Manuel Betanzos

The ‘Olympics Coach of Flamenco’, Beacon of Light, Fire that forges the metal – Manuel is Master of the key, opening the doors to your learning. That is how students have come to know him. Director of the prestigious academy bearing his name, the Academia de Manuel Betanzos, he continues the lineage of great artists and teachers today, taking over the reins of the academy from Manolo Marín. Here, Flamenco of very high calibre is taught with artistry and wisdom drawn from its cradle source, and the art is a living, creative force in the pulse of the Academy’s day.

Manuel’s full dedication to teaching has built a strong foundation bearing the legacy of his hallmark teaching: remarkable talent, a constancy of style, charisma and irresistible energy backed by professional discipline and trustworthiness. As a testament to his teaching, Manuel is invited yearly to teach at the prestigious Festival de Jerez. It is a festival featuring Spain’s most recognised and acclaimed Maestros, drawing students and professionals worldwide to study from the very best. He is also highly sought-after worldwide for his workshops, including Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

“Many teach but few are able to tell you exactly what you need to hear. He teaches you to be bold, to be individual, to be expressive, to confront your fears, to step out of your comfort zone, and to breakdown stereotypes”, “His philosophy is to explore artistry, your essence, your truth, beyond mere steps and technique” – these are words shared by students whose lives he has touched.

What was the professional making of this remarkable man?

Manuel trained with some of the greatest names of Flamenco, considering Jose Galván, Manolo Marín and Mario Maya as his teachers. At the tender age of 14, he was already a soloist in the most prestigious tablaos in Seville – La Trocha, Los Gallos and El Arenal, fertile grounds for a young artist’s growth.

The adult Manuel went on to acquire a very wide range of experience through many significant roles: dancer of Spain’s established company, the Compañía Mario Maya; performer with acclaimed artists of our times such as Manuela Carrasco, Eva la Yerbabuena, Javier Barón, Israel Galván and Isabel Bayón; soloist with the honour of reprising Mario Maya’s signature dance role in the ‘Homage to Mario Maya’; répetiteur for the Compañía Andaluza de Danza; guest choreographer for the Compañía Rafael Amargo and assistant director to Rafaela Carrasco’s work La Punta y la Raíz, which awarded the prestigious 2013 Giraldillo award for Special Jury Prize.

Celebrated personalities have sought him out and the fun-loving Manuel is ever gung-ho for new experiences. He has collaborated on film projects with famous Japanese artists, Tsubasa Imai and Ren Osugi, and had the honour of actress Tomoko Yamaguchi in his classes. Oscar winner, Tim Yip, of Lee Ang’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame, also made a short film which included Manuel dancing and teaching in the Academy.