The National Institute of Flamenco Presents

La Estrella

A Flamenco Story of the King's Quest The National Institute of Flamenco presents La Estrella: A Flamenco Story of the Kings' Quest, a family-friendly holiday tradition! This magical production features Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, invited guest artists including singer Isa Jurado (Córdoba, Spain), guitarist Fernando Soto (Puebla, Mexico), Armando Tovar (Mexico City, Mexico), and a cast of student performers from the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts. La Estrella weaves flamenco dance and music, villancicos (Christmas carols), Spanish regional dances, Escuela Bolera, African Dance, and Las Posadas into an unforgettable holiday story. La Estrella is based on an anonymously authored medieval Spanish work titled El Auto de los Reyes Magos. This work is the oldest known play in Spanish and was written in the transcultural (Spanish, Moorish, Jewish, Roma) and translingual city of Toledo. The original manuscript is currently housed in the Biblioteca Nacional de España (National Library of Spain).

The Story

Program

Act One The Kings and Their Lands Three kings from distant lands — Arabia, Africa, and Europe — witness a star and set out on a quest to find a newborn king. Each brings the dances, music, and spirit of their world as they journey toward their encounter.

Act Two The Gifts The kings arrive to offer their gifts — gold, myrrh, and frankincense — each rendered through the movement and music of Yjastros and the Teeños company. A pause for reflection before the journey continues.

Act Three Posadas The story moves into the beloved Las Posadas tradition — shepherds, villagers, angels, and the nativity unfold through the voices and dances of the youth cast, culminating in a full-company celebration and the adoration of the Magi.

Get Tickets

NEW THIS YEAR: 4 SHOWS

Friday December 18 Rodey Theatre · Albuquerque 7:00 PM Get tickets

Saturday December 19 Rodey Theatre · Albuquerque 2:00 PM Get tickets

Sunday December 19 Rodey Theatre · Albuquerque 7:00 PM Get tickets

Sunday December 20 Rodey Theatre · Albuquerque 2:00 PM Get tickets

Meet the Cast

La Estrella brings together an extraordinary ensemble of professional artists and the next generation of flamenco talent. Joining Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company and our guest artists on stage is a cast of students from the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts, ranging from young beginners to advanced pre-professional dancers who have dedicated years to this art form. Together, they make La Estrella the joyful, large-scale celebration it is!

The Kings

Alejandro Molinero as "Melchor" [Location] [Bio placeholder]

Carlos Menchaca as "Baltasar Albuquerque, New Mexico Carlos Menchaca trained in Mexican folkloric dance, Spanish classical dance, ballet, and flamenco before moving to Albuquerque in 2006 to study at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and work with Yjastros. Now a Yjastros soloist, teacher, and choreographer, he has worked with leading flamenco artists including Antonio Canales, José Maya, Concha Jareño, Mercedes "La Winy" Amaya, and Nino de los Reyes.

Armando Tovar as "Gaspar" Mexico City, Mexico Mexico City–born bailaor Armando Tovar Rubio has trained extensively in Mexico and Spain with artists including Alfonso Losa, José Maya, Belén López, and Isabel Bayón. He has performed internationally in leading tablaos, theaters, and festivals and collaborated with artists including Pitingo, La Moneta, and Karime Amaya. A recipient of Mexico's FONCA Creadores Escénicos award, he created his original production Bailaor through a choreographic laboratory with Marién Luévano and Karen Lugo.

The Musicians

Isa Jurado Cantaora Córdoba, Spain Córdoba-born cantaora Isa Jurado began her flamenco vocal training at age 18 and has studied with artists including Rafael Trenas and Manuel Moreno Maya "El Pele." Winner of the Fosforito Cante Prize at Córdoba's 2018 Young Flamenco Competition, she has performed internationally throughout Europe and the Americas. In 2022, she premiered her original concert Mis Referentes, with El Pele serving as musical director.

