Introducing La Luz de Liz:

Inspiring & Educating Young Artists Through the Power of Live Performance

At the National Institute of Flamenco, we’ve always believed in the power of flamenco to change lives—especially the lives of young people. Over the years, our student companies, Niños Flamencos and Teeños Flamencos, have grown into more than just training programs. They are communities where young dancers find themselves, support one another, and work hard—really hard—at something meaningful.

La Luz de Liz is our way of making sure that these young people don’t just do flamenco—they get to experience it at the highest level. Named in honor of Liz Alarid, who found deep light and inspiration through flamenco, this initiative is about creating opportunities for our students to see the world’s most incredible flamenco artists live, right here in Albuquerque, during the 38th Annual Festival Flamenco Alburquerque.

This June, through La Luz de Liz:

Our Teeños Flamencos (ages 13–18)—joined by young artists from Tierra Adentro of New Mexico (TANM) and the Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA)—will attend all 14 of the festival performances. Together, they’ll witness a range of artistic voices and styles, every night of the festival.
Our Niños Flamencos (ages 8–12) will attend five specially selected shows earlier in the evening—curated for their age and interests.
The students will attend these performances with peers and mentors who help guide conversations before and after each show: What are we seeing? What’s inspiring? What questions do we have? How does this connect to the work they’re doing in the studio?

And just as important as the performances themselves are the spaces we create around them. The students will gather before the festival at a Kickoff Pizza Party, and again afterward at a Post-Festival Picnic—a chance to laugh, talk, reflect, and be together. These shared moments let flamenco move beyond the stage and into their lives, friendships, and sense of purpose.

This isn’t just about watching shows—it’s about creating space for young artists to think deeply, connect to something bigger, and feel like they’re part of a living, evolving art form. It’s about being inspired. It’s about becoming.

We’ve seen what happens when kids grow up in this work—many of the students performing today have been with us for most of their lives. They’ve been rehearsing all year. They’ve made real friendships. They’ve taken on hard things and supported each other through it. This work gives them something real to hold onto. It connects them to who they are, and to a community that values them.

That’s what Futuros Flamencos—our student concert—is all about. This performance brings together Niños Flamencos, Teeños Flamencos, and students from TANM and PAPA. It’s not only a celebration of their work—it’s also a benefit for La Luz de Liz. When you buy a ticket or make a donation, you’re helping make this experience possible for all of our students.

We believe young people deserve access to beauty, to brilliance, to the kind of inspiration that stays with you forever. That’s what we’re building with La Luz de Liz.

It’s not just about attending performances—it’s about building a generation of young artists who are grounded, inspired, and deeply connected to flamenco and to each other.

As of now, 40 young people are participating in the La Luz de Liz initiative, with a total program cost of $34,736.00. This investment supports performance tickets, mentorship, gatherings, and guided reflection—ensuring that each participant receives a full, immersive experience during the 38th Annual Festival Flamenco Alburquerque.

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