Biography

Juan Talavera was born of Mexican/Spanish Ancestry and raised in East Los Angeles, California.  At the age of 12, Talavera ventures into intense Flamenco Dance studies with legendary Flamenco Dance Teacher Antonio Triana. Talavera has since studied with Luisa Triana, Ciro, Manolo Marin, Jose Galvan and Concha Vargas, all legendary Masters of Flamenco Dance.

Juan has workshopped with Israel Galvan, Antonio Canales, Juana Amaya, Maria Del Mar Moreno, Juan De Juan, and Andres Pena in Irvine, Calif. during annual Flamenco Festivals presented by the Barclay Theatre.

In 2005, he travels to the emerging Flamenco city of Jerez, Spain, to study with Manolete, Angelita Gomez, Ana Maria Gonzales, Javier La Torre and Javier Baron during their annual Winter Flamenco Festival. In September 2006, Juan again studies with Andres Pena and Angel Atienza, in Sevilla, Spain.  2007 brought further studies with Atienza, and Manuel Betanzos, at the Betanzos Studio.

Juan has performed with Antonio and Luisa Triana, Lola Montes, Carmen Mora, Rosa Montoya, Lourdes Rodriguez, Linda Vega, Maria Bermudez, La Tania, Yaeliza and Yolanda Arroyo. He frequently performs as guest artist at Hollywood's Fountain Theatre.

With his companies, Flamenco Bravo! and The Men of Flamenco, Juan appears in  concerts, operas, and choreographed the Orange County Performing Arts Center production of Bizet’s opera "Carmen", and the daytime drama "General Hospital."

Talavera and members of his two companies appeared in the 2004 production of Carmen for Opera L.A. at the Los Angeles Music Center, the orchestra conducted by Placido Domingo, for 15 sold-out performances.

In motion pictures and television, he has performed with Shirley McLaine, Michael Caine, Herbert Lom, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, John Wayne, Betty White, Lucille Ball, Andy Garcia, Ann Sothern, Miguel Ferrer, Fernando Lamas, Ben Gazzara, Tony Plana, Elizabeth Peña, Tippi Hedren, Bob Hope, Robert Loggia, Don Knotts, Carmen Zapata, Timothy Bottoms and Claude Atkins.

Talavera currently instructs Spanish and Flamenco Dance at his New Studio in Whittier, California.

Juan is in constant demand for workshops and master classes at leading colleges and universities, and has held residencies at Stephens College, Colombia, Missouri, The University of Missouri, at Kansas City, Cal. State University - Long Beach, UCLA, Pomona College, USC, Cal State University Los Angeles, Cypress College, Whittier College, Chapman University, and will be returning to Cal Arts University for his 7th Dance Master Class in flamenco in July, 2008!  He conducted a two-day intensive workshop for flamenco at Citrus College in Azuza, Calif. in June, 2004.

For information regarding Bookings, Classes, Concert Performances, Lectures, Promotions, Corporate Events, Theme Events, Parties, Weddings, and Flamenco Event Planning please call Juan Talavera at 562-699-7595 or e-mail: bailaorflamenco@verizon.net.