Meet your teacher

Irene Gabarron del Toro

I am a professional flutist and teacher with many years of experience working with students of different ages, levels and musical backgrounds.

For me, learning music should combine solid technical work with curiosity, creativity and enjoyment. I like to create a relaxed and supportive environment where students can develop at their own pace, discover their own musical voice and gradually become more confident and independent players.

My teaching brings together the precision and detail of classical training with the freedom, rhythm and creativity I have discovered through flamenco, folk and popular music.

My approach to teaching

Every student learns differently.

That is why I adapt the lessons to each person's level, goals, interests and way of learning. Alongside technique, sound and musical understanding, I encourage students to become increasingly independent and to develop their own ideas and interpretation.

Above all, I want lessons to be a place where students feel comfortable experimenting, asking questions and enjoying the process of making music.

Photos by Harry Sikkenk

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2025- Present
Flute School Rotterdam
Flute teacher
2022 - 2025
Muziekschool Centrum Rotterdam / MOC Spijkenisse Centrum / Leerorkest Dordrecht
Flute teacher
2021-2022
Conservatorio Profesional "Angel Barrios" (Granada, Spain)
Flute and Chamber Music Teacher
2019-2021
Real Conservatorio Profesional de Música y Danza (Albacete, Spain)
Flute and Chamber Music Teacher
2018-2021
CODARTS, University for the Arts (Rotterdam)
Flute technique teacher in Jazz Department
2013-2020
ERASMUSICA, Muziekles in ERASMUS MC (Rotterdam)
Flute teacher
2003-2009
Various music schools and private teaching
Spain & The Netherlands

AS A PERFORMER

EDUCATION & CLASSICAL BACKGROUND

I was born in Murcia, in the south of Spain, and started playing the flute at the age of eight at the music school in my village.

After completing my musical studies in Spain with José Fernández Vera, Ana María Alcaraz and Juan Francisco Cayuelas Grao, I moved to the Netherlands to continue developing as a musician.

In Rotterdam I studied with Vincent Cortvrint, Jo Hagen, Herman van Kogelenberg and Juliette Hurel, completing both a Bachelor and Master of Music in Flute and Piccolo at CODARTS University for the Arts.

I have also participated in masterclasses with musicians including Emily Beynon, Samuel Coles, William Bennett, Vincent Prats, Joaquín Gericó and Julia Gallego.

ORCHESTRAL & CHAMBER MUSIC EXPERIENCE

As a performer, I have worked as principal flute with Camerata Rotterdam and collaborated with ensembles and orchestras including the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Laurens Bach Orkest and Rotterdam Ensemble.

In Spain, I have been a member of the Orquesta de Jumilla and have collaborated regularly with the Orquestra Simfònica Ciutat d'Elx.

Chamber music has also been an important part of my musical life. I have performed with groups including Scherzando Trio, flute quartet Sons Files, wind quintet Aurum, and currently the flute duo Flautas Mágicas with Mariano Bas.

My chamber music work has received first and third prizes at the National Chamber Music Competition “Francisco Salzillo”.

FLAMENCO, FOLK & OTHER MUSICAL PROJECTS

Alongside my classical background, flamenco has become an important influence on my musical development.

I have attended masterclasses with artists including Arcángel, Dorantes, Miguel Ángel Cortés, Diego Amador, Diego del Morao, Diego Carrasco and musicologist Faustino Núñez, among others.

Over the years I have taken part in projects including:

Pianeando por Levante, with flamenco pianist Abdón Alcaraz
Flamencogroep Siroco, with Kambiz Afshari
Molinos y Gigantes, with Haymah
Picassianas, with flamenco dancer Javier Latorre

I continue to explore flamenco, folk and other musical traditions through projects including Haymah, Matthieu Acosta Trio and Bridge Ensemble, as well as collaborations in both the Netherlands and Spain.