Gretchen Williams “Checha” is a former soloist dancer with Yjastros the American Flamenco Repertory Company. She left Albuquerque to complete her doctorate in early modern Spanish history which she received in 2022 under the direction of acclaimed Romani linguist Dr. Ian Hancock. Her dissertation focuses on issues of identity and race among the Romani blacksmiths of the city of Sevilla and neighboring Triana. Dr. Williams is a Fulbright scholar and focused her research in the city and parish archives of Sevilla and Triana. She currently teaches high school history at Tierra Adentro in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as flamenco history at Festival Flamenco Internacional held annually in Albuquerque. She guest lectures at various festivals and institutions including Texas Tech University. She performs as a singer and dancer at various tablaos across the U.S. such as La Pinta in Phoenix and La Rosa in Tucson, with Compañía Mina Fajardo y Chuscales, with Emi Arte Flamenco, and Tablao Caló Flamenco in Atlanta, Georgia. She recently performed in the world premiere of Adam del Monte’s new flamenco opera Llantos 1492. Checha performs weekly at Tablao Flamenco in Albuquerque and Unit B in Santa Fe.