teresa Laiz and completed the full curriculum at the Teresa Laiz International Castanets School.
As a member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, Carmen has participated in numerous concerts across various cities and towns throughout Spain. Together with fellow students from the same school, she has taken part in both the I and II International Castanet Competitions, reaching the semi-final stage on both occasions.
Carmen is also a member of the ensemble Al son de las Castañuelas, a group dedicated to performing altruistically in nursing homes, bringing music and cultural connection to senior communities.
Carmen Gracián
Castanets soloist
Carmen Gracián is a retired mother of four whose passion for castanets began in her youth, when she participated in a school competition. Although life led her in other directions for many years, her love for the instrument remained.
After retiring, Carmen rediscovered castanets by enrolling in a beginner’s course. Her natural musicality and dedication quickly became evident, motivating her to pursue advanced training under the guidance of renowned castanet soloist and pedagogue Teresa Laiz. Over more than five years of focused study, she refined her technique and developed a strong artistic voice.
Carmen has performed in numerous events and participated in both the 1st and 2nd Editions of the International Castanet Competition in Madrid. Her commitment and talent earned her a place in the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, where she continues to share her passion for this traditional art form with audiences.
Karolina Pek
Castanets soloist
Karolina Pek, known artistically as “La Paprika,” is a Slovak-Canadian music educator and performer currently serving as High School Music Director at Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China. She pursued her musical studies in Vancouver, Montreal, and Prague, training as a pianist and French horn player, and later expanded her expertise through conducting studies in Montreal and Vienna.
Her growing interest in flamenco dance and percussion led her to become an active participant in Shanghai’s flamenco scene. A pivotal moment in her artistic journey occurred when a visiting Spanish teacher lent her his grandmother’s castanets for a course—an experience that sparked a lasting passion for the instrument.
Since then, Karolina has dedicated herself to the study of concert castanets and is currently pursuing the advanced level at the Teresa Laiz Online International Castanet School. She has performed as a castanet soloist in Shanghai and Mexico City and is a proud member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz.
Through her work as an educator and performer, Karolina continues to bridge cultures, blending classical training with flamenco tradition and contemporary performance practice.
Christina Penney
Castanets soloist
Christina Penney is an engineer and flamenco dancer originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. She was first introduced to the world of concert castanets in 2016, when she was invited to perform Boccherini’s Fandango with a guitar quartet. For this performance, she received coaching from the esteemed Canadian flamenco artist Carmen Romero.
During the pandemic, Christina expanded her studies through virtual learning opportunities and, in 2020, began studying castanets for both Spanish dance and concert performance with renowned flamenco artist Esmeralda Enrique.
In 2021, Christina enrolled in Maestra Teresa Laiz’s Online International Castanet School, where she is currently in her third year of the intensive program, working toward professional performance and teaching certification.
She is also a member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, and actively continues to develop her artistry in concert castanet performance.
Luz Ruiz
Castanets soloist
A lawyer by profession, Luz Ruiz has maintained a lifelong connection to flamenco and the world of dance. From an early age, she actively participated in performances, including appearances on international stages.
For the past five years, she has been dedicated to the study of concert castanets at the Teresa Laiz International Castanet School, deepening her technical mastery and musical expression of this traditional Spanish instrument.
Luz is a proud member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz, with whom she regularly performs, sharing the artistry of castanets with diverse audiences.
Irene Valcárcel
Castanets soloist
Dance & Castanets Teacher, Dancer, Choreographer, Poet, and Writer, Irene Valcárcel is an accomplished teacher of Spanish classical dance, flamenco, classical ballet, folk dances, and ballroom dance, with over 25 years of experience in various teaching centers. She is the founder, director, and principal instructor at Escuela de Danza Irene Zambra, where she has mentored generations of dancers.
As a dancer, choreographer, and director, Irene has led Ballet Español Irene Zambra for 15 years, presenting performances in theaters, cultural centers, and concert halls across Spain.
In addition to her work in dance, Irene is a poet and writer, having shared her poetry at Spanish poetry associations, universities, cultural centers, theaters, and on national television (TVE). Her work has also been published in cultural magazines and anthologies.
Since 2016, Irene has been studying Concert Castanets under Teresa Laiz and is an active member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, directed by Teresa Laiz.
Lourdes Vita
Administration Manager, Concert Castanets Performer
Born in Granada, Lourdes Vita began performing in amateur flamenco dance groups from an early age. She initially played castanets to accompany dance, and in 2022 began studying concert castanets under renowned teacher Teresa Laiz.
Lourdes is currently a member of the Madrid Castanet Choir, founded and directed by Teresa Laiz, performing in prestigious venues such as Teatro Lara and Teatro Reina Victoria in Madrid, within the framework of the IX and X International Castanets Festival. She is also a student member of the International Dance Council (CID – UNESCO).
