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I have been getting flamenco lessons for over ten years and never met a teacher like Álvaro Antona. He is absolutely unique in that he combines a full understanding of Flamenco and its roots, he has the swing of a naturally born Flamenco musician, but most importantly and unique, Alvaro has developed a rigorous teaching method that I have never found in any other Flamenco guitar maestro". He applies his method with utmost professionalism and discipline. An eye opener for me. My only maestro
I studied flamenco guitar with Álvaro during a long stay in Madrid. As a teacher, he finds a balance between rigorous and careful technique and the emotion and joy of the music. He not only helped me establish a strong foundation as a player, he joined me on a day trip to Seville where he helped me find and select a beautiful flamenco guitar. He is a wonderful teacher and a delightful person whom I now think of as a friend.
I have known Álvaro for a few years now, first taking a few daily lessons while he was on tour in Canada, then (nominally) weekly via Skype, interspersed with a couple of weeks of daily lessons in Madrid. His approach for me is the traditional listen-to-learn method somewhat adapted for a student from outside the culture with some classical guitar training. The focus is on specific falsetas with some technical and (especially) melodic/rhythmic ideas. I have found him a patient, generous teacher willing to help me work both on the things I want to and the problems I don’t see.
Álvaro is an extraordinary flamenco guitar teacher. I come from the blues/rock tradition and always thought my right-hand could never manage the acrobatics involved in flamenco guitar. Luckily, Alvaro enlightened me to think in a totally different way and I now improve my flamenco technique every single day. He truly is a master and a guide! Hats off to Maestro Alvaro!!