Who We Are
Casa Triana Flamenco is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit flamenco dance and music organization dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive flamenco community. Rooted in deep respect for tradition and a passion for education, we believe flamenco is a living art form meant to be shared, experienced, and passed on.
We believe flamenco is for everyone—whether pursued professionally or as a source of joy, expression, healing, and connection. Through our work, we strive to honor flamenco’s cultural significance while creating welcoming spaces where artists, students, and audiences can come together.
As we work toward securing a permanent home, Casa Triana operates through partnerships with community-based studios, schools, and venues across Chicago, allowing us to remain flexible, accessible, and deeply connected to the communities we serve.
What We Do
Casa Triana Flamenco works at the intersection of education, performance, and cultural engagement.
Education & Training
We offer flamenco dance and percussion classes for all ages and levels, integrating rhythm and movement to build strong technical foundations, artistic confidence, and a sense of belonging. Our programs support both emerging artists and individuals seeking meaningful artistic experiences.
Performance & Artistic Production
Casa Triana presents flamenco performances that bring professional artists and students together on stage, sharing the art with Chicago audiences through accessible, community-centered productions. Our performances create pathways from the studio to the stage while inviting audiences to experience flamenco as a living cultural tradition.
Outreach & Cultural Education
Through workshops, school programs, and community-based educational experiences, we introduce flamenco’s movement, rhythm, and cultural roots to diverse audiences. These initiatives expand access to the arts and foster cultural awareness, curiosity, and connection.
Meet the Founders
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Claudia Pizarro is a professional flamenco dancer and teacher with an extensive career in flamenco education and performance. Born in Mexico, she brings a rich cultural heritage to her work, blending Spanish and Mexican influences in both her teaching and performance. With decades of experience mentoring students of all ages, Claudia has established herself as a dedicated educator and passionate performer, deeply committed to the art of flamenco.
She began her professional career with Ensemble Español in 2002 under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko. Rising to the rank of First Dancer—the highest distinction given to any company member—she was featured in many of the company’s signature works. From 2019 to 2024, she danced professionally with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, where she deepened her experience in tablao performance, regularly performing at Tablao Albuquerque. During this time, she collaborated with renowned artists, including Concha Jareño, Marco Flores, and Estévez y Paños, under the artistic direction of Joaquín Encinias.
Claudia has performed across the United States, particularly throughout the Chicagoland area, sharing the stage with prominent flamenco artists and reaching diverse audiences. From 2014 to 2018, she also served as a Dance Instructor for teens through After School Matters in Chicago, reinforcing her long-standing commitment to arts education. In 2024–2025, she returned to Ensemble Español to serve as Artistic Director of their Youth Company, a role she has since completed.
She is currently the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Casa Triana Flamenco, a flamenco dance and percussion school based in Chicago. Casa Triana is dedicated to nurturing talent, building community, and preserving the rich tradition of flamenco culture through high-quality education. On June 7, 2025, Claudia co-produced and premiered Casa Triana’s first student show, "Tablao en Casa," a sold-out event that highlighted the school’s students and mission through performance.
Claudia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance from Northeastern Illinois University, graduating with honors in 2008. Her background in performance, teaching, and program development continues to make a lasting impact on the flamenco community, where she remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers and musicians.
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A percussionist from Caracas, Venezuela, has been dedicated to his craft since the age of eight. His musical journey began with "EL SISTEMA," Venezuela’s Youth Symphony Orchestras, where he performed and taught percussion under Maestro Edgar Saume. Javier earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Roosevelt University’s College of Performing Arts and has collaborated with notable artists including Rhonda Richmond, Reginald Veal, Herlin Riley, Cassandra Wilson, and Badi Assad.
Javier’s international career features performances at Beijing’s concert halls, The Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, as part of the Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Sones de Mexico Ensemble and instructed percussion at the People's Music School for over a decade.
During his time in Albuquerque from 2018 to 2024, Javier performed with The American Flamenco Repertory Company "Yjastros," participating in six editions of the Albuquerque Flamenco Festival. He had the pleasure of working with international artists such as Daniel Doña, Cristian Martín, and Estévez y Paños, and performed at the International "Festival de Flamenco de Jerez" in Spain in 2023. Additionally, he shared the stage with other local flamenco artists and taught at the National Institute of Flamenco and TANAM, a flamenco charter school, while contributing to the Dance Department at the University of New Mexico. Javier also collaborated with Rahim Alhaj.
Now back in Chicago, Javier is passionate about mentoring the next generation of musicians, helping them achieve their full potential as drummers, and expanding his expertise to serve the diverse musical community.