The Guitar Teacher – Professional Flamenco Guitarist with International Education

Professional guitar teacher in Rotterdam

My name is Vicente Santiago, professional flamenco guitarist and experienced guitar teacher in Rotterdam.

I started playing guitar at the age of 10 and soon developed a great passion for music. To fully immerse myself in the instrument, I studied classical and flamenco guitar at the Conservatory of Córdoba in Spain. Then I continued my education with a master guitar at Codarts Rotterdam, where I completed my studies with a 9.5.

As a professional guitarist, I have performed as a soloist and vocal and dance supervisor at various stages and festivals. Among other things, I played in the iconic Het Concertgebouw and in the BIMHUIS, in addition to many other concert halls and festivals in Europe.

Flamenco as a mother language

Spanish music, and especially flamenco, can be compared to a language.
A language consists not only of words, but also of culture, habits and subtle musical codes that you can learn not only from books or methods.

I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment where music was a natural part of everyday life. Flamenco and Spanish music were always present. Since I was twelve I have been playing music with my family and my environment.

In addition to this cultural background, I also followed an academic education: first in Spain and later a master's degree at Codarts in Rotterdam.

For me, therefore, flamenco is not only something I studied, but a musical language in which I grew up. Just like with a native language, you notice the difference when someone not only learned a language, but also really grew up with it.

That is also what I want to convey in my lessons: not only the technique of guitar playing, but also the feeling, style and musical significance that make this music so special.

A Spanish flamenco guitarist in the Netherlands

In 2012, I was given the opportunity to study at Codarts Rotterdam for nine months through the Erasmus program. For me that was a big step: a new country, a different culture and a totally different music world than in Spain.

At first it took some getting used to, but soon I started to feel at home in the Netherlands. The openness of the people, the lively musical culture and the many opportunities to perform made a deep impression on me.

After my studies, I therefore decided to return to Rotterdam to further build my career as a flamenco guitarist here. Since then I have performed on various stages in Europe and collaborated with singers, dancers and musicians from different countries.

In 2024, I also received a scholarship from Het Cultuurfonds for the purchase of a new flamenco guitar, an important recognition for my artistic work.

Today I share my passion for flamenco guitar through performances and by giving private guitar lessons in Rotterdam, combining my experience from the flamenco tradition and the conservatory to guide students in the best possible way