Claudia & Julian, a.k.a. “Calú” and “Jules,” are a flamenco duo based in the Region of Waterloo. The duo met as they were both taking flamenco lessons in Spain in 2012 and a few years later, got settled in Waterloo. Julian trained in the world music department, in the flamenco guitar program at Codarts Conservatory in the Netherlands, and Claudia has been chiselling away at flamenco and Spanish dance since she was 12-years old, taking classes at several Toronto academies, doing short courses in Spain, and master classes with renowned flamenco artists, in addition to completing post-secondary programs in dance and music. For the past several years, they have dedicated their careers to cultivating a local KW flamenco scene through their annual Flamenco Fest, weekly lessons, workshops, and shows in the community. Julian is the guitarist, accompanist, and music arranger of the duo, while Claudia functions as the the dancer-singer. In addition to working in KW, they also teach and perform at flamenco events and with flamenco artists in Toronto. More recently, they have both been working on graduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier Music where Julian finished his Masters in, “Collaboration, Curation, and Creative Performance,” in 2025 and where Claudia is pursuing a PhD in community music. Claudia and Julian are passionate about connecting with community members, trying to make the arts more accessible to a variety of income brackets, and in watching their students improve at their craft.
Claudia Aguirre
Claudia Aguirre’s training in Spanish dance began with one of Toronto’s Spanish dance pioneers, Paula Moreno. She later spent several years training with at Carmen Romero’s School of Flamenco Dance Arts and later studied with renowned dancer, Maria Serrano. During trips to Spain, Claudia has studied with leading flamenco professionals of Seville’s flamenco scene and in 2023, Claudia was awarded an OAC mentorship grant to augment her training. In addition to flamenco, Claudia has practiced jazz, musical theatre, and more. She holds Certificates in Commercial Dance and Commercial Jazz, and Honours B.A. and M.A. in Dance. Claudia co-runs her own business with her spouse, whereby she cultivates the flamenco scene in Kitchener-Waterloo. Claudia and her spouse founded the Little KW Flamenco Fest, a non-profit organization with the aim of spreading the love of flamenco in the Waterloo Region. Claudia is currently a PhD student at Wilfrid Laurier Music researching arts for well-being for older adults.
Julian Berg
Julian Berg is a flamenco guitarist from Oslo, Norway, and graduate of the flamenco guitar program at Codarts Conservatory in the Netherlands. Now based in the Region of Waterloo, with regular appearances in the GTA, he dedicates himself to cultivating a local flamenco scene through the Little KW Flamenco Fest, lessons, workshops, and shows he puts on in the community. He is passionate about music composition, and feels his biggest accomplishments are watching his students grow at their craft and enjoying flamenco. He is committed music teacher and guitarist, with experience teaching students of all ages in individual and small group settings. Areas of expertise include flamenco, pedagogy, and arts administration by default.