I have known Alvaro 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.
I studied flamenco guitar with Alvaro 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 been getting flamenco lessons for over ten years and never met a teacher like Alvaro 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
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!!
I have studied intermittently with Alvaro for several years now, and am extremely grateful to him for all the support he has given as a teacher. He methodically guided me through the basics of flamenco, and has since helped me to build on this foundation.
When I have difficulties with concepts, he reintroduces them in different contexts and clarifies the areas until the point has been grasped: luckily for me, Alvaro has always been a very patient and thorough teacher.
Alvaro carefully explains and demonstrates the various forms and techniques of flamenco, put
them in the context of the dance, song, or guitar solo. Alvaro opened up the world of flamenco for me, and for this, I cannot thank him enough.
It was a great honor for me to take part in a good and excellent teacher class like you.
I learned a lot of things. One of them always Stays in my mind is that our mind plays the most important role in learning Flamenco
Calm mind,strong mind,with will
For the majority of us flamenco lovers who want to get inducted in the art of flamenco guitar, we find lots of difficulties. However, I had the luck to meet Alvaro, a lovely teacher who knows how to adapt the each pupils' needs. A ver patient person, very aware of his pupils' development. I recommend him 100%
Last July it was a year that I have been taking lessons with Alvaro and I'm absolutely satisfied! I started pretty much from zero knowing very little about 'bulerias' and having one hour lesson per week my evolution has been considerable as I have learned rhythms and various solea 'falsetas', tangos, alegrias, fandangos and bulerias. This year we'll go for more! Is a very close person and a very good teacher.
What I liked about your masterclass was the way that you told us about the origin and culture of flamenco society at first. That each city has it's own color and smell in flamenco style and the main part is south of Spain. And you made an effort to teach us and help us to understand the rhythm.
Also about yourself maestro, in my idea you have a good behaviour..
With a good sense of humour in class but at the same time you are strict .That its good .you can manage the class very well and your class is energetic and not boring .
About your class...to tell you the truth, that was great for me...meeting you was wonderful and was an honor...the class was very useful and gave me new visions of flamenco...topics was new and effective..I was great after your class learned many things from you the king😊😉😍
During my first flamenco guitar lesson I had a really good time and Alvaro was passionate. Sometimes I don't understand the exercises very well and Alvaro needs to teach me slowly for me to understand better. He is a very serious person if I don't make my homework...haha... I love the fact that you want to get the best out of me. Thank you for everything Alvaro!
There is patience in your being that is very valuable...!
You were talking calmly about contents and techniques...
The lines of love and hope were in your eyes...
In the other word You are filled with a lot of love and tranquility...
Flamenco has always a special place in my life and it is an endless journey in my guitar learning.
Alvaro, he was my first guide and teacher in this journey. He did not only show us the original playing technics, different palos, falsetas, rhtyhms, counting and timing in flamenco guitar but also he learned us how to "feel the flamenco music".
It was a great experience for me to take part in his class & workshops in Istanbul.
Thank you maestro, thank you for everything..
I enjoyed Alvaro's lessons very much. On top of helping you progress rapidly, he is always very close in his lessons!
In the little time I have been playing, I feel comfortable with the guitar and Alvaro encourages me to keep on playing constantly.
Alvaro is very knowledgeable in the world of flamenco guitar. As a pupil I have achieved, thanks to his lessons, to increasingly love flamenco guitar.. his lessons are fun and at the same time dynamic and serious... He is committed to making you learn.. I recommend him 100%, very good 'maestro'.
Alvaro is a great teacher and person.
I started with my flamenco guitar lessons a couple of months ago to learn the concepts of dance accompaniment. I always saw flamenco as something unattainable, but through his lessons everything makes sense. His patience to explain the concepts beyond technique is invaluable.
The video recordings with his explanation after each lesson are very helpful to study on your own. Absolutely recommended!
