Buen Viaje Maestra Carmelilla Montoya ??

Foto: Alonso Espartero

Sadly we announce the passing of the artist Carmelilla Montoya. Descansa en paz nuestro pésame a su familia…

«My time is up and I’m quitting the stages». Carmelilla Montoya is saying farewell to her professional career for health reasons. But she’ll do it while being honored by over fifty artists with whom she’ll share a special gala at Seville’s Fibes Auditorium on December 5th at 9 PM. Some of them joined the presentation of this event to the media, an act which took place in the theater of the Cristina Heeren Foundation, an entity which is collaborating with this charitable show.

Carmelilla Montoya, born in Seville in 1962, is an artist with roots in Triana, daughter of Carmen Montoya, niece of Antonia La Negra and Juan Montoya, and cousin of Lole Montoya. She started dancing when she was a little girl, as attested by the iconic TV series Rito y geografía del cante. Since she was 9 years old, she was part of the ensemble La Familia Montoya. When she was 15 years old, she was awarded the National Prize of Baile Flamenco by Jerez’s Cátedra de Flamencología. She continued her career performing with artists such as Camarón, Antonio Canales and Paco de Lucía. She has also taken part in shows such as Fedra, together with Lola Greco and Amador Rojas, and La Farruca’s Gitanas. In 2012 she released her CD Homenaje, with the collaboration of Miguel Poveda, La Tana, Raimundo Amador, Remedios Amaya and Alba Molina, among others, showcasing her other artistic talent as cantaora, a talent which she has also explored since she was a little girl. She’s been part of the teaching staff at the Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco since 2017.