Like many, many guitarists, from the get-go, I was always drawn to virtually anything that could be played on the guitar. Indeed, my first private lesson instructor was similar in that regard, and was able to work with me from a classical book while showing me Hendrix and Santana, then Chet Atkins and a lot of other things during the four years I studied with him!

Flamenco was not his forte, though I heard him play through a sequence of chords one time as he was tuning someone else’s guitar. I later found out he was playing a chord sequence from the form of Soleares. Something about the progression – the sound of those chords – made tears well up inside. It was a very evocative sound – simple yet profound.

A year later I met a boy in school whose father plays flamenco, and I began to take some lessons with him. I viewed flamenco and the techniques used in the style as additional colors I was interested in adding to my “bag.” I was drawn to it in a strong way and had the incredible opportunities to study in Spain at age 16 and then again the following year after graduating high school. Throughout the time spent in Spain, flamenco gradually consumed me. It has been quite a journey filled with ups and downs, and some incredible teachers. The process over these years has led to many insights into learning and in turn – teaching flamenco, that I feel is timelier now than ever!

We live in a golden age for learning and playing flamenco! This is in very large part due to the absolutely unprecedented availability of flamenco recordings, instructional materials (including books and rhythm track recordings), and in no small way, videos on YouTube...

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