Robert (BertoFlamenco) Boyd, is Santa Barbara’s own premiere Flamenco guitarist/composer. He is one of the rare and few Americans who has dedicated his musical dreams and professional career to the art of Flamenco and is recognized as one of the top composers of Flamenco music in the United States. Born into a family of artists, which includes famed lead singer Brandon Boyd of the multi-platinum band Incubus, Berto began his musical training at age five and has been studying guitar for 22 years. A rigorous musician and careful researcher, Berto has studied in Spain and the U.S with some of the world’s finest virtuosos. His maestros include:

Gerardo Nuñez  www.gerardonunez.com/

José Luis Rodriguez www.myspace.com/demismanos

Adam Delmonte www.adamdelmonte.com/

Among other teachers are: Guillermo Rios (former guitarist for the infamous Flamenco company of Jose Greco), and Jesus Montoya (Madrid). In the United States, Berto has attended and participated in master classes with Pepe Romero www.peperomero.com/, Manuel Barrueco barrueco.com/, Paco Jarana (musical director for Eva La Yerbabuena), Gaspar Rodriguez (musical director for the National Ballet of Spain), and Rafael Montilla (guitarist with the company of Paco Peña www.pacopena.com/). He has also studied Music Theory and Analysis with Dr. Burns Taft, Composition with Miguel de Aguila and Robert Lawson, Classical guitar with Matthew Grief (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet www.lagq.com/), Brazilian Jazz with Chris Judge (Gille Apap & the Transylvanian Mountain Boys), Jazz guitar with John Payne, Classical Guitar with Dmitri Diatchenko, James Edwards, and Carlos Gonzales.

He is a sought out performer for many concerts, festivals, private parties, and private house concerts throughout California and the U.S.. Berto’s music has been featured for over a decade in many of Santa Barbara’s finest venues such as: Bacara Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Biltmore, San Ysidro Ranch, S.B. Historical Society, Presidio Chapel, Unitarian Church, Montecito Country Club, Soho Music Club, Fiesta’s Old Spanish Days, S.B. Courthouse & Sunken Gardens, and many private estates in Montecito.

He is the founder/musical director of "Arte y Pasion Flamenco Music and Dance Company" and "BertoFlamenco y Ritmo Gitano" Gypsy Rhythm Band which both consist of a dynamic four - ten piece ensemble.

In 2006, he was invited to share the stage and musical direction for the production "Calle Flamenca" with Spanish maestro Jose Luis Rodriguez and Bailes Ferrer www.bailesferrer.com/index.html in the annual festival "Flamenco in the Sun" in Miami www.flamencointhesun.com/. In October of 2006, he was the musical director/guitarist for Carmen de Torres www.flamenco-carmendetorres.com/index.htm direct from Sevilla in a concert at UCSB and at the S.B. Festival of Art. Also in 2006, he premiered the productions "Flamenco en Concierto", and Tarde Flamenca" at both the Unitarian Society in Santa Barbara and the infamous "Fountain Theater" in Hollywood. In 2008, Robert was invited by PCPA Theaterfest to be the featured artist for “An Evening of Guitar” www.pcpa.org/guitar.html at the Marian Theater with his ensemble “BertoFlamenco y Ritmo Gitano”. In 2004, he premiered the two productions "Alma Flamenca" and "Berto y Flamenco Vivo" at the Center Stage Theater and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. He has also accompanied for Linda Vega's company "Danzas de España" for many years. In 2003, he was invited as the featured soloist of the 7th annual world concert series in Mendocino, Ca. His performances have received rave reviews.