Patricia Guerrero embodies the changing face of flamenco, which UNESCO has declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and is spearheading a new generation of younger flamenco artists redefining this traditional music and dance art form for the twenty-first century.
Patricia Guerrero’s work combines modern and traditional elements of flamenco into a choreographic stream of consciousness that is both playful and contentious, performative and private. Her dancing has been called “fast, exciting, and full of invention” by Dance Europe magazine. Guerrero will be joined by flamenco guitarist Guillermo Guillén and cantaor Ismael Fernández.
PATRICIA GUERRERO
Born in Granada in 1990, Patricia Guerrero’s dancing is deeply rooted in flamenco even as she pioneers exploration of musical and choreographic genres. Committed to flamenco tradition, she has nonetheless adapted the style to her own vision, and evolved a contemporary flamenco vocabulary. In 2021, she was awarded the National Dance award by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
Guerrero began her flamenco training at the age of three, and at fifteen began touring as a cast member of Mario Maya’s Diálogo del Amargo (Dialogue of the Bitter). She soon made a name for herself among fans and flamenco critics, and in 2007, just 17, she won the prestigious Desplante award at the International Festival of Cante de las Minas La Unión, a springboard to international recognition and performance at many of the world’s most important dance events, such as the Festival de Jerez, the Düsseldorf Festival, the Festival of Music and Dance of Granada, and the Youth Biennial of Seville, among many others.
In 2017, Guerrero joined the Andalusian Flamenco Ballet as prima ballerina, where her memorable roles included the paso a dos with the maestro Antonio Canales in Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías (Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías), and alongside Eduardo Leal in Metáfora (Metaphor). At the twentieth anniversary of the Festival de Jerez, she presented Pórtico, which foreshadowed her signature piece Catedral, where she blended an exploration of interiority with a more theatrical style and the construction of characters through dance. Catedral was named Best Show at the Bienal de Sevilla.
GUILLERMO GUILLÉN, GUITAR
Guillermo Guillén is an artful and eclectic flamenco guitarist, composer and arranger whose sensitivity and creativity make him a highly sought after musical collaborator for live performances and studio work, from the most traditional flamenco to adventurous experimental projects. Born and raised in France, Guillén trained in Spain, and has performed and taught flamenco internationally for over 20 years.
ISMAEL FERNÁNDEZ, CANTAOR
Ismael Fernández was born in Seville, of Roma descent, and grew up performing in flamenco festivals throughout the world with his internationally renowned family “La Familia Fernández,” a mainstay of the celebrated Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla. His career began in Spain’s premier flamenco tablaos such as El Cordobes in Barcelona, La Carboneria in Seville and other famous flamenco cuevas of Granada. The Washington Post has described him as the “most charismatic performer” and a “connection to the Gypsy source.” He has worked with flamenco legends such as Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Marina Heredia, El Torombo, the prestigious Orchestra director Gustavo Dudamel, and Rafaela Carrasco, among many other music and dance luminaries.
