Irit began her Flamenco dance studying in Tel-Aviv with the great Mijal Natan and later on in Sevilla and Jerez, Spain with such teachers as Manolo Marin, Domingo Ortega, Alicia Marquez, and the late Javier Cruz. She was a lead dancer in the Israeli Flamenco Company “COMPAS”.
Irit served as a non-commissioned officer in the IDF, educating soldiers from underserved communities. She received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Tel-Aviv university in the year 2000. She then continued to dance in shows, theaters and festivals around the world including performances in Israel, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Armenia and the USA.
After moving to California, Irit performed alongside acclaimed performers such as Laila and Adam Del Monte, Juan Talavera, Maria Bermudez, Manuel Guttierez, Antonio Triana and Antonio De Jerez at such theaters as the Alex Theater, the Fountain Theater, the Whitefire and more. She was the lead dancer at the UCLA production of the opera “Lorca y Las Mujeres” and her role as “La Luna”, the inspiration of the renowned poet Gabriel Garcia Lorca, was critically acclaimed. She also performed the role of “La Luna” in the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts production of “Lorca y Las Mujeres”. She most recently performed in the Jerez Flamenco Festival with the choreography of the great Javier Latorre.
Irit has been teaching Flamenco since 1996. Her dedication, enthusiasm and focus on high leveled technique as well as self-expression are the principles of her teaching method. She is the founder and owner of STUDIO K’TAN – a home for flamenco in Los Angeles, and host of great flamenco masters such as Mijal Natan, Alfonso Losa, Concha Jareño, Maria Juncal, Ivan Vargas, Adrian Santana, Lola Mayo, Agueda Saavedra, and Jose Maya. Irit is also the founder and artistic director of the Studio K’tan dance company, producing its original productions, such as “Un Pozo Chico” at the Main Theater, as well as collaborating with the Kol Sephardic Ladino Choir, offering a unique fusion of Jewish music and Flamenco dance.
Upon observing how flamenco benefits the body, mind and soul of dancers and realizing its healing power, Irit became dedicated to extending this precious “cure” to the LA community. For the past several years, Irit has taught a free community class every week.
As a hard-of-hearing mother of hard-of-hearing children, Irit is actively supporting and practicing INCLUSIVE ART EDUCATION for people of all hearing levels. Inspired by great deaf artists such as the incredible flamenco dancer Antonita La Singla and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. She is an advocate for accessibility and equal opportunities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is a fighter against audism.
REVIEWS:
“Irit is a fantastic flamenco teacher! She is genius at making learning flamenco fun and at breaking rhythms and movements down to their quantum level so that anyone can fully learn to do them correctly!” (Janet)
“My favorite thing about Irit’s class is that I always leave having learned something new. Specific to detail, excellent rhythm and her patience to break down each step and work with all levels is truly remarkable. I say this with one hundred percent authenticity from the heart. She truly is a wonderful, generous, and passionate flamenco spirit!” (Adrian)
“Studio owner, flamenco dancer and teacher Irit Specktor is warm, welcoming, passionate, and generous of spirit. She regularly brings fantastic flamenco artists from Spain and beyond to Studio K’tan for intimate, top notch workshops. Do not miss out on going to Studio K’tan; it is well worth traveling to Irit’s studio for classes and a workshop with a visiting artist.” (Kassandra)
“Irit is an amazing teacher and dancer. She’s very communicative and dedicated to her students’ success. Classes are very affordable, the studio is intimate and everyone is very friendly. Highly recommend to anyone interested in getting a good workout, learning a new dance and meeting great people :-)” (Ellen)
A LITTLE SNEAK PEEK AT OUR TANGOS CLASS