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Concert 7:30 - 9:00 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM
This concert is a part of the Vancouver Flamenco Festival 2026. A concert by Philippe Jean & Iminah Kani (Montreal/Salt Spring Island), co-presented by Vancouver Alliance Française.
Montreal guitarist Philippe Jean and Victoria-based guitarist Iminah Kani will each present a solo performance, showcasing their individual artistic voices and years of dedication to the flamenco tradition. Both artists have pursued advanced studies in Spain and have become active performers within Canada's flamenco community, while developing their own unique musical approaches.
During the evening, the Victor Kolstee Award will also be presented. Created in memory of Victor Kolstee, the award supports the development of emerging flamenco guitarists in Canada by helping them pursue advanced studies in Spain. This year's recipient is Philippe Jean, while Iminah Kani was the inaugural recipient in 2024. The award reflects Victor's lifelong passion for flamenco guitar and his belief in supporting future generations of artists.
About the Artists
In 2018, Iminah Kani began studying the art of flamenco guitar with local phenom flamenco guitarist Gareth Owen. Since then, she’s gone on to perform at the 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 Victoria Flamenco Festivals as well as the 2021, 2024 and 2025 Vancouver International Flamenco Festival. Iminah Kani has received two scholarships from the Flamenco de la Isla Society and has been featured in an article by The Georgia Straight News for her flamenco achievements. In 2024, Iminah Kani received the inaugural Victor Kolstee Award, which allowed her to study flamenco at the renowned Fundación Cristina Heeren in Sevilla, Spain. In 2025 she was awarded a Media-Beca (half scholarship) from the Fundación Cristina Heeren. In June 2026, Iminah Kani finished studying in Sevilla at the Fundación Cristina Heeren and has returned to Victoria, BC where she currently resides.
Philippe Jean is a Montreal-based flamenco guitarist, osteopath, and educator. Trained in both classical and flamenco guitar, he has studied extensively in Spain and has been active in the Canadian flamenco community for over a decade, performing as a soloist and accompanying dancers and singers. His artistic work focuses on the tradition of flamenco while exploring the expressive possibilities of its lesser-known forms, particularly the fandango and its derivatives.