Flamenco in the Garden

Experience the Spirit of Flamenco in Tucson

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and dance at Flamenco in the Garden, a lively concert event set amidst the enchanting ambiance of Tohono Chul’s lush Performance Garden.

Blending tradition with modern flair, this special Flamenco performance will transport you to the streets of Spain with its stunning costumes, expressive movements, energetic footwork, captivating guitar rhythms, and moving vocals.

Guests can enjoy a range of beverages from the Garden Bistro Bar (please note that there will be no food service available during this event).

Get your tickets today at the link below and prepare to be swept away by the passion and energy of Flamenco in the Garden at Tohono Chul!

Misael Barraza-Diaz
Guitarist

Originally from Mexico, Misael Barraza-Diaz began playing flamenco guitar as a self-taught musician around the age of fifteen. His hunger and devotion towards the Andalucian artform eventually led him to study in Spain with world-renowned flamenco guitarist Oscar Herrero, who was instrumental in guiding Misael to become the artist he is today.

In 2010, Misael was awarded first prize at the Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), at the prestigious Festival de Flamenco. Since then, the artist has become one of the top flamenco guitarists in the United States, and is sought after for his skills as a soloist and as an accompanist. He regularly performs with the top flamenco companies in his area: Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo, Flamenco Por la Vida, Julia Chacon Flamenco Theatre, Phoenix World Arts Collective, and Yumi la Rosa Flamenco. Misael is currently involved in the recording and production of multiple discographic projects, but recently released his album “El Camino Forjado”.

For more on the artist visit misaelflamenco.com

Angelina Ramirez
Dancer

Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco movement artist and teaching artist living in Tucson, Arizona. Ramirez’s artistic work explores what it means to be a queer, Latinx flamenca, practicing in a traditional Roma/gitano form of dance. As a teaching artist, she is interested in the intersections of arts and healing, focusing on work with elders of all abilities and integrated flamenco with autistic individuals.

Ramirez is devoted to promoting accessibility and eradicating ableism, racism, and bigotry by practicing and promoting dialogue, acceptance, and community participation. In 2021 Ramirez received the Master-Apprentice Artist Award through Southwest Folklife Alliance for her dedication and commitment to Flamenco arts. She is a National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures fellow. In 2018 she received the Arizona Commission on the Arts’ Artist Research and Development Grant to support the development of her evening-length work /SER/.

Ramirez is an original member of Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company, and has toured with world-renowned, New York-based company Noche Flamenca. Along with teaching and performing Ramirez produces events and festivals and is currently the curator for the Traditional and Ethnic Dance Festival with the Southwest Folklife Alliance.

Jason Martinez
Percussionist

Jason Martinez is a flamenco dancer and cajón player. He was introduced to the art form at the University of New Mexico, with instructors Eva Encinias-Sandoval and Pablo Rodarte. He has traveled to Sevilla, Spain, and studied extensively at the National Institute of Flamenco under Joaquin Encinias and Omayra Amaya and with celebrated artists at Festival Flamenco Internacional.

Martinez was an original member of Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company in Albuquerque under the direction of Joaquin Encinias, and performed with the company in nine concert seasons. He has toured nationally as a soloist and now teaches and performs in Tucson. Jason was the recipient of a 2018 SFA Master-Apprentice Award, given annually to master artists working to pass on traditional art forms to apprentices.  
 

Yumi La Rosa
Dancer

Yumi la Rosa’s flamenco path started when she decided to follow her passion instead of staying in her established accounting career. She left for Spain to study with well-known Flamenco artists such as Rafaela Carrasco, Juana Amaya, Belen Maya, Leonor Leal, Isabel Bayón, “La Truco”, and others. Upon returning to Phoenix, Yumi joined Viva Flamenco directed by Lydia Torea as a company dancer, and later became a soloist with Mosaico Flamenco at Hyatt Gainey Ranch Scottsdale Resort. Yumi was also selected as a soloist with the prestigious touring group, Calo Flamenco, directed by Martin Gaxiola. She was later invited to Mexico, India and Singapore to teach Flamenco workshops and to perform.

Currently, she directs and performs at Tapas Papa Frita Spanish restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ as the featured dancer. She is also an Artistic Director for an annual theater production, Amor al Baile to give the public an appreciation of other cultures in general and of the richness of Spanish culture in particular.

Gretchen Williams
Vocalist

Gretchen Williams (“La Checha”) is a former soloist with Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company, and holds a doctorate in early modern Spanish history. Her dissertation explores the Romani blacksmithing community of 16th and 17th century Triana. A Fulbright scholar, Dr. Williams has taught Spanish, history, and flamenco at Texas Tech University and the University of New Mexico. She is also an avid flamenco student, studying with renowned artists. In addition to her academic achievements, she performs at prestigious tablaos in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Atlanta.

Diana Schaible
Flautist

Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, Diana Schaible is an award-winning flutist, guitarist, and music educator based in Tucson, Arizona. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Idaho in 2011 and received her Master’s degree in Music Performance at the University of Arizona in 2013. While at UA, Diana was a part of the prestigious Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet, played principal flute in the Arizona Symphony and UA Wind Ensemble, and participated as a finalist in the UA concerto competition. More recently, Ms. Schaible was a prize winner in the 2020 Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist Competition and has also won prizes in classical guitar at several music festivals, including MusicFest Northwest in Spokane, WA, the San Francisco Bay Area Guitar Competition, and first prize at the Sierra Nevada Guitar Competition.

She has performed internationally in Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States. Ms. Schaible is in demand as a performing artist throughout Arizona, playing principal flute in the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra and performing solo and chamber music in such venues as Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, University of Arizona’s Centennial Hall, and the Rogue Theater in Tucson, among many others.