As a very special treat for the guitar lovers, Taranta Festival present this year the acclaimed flamenco guitar maestro Paco Lara.

Paco will give a special master class for flamenco beginners. If you are would like an advanced masterclass send us a message!

Francisco Lara Puerto (Paco Lara) is an acclaimed flamenco guitarist from the authentic cradle of Flamenco that is Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Born into a family of flamenco aficionados. At just 16 years of age, Paco began working professionally as a flamenco guitarist with his brother, the singer José Lara, recording 2 albums and touring extensively. Paco was also teacher and promoter of his younger brother, Santiago Lara, who won 1st prize in La Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla (2000), Spain’s most prestigious guitar competition.

Embodying the unmistakable and genuine Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing, Paco has toured Internationally alongside Maestro Paco Cepero, one of flamenco’s most legendary guitarists and composers.

Paco has also been at the vanguard of Flamenco Fusion with hugely successful bands such as El Barrio (from 2000 to 2003) and Los Delinqüentes (from 2007 to 2011).

Apart from his skill as a formidable soloist, Paco is also revered for his ability as an accompanist in the specialised world of flamenco singing (Cante). This is evident in his having recorded and performed for years with Flamenco’s most significant artists including Beni de Cádiz, Juan Moneo “El Torta," Miguel Flores “El Capullo de Jerez,” Tomasa Guerrero “La Macanita,” Remedios Amaya, Jose de los Camarones, etc.

As an accompanist to flamenco dance (Baile), Paco has participated in many European tours with famed flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruiz from Jerez, in her concerts “Dibujos en el Aire," “Gestos de Mujer” and “Perspectivas."

The latter was awarded the “Critics Choice” at The Festival de Jerez in 2011 and this project has been represented in prestigious programs and festivals across Europe including “Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba," “Festival Plaza Flamenca," “Teatro Compac Gran Vía Madrid," “Fiesta de la Bulería de Jerez," “Bienal de Sevilla," “Casa de la Música Moscow," “Festival Flamenco," and “October Festival Munich."

Since September 2017 Paco has called Australia home where he has worked performing around the country with different dance companies among which, we can highlight : Compañia Pepa Molina (Sydney), Alma Flamenca (Adelaide), Flamenqueando Productions (Adelaide), Bandaluzia (Sydney), Flamenkisimo (Sydney), Compañia Lauren Majarrés (Sydney) y Tabanko Flamenko (Newcastle) performing in Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne in diverse festivals and theatres.