La Garbancito

Tamara la Garbancito is a graduate of UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance with a Bachelor of  Fine Arts with distinction. She currently serves on the UMKC Conservatory Alumni Board.  Tamara was part of the dance faculty at UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance for 10 years teaching character,  jazz, and of course flamenco to the conservatory's aspiring dancers. Currently she teaches for the Kansas City Ballet School at the downtown school and at the south location.  She also teaches a class for non professionals at City in Motion  Dance Theater.
A personal goal to share the rich tradition of Spanish dance, music, and culture has lead professional dancer, Tamara La Garbancito  to the national and international stage.  Combined with intensive training in the flamenco style of dance from “Andalusian gypsies in Barcelona, Spain, La Garbancito has also received extensive training in ballet, modern folkloric, jazz, and tap dance.  Tamara La Garbancito is the stage name given to her by Madrid’s world-renowned folkloric instructor, Don Juanjo Linares.

Her extensive performance resume includes work with American and international opera houses, symphonies, educational programs as a dancer, choreographer, and director.  Ever since her Barcelona days, Tamara has been committed to the profession of teaching Spanish dance, to fulfill her personal goal of encouraging respect for the Spanish culture.
As the founder and artistic director of OLE’ Music and Dance of Spain, Tamara has brought together a diverse group of talented musicians and dancers who share her vision of bringing the passion and energy of flamenco to all communities. Dressed in native Spanish costumes,  La Garbancito and her company use castanets and footwork to demonstrate the very colorful and lively dance and music of Spain.

Starting dance lessons at age 4, she has been training for over 40 years.  Her training has taken place around the globe including:               

These are the teachers and coaches she would like to thank for helping bring her to where she is today.