My Flamenco Journey
Dreams followed by actions are very powerful
Ana María Barceló is a Puerto Rican flamenco bailaora (dancer), choreographer, producer, and educator dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of flamenco through performance and education. With more than 25 years of teaching and performing experience, she has established herself as one of Houston’s leading flamenco artists while maintaining strong artistic ties to Puerto Rico and Spain.
From an early age, Ana María developed a passion for dance. At the age of three, she began studying ballet, and by the age of eight, she was training full-time with renowned Cuban dancers Miguel Campanería and Ana María Castañón. At just eleven years old, she was selected to become a member of the San Juan Municipal Ballet Group. A few years later, she discovered the world of Spanish dance and began studying Classical Spanish Dance, laying the foundation for what would become her lifelong dedication to flamenco.
After moving to Valencia, Spain, to pursue a Master’s degree in Screenwriting, Ana María fell deeply in love with the art of flamenco. She began intensive flamenco training and quickly advanced to the school’s highest-level classes. Upon returning to Puerto Rico in 2005, she continued her studies with renowned flamenco artist Antonio Santaella of Granada, Spain, who selected her to become a member of the flamenco company Mosaico Almudéjar.
As a member of the company, Ana María performed at prestigious venues, including the Francisco Arriví Theater, the Bellas Artes Theater, and the Puerto Rico Museum of Art Theater, in productions such as El Crimen Fue en Granada and Flamenco, Raíces Nuestras, among many others. She also performed regularly at renowned tablaos, including El Chotis, La Guitarra, and Barrachina.
Following years of intensive training in Spain and Argentina, Ana María launched her professional career as a flamenco soloist, teacher, choreographer, and producer. She collaborated with many of Puerto Rico’s leading flamenco singers and musicians while producing and performing in numerous productions throughout the island.
After relocating to Houston, Texas, in 2012, Ana María founded the Ana María Barceló Flamenco School, where she has dedicated herself to training dancers of all ages and levels while promoting authentic flamenco through classes, workshops, educational programs, and theatrical productions. Under her artistic direction, the school has become an important center for flamenco education and performance in the Houston area.
Over the years, Ana María has produced numerous original flamenco productions in Houston, creating opportunities for both professional artists and emerging dancers to share the stage. She has also directed and produced ten annual student showcases, each reflecting the continued growth and artistic development of her school. With every passing year, her student community continues to grow, making the Ana María Barceló Flamenco School one of the region’s most active and respected flamenco programs.
Ana María performs regularly throughout the Houston area and frequently presents theatrical flamenco productions at the historic River Oaks Theatre. She has also collaborated with distinguished musicians and cultural organizations throughout the United States. She was featured as part of the Featuring Artist Series at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and has performed with the acclaimed Newberry Consort in Chicago. She has also collaborated with Early Music of Houston, presenting programs that explore the historical connections between early music and flamenco. In addition, she has performed with the Houston Grand Opera alongside internationally acclaimed soprano Ana María Martínez in La Suite Española: Explorando Iberia.
Throughout her career, Ana María has remained committed to lifelong artistic growth, regularly traveling to Spain to continue her studies with renowned flamenco masters. Her work combines technical excellence, artistic authenticity, and a deep respect for the traditions of flamenco while inspiring new generations of dancers through education and performance.
Today, Ana María continues to perform, choreograph, teach, produce, and direct original flamenco productions, sharing the passion, strength, and cultural richness of flamenco with audiences throughout the United States and internationally.