5 preguntas con José Maldonado

Discipline, love, and knowledge.

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That’s how bailaor, coreografo and pintor José Maldonado defines himself and his work.

As a long time aficionada del flamenco, it was truly a pleasure and honor to reach out to someone as creative and innovative as José for our “5 Preguntas” series.

I was surprised at how much of what he shared were sentiments I could relate to personally–the feeling of truly living flamenco, rather than just turning it on or off at the studio–as well as connecting through sorrow and pain through cante flamenco.

My first experience with flamenco was in Sacromonte, Granada, as a student taking a semester abroad nearly fifteen years ago. Granada has a special place in my heart when it comes to my connection and understanding of flamenco–so it’s only fitting that José is starring in Federico García, a show about the life and work of granaíno Federico García Lorca by Pep Tosar.

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We connected with José to ask him a few questions:

1) What is your first memory or first experience with flamenco?

My first memory of flamenco is linked to dance in an almost instinctive way, but if I have to talk about my first real connection with the feeling of flamenco, that came through the music. It was when I listened to Mayte Martín's album Navega sola. At that precise moment, I truly understood what melancholy meant and fully connected with the emotional depth of flamenco.

2) How do you experience flamenco in your everyday life (both on and offstage)?

For me, flamenco isn't something you can turn on and off; it's completely integrated into my life. If I'm not dancing it on stage or in the studio, I'm thinking about it, and if I'm not listening to it, it's with me in one way or another. It's part of my daily life.

3) Describe your work in 3 words. Would you use those same words to describe you as a person?

Discipline, love, and knowledge.

And yes, I truly believe those words define me as a person. Ultimately, for me, life is precisely about that: growing and evolving in every aspect. This growth is only possible thanks to discipline and having a clear goal. But above all, there is love; I try to integrate love into absolutely everything I do, everything I say, and everything that is part of my life.

4) Do you have any unusual rituals or passions that influence your artistic practice?

Yes, I have a ritual that I've followed for some time now. Before going on stage, I always like to write myself a letter. In it, I express the profound meaning of what I'm about to do: I explain to myself the why and the wherefore of the creation, and who it's intended for. Writing these words calibrates me, connects me with the purpose of art, and places me spiritually in the exact spot where I like to be before stepping onto the stage.

5) What’s a highlight that stands out for you in your flamenco career?

A pivotal moment in my career was with my choreography Mojácar, with which I won the Certamen Coreográfico. At that moment, I felt and understood the path I wanted to take in flamenco: I knew that my driving force was storytelling and creating from an imaginative and creative place, but always keeping flamenco as my primary language. Besides giving me that direction, it was the definitive starting point for me to begin creating my own shows.

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Federico García will be at the Teatre Raval in Barcelona now through July 26, 2026, featuring performers José Maldonado and Rubén Molina (dance), Mariola Membrives, Anna Colom, Ana Brenes (cante), Marc López and Frederico Vannini (guitar), David Domínguez and Álvaro López (percussion), and Pep Tosar (Director).

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Excerpt from José Maldonado's Galería (2022)