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
Meet the Cast
The Kings
Alejandro Molinero
as "Melchor"
Madrid, Spain
Madrid-born bailaor Alejandro Molinero trained with Rafael de Córdoba and graduated from the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma, later deepening his studies at the Ballet Nacional de España with masters including Javier Latorre, Maribel Gallardo, and Beatriz Martín. A soloist, choreographer, and educator working nationally and internationally, he has collaborated with the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía under Úrsula López and with director Andrés Marín on Carlos Saura’s Picasso y la Danza. First-prize winner at the XIX Certamen de Coreografía de Danza Española y Flamenco de Madrid, he directs his own company, Molinero en Compañía, and in 2025 choreographed for the Ballet Español de la Comunidad de Madrid.
Carlos Menchaca
as "Balthazar"
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
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.
Gretchen Williams
Cantaora
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque-based and Fulbright Scholar Gretchen Williams is a former soloist with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. She completed her doctorate in early modern Spanish history under acclaimed Romani linguist Dr. Ian Hancock and teaches flamenco history at Festival Flamenco Albuquerque, presenting her research at conferences nationally and internationally. She performed in the world premiere of Adam del Monte’s flamenco opera Llantos 1492 and performs regularly at Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, with Compañía Chuscales y Mina Fajardo in Santa Fe, and at tablaos across the U.S.
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.
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.
Carlos Menchaca
Principal
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.
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.
Gretchen Williams
Cantaora
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque-based and Fulbright Scholar Gretchen Williams is a former soloist with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. She completed her doctorate in early modern Spanish history under acclaimed Romani linguist Dr. Ian Hancock and teaches flamenco history at Festival Flamenco Albuquerque, presenting her research at conferences nationally and internationally. She performed in the world premiere of Adam del Monte’s flamenco opera Llantos 1492 and performs regularly at Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, with Compañía Chuscales y Mina Fajardo in Santa Fe, and at tablaos across the U.S.
Watch the Trailer
La Estrella 2025