Jonathan "Juanito" Pascual is widely regarded as one of the top young flamenco guitarists in the international music scene. Born in Minneapolis, MN (USA) on July 26, 1973 Pascual has become a new voice in this most Spanish of musical genres. His signature virtuosity, and warm, evocative playing, along with his original compositional style, have won him praise and admiration around the globe. Recognized in Spain as a creative voice, his frequent collaborations with Spanish artists include recent performances in Madrid's renowned Casa Patas with well-known flamenco singer/dancer Elena Andújar and members of the Maria Pagés Dance Company, plus forthcoming recording projects with pianist Alex Conde Carrasco, and flamenco singer "El Pola".

Juanito first picked up the guitar at age eleven discovering flamenco music at age fifteen. His first flamenco teacher, Mateo Davies, encouraged him to travel to Spain the following year where he was immersed in the flamenco culture, studying with teachers including Adam del Monte, Parilla de Jerez, Manolo Sanlucar, and El Entri. While at NEC Juanito’s teachers included classical guitarists David Leisner and Eliot Fisk and jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini. Most recently, he has been mentored by the Boston-based maestro Dimitri Goryachev.

Energized by a driving passion to share the beauty, and soul-stirring power of this ancient yet most vibrant and evolving musical style, Juanito brings the energy of hope and joy through his performances, recordings, and teaching. In 2003 Juanito completed his first CD "Cosas en Común" of all original flamenco compositions. The work has received critical acclaim and frequent radio play in the US and abroad. Juanito collaborated on the Grammy-winning chamber opera Ainadamar by Osvoldo Golijov, which had its debut at Tanglewood in 2003 and featured soprano Dawn Upshaw. Currently Juanito is working on a number of exciting projects including his second solo CD and a flamenco guitar method book due out in the spring of '09.