About the Victor Kolstee Award
The Victor Kolstee Award was created to honour the memory of our beloved Musical Director, Victor Kolstee. Throughout his life, Kolstee spread his love and passion for flamenco. He was a key player in developing Canada’s appreciation for flamenco dance and music.
Flamenco Rosario wants to ensure the ongoing encouragement of flamenco musicians in Canada and has created a biennial award for Canadian flamenco musicians to pursue their professional development.
Victor Kolstee
The Victor Kolstee Award was established in 2023 to encourage aspiring flamenco guitarists to refine their musical skills, technical capacity, and interpretive range. The award will recognize an emerging artist in the field of flamenco performance and provide financial support for them to explore new and emergent techniques, broaden the improvisational range, and elevate their general artistic mastery.
Victor Kolstee
Meet the 2026 Winner: Philippe Jean
Philippe Jean, photographed by Hervé Leblay
Philippe Jean is a Montreal-based flamenco guitarist whose work is rooted in dialogue, listening, and community. For over two decades, he has dedicated himself to the art of accompaniment, cultivating meaningful artistic relationships with singers, dancers, and guitarists within Canada’s flamenco scene.
As the winner of the 2026 Victor Kolstee Award, Philippe, sees this recognition as an important step in his artistic journey. He intends to first nurture collaborative work within Canada’s flamenco community, and then pursue advanced study in Spain — bringing back new insight, knowledge, and inspiration to further strengthen and enrich the local flamenco landscape.
"Philippe, your project caught our attention for its originality and relevance, particularly when considering how interest in palos libres is less common abroad.”—Judges Caroline Planté and Marcos Marin