Fernando Soto Guitarist Puebla, Mexico Fernando Soto "El Quillo" is a Mexican flamenco guitarist, composer, and educator with an extensive career as both a soloist and accompanist. A finalist in the International Flamenco Guitar Competition in Córdoba, Spain, he has performed throughout Mexico and internationally and accompanied renowned flamenco artists including Antonio Canales, María Juncal, Marién Luévano, and Marcela Morín. A longtime presence in Mexico's flamenco community, Soto was a guitarist at Mexico City's celebrated Gitanerías and co-founded the ensemble Aire Gitano.

The Company

Joaquín Encinias Artistic Director Albuquerque, New Mexico Born into one of America's few flamenco families and immersed in the art form since childhood, Joaquín Encinias is among the most sought-after flamenco artists and educators in North America. He has collaborated with world-renowned artists including Antonio Canales, Eva La Yerbabuena, Los Farrucos, Manolete, Carmen La Talegona, and Mercedes Amaya. As Artistic Director of Yjastros, he has choreographed over 20 original works and curated over 60 choreographies, redefining flamenco through innovative use of space and deep musical fluency.

Isabella Alderete Corps Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque native Isabella Alderete began training at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts at age five and earned a B.A. in Dance with a concentration in flamenco from the University of New Mexico. A corps member of Yjastros since 2024 and faculty member at the Conservatory, she won first place in the professional Escenario category at Flamenco Vivo's Certamen USA and has performed in New Mexico, New York, and Madrid.

Noelle Encinias Soloist Albuquerque, New Mexico Fifth-generation flamenco dancer Noelle Encinias began studying ballet at age three and flamenco at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts at age five. Trained by Joaquín Encinias, she has also studied with artists including Belén López, Karime Amaya, and Carmen Coy, and first performed with Yjastros in 2011.

Vicente Griego Cantaor Dixon, New Mexico Vicente Griego "El Cartucho" is a flamenco singer from Dixon/Embudo, New Mexico, who began touring with the José Greco II Flamenco Dance Company in 1992. A member of Yjastros, he has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America and is also the lead singer of the rumba flamenca band ReVóZo.

Kayla Lyall Principal Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque native Kayla Lyall began dancing at the National Institute of Flamenco as a child and later studied in Spain before becoming a principal dancer with Yjastros. An accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator with master's degrees in education and dance, she teaches at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and co-directs the Institute's pre-professional training company; her solo work NUDE was featured at Festival Flamenco Alburquerque in 2026.

Andrea M. Lozano Senior Corps Laredo, Texas Andrea M. Lozano began dancing at age four in Laredo, Texas, and moved to Albuquerque in 2014 to deepen her flamenco training with the Encinias family, later earning a B.A. in Dance with a concentration in Flamenco from the University of New Mexico. She is a Senior Corps Dancer with Yjastros, has performed with the company at Festival de Jerez in Spain, and currently teaches at both UNM and the National Institute of Flamenco.

Olivia Marín Corps Denver, Colorado Olivia Marín began dancing flamenco at age 15 in Denver under María Vásquez before moving to Albuquerque in 2012 to study at the National Institute of Flamenco and the University of New Mexico under Eva, Marisol, and Joaquín Encinias. She joined Yjastros in 2016 and has studied with renowned flamenco artists including Tacha González, Daniel Doña, Pedro Córdoba, and La Popi.

Isabella Nuanez Corps Albuquerque, New Mexico Born and raised in Albuquerque, Isabella Nuanez began dancing at the National Institute of Flamenco at age three and continued her studies at Tierra Adentro of New Mexico and the University of New Mexico's flamenco program. She joined Yjastros in 2024 and continues to perform while sharing flamenco with communities throughout New Mexico as an educator and administrator.

Elena Osuna Soloist Embudo Valley, New Mexico Elena Osuna is a flamenco dancer from Northern New Mexico's Embudo Valley who has performed nationally and internationally, including appearances in New York, Los Angeles, Granada, Mexico City, and Festival Flamenco Alburquerque. A soloist with Yjastros, she also performs regularly in tablaos throughout New Mexico and teaches at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and Tierra Adentro of New Mexico.

Watch the Trailer

La Estrella 2025