Julia Banzi

Instructor of World Music, Flamenco Guitar, and Folk Guitar

Julia Banzi is a multi-lingual Lewis & Clark alum with PhD in Music, specializing in Ethnomusicology, from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her academic training and extensive research in the field have equipped her with a deep understanding of music cultures and traditions from around the world.

Julia’s PhD Doctoral Dissertation examined changes in the flamenco guitar tradition initiated by Paco de Lucia while her Masters Thesis uncovered a historical void of nearly seven hundred years of Women’s Andalusian Ensembles in the Arab world and placed them back on the music historical record.

Julia Banzi began her career as a pioneer as a female flamenco guitarist where she lived and learned in Spain from some of the giants of flamenco guitar including her principal teachers Isidro Muñoz (Familia Muñoz-Sanlúcar) in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain; Felipe Maya, Juan Maya “Marote,” David Serva (Diego del Moron), Rafael Morales and Gerardo Nuñez. Her more recent maestros are Antonio Rey who won the 2020 Latin Grammy award.

Julia Banzi is a devoted teacher, composer and performer who truly enjoys working with students of all levels. Whether in flamenco, folk or classical, Julia provides students with a solid foundation on the guitar while guiding students toward creating original music they can call their own. Many of her students have gone on to become professional musicians (Elliott Smith was one of Julia students!). At all levels, from learning to play their favorite songs to accompanying flamenco singers and dancers, Julia prepares students with both solo and ensemble skills and toward a lifetime of enjoyment and proficiency on the instrument. Fluent in Castellano, Julia instructs in both English & Spanish.

Julia is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who frequently gives talks worldwide on the subject of guitar, flamenco and women and music.

Julia has five albums and toured worldwide for decades with her international performance group the Al-Andalus Ensemble which she also co-directed.

Winner of the “Peoples Grammy Award” for “Best World Music Song” and nominated for the “Best Contemporary Classical Album.”

“A delightful proposition of exquisite music!” El Pais. Madrid, Spain.

Academic Credentials

Phd Music (Ethnomusicology) University of California, Santa Barbara 2007

MA Music University of California, Santa Barbara 2002

B.M. Lewis & Clark College, Portland Oregon 1996