Belén Cabanes Mª Belen Cabanes Altés, born in Vilanova i La Geltrú (Barcelona), began her professional training with Rosa García and Enrique Burgos, obtaining the certificate of Spanish dancer from the »Professional dance conservatory of Madrid« studied the »Castanet Method« of Emma Maleras.
Moves to Madrid joining the »Ballet Teatro Español of Rafael Aguilar«, performing as soloist in the work »Rango« (version of »La Casa de Bernarda Alba« written by Federico García Lorca). She begins touring the world in this Company. In 1996 she joins »Gioccarpa« (a duo of harp players from the Opera Sinfónica de Euskadi) as a concert castanet player and dancer. In 1997, she collaborates in the recording of the CD »Tanganera«, composed by the guitarist Víctor Valls, percusionist (feet and castanets). The same year, she created the group »Flamenco Camerata« with the guitarist Andreas María Germek and the singer José Parrondo, performing all over Europe. In1997 she won first prize in the »VI Certamen de coreografía de Danza Española y Flamenco« (6th Spanish Danced and Flamenco Choreography Contest) (Madrid) with a choreography by Carmen Luque. In 1999 she is one of the finalists in the 8th edition of the same contest »De Ausencia«, choreography by Juan Carlos Lérida (dance company »2D1«) and original music by Andreas María Germek. Since 1999 she performs in the spectacle »Castañuelas Hoy«, by the reknowned concert musician José de Udaeta with the pianist Marina Rodrigez Brià, the debut taking place in the »Music Festival of Ludwigsburg Castle« (Germany), and performing in operas and concert halls such as the »Berlin Staatsoper« and the »Teatre Nacional de Catalunya«. This spectacle was recorded by Televisió de Catalunya, produced by Toni Margalló. In the »IX Certamen de Coreografía de Danza Española y Flamenco« (9th Spanish Dance and Flamenco Choreography Contest) (Madrid, 2000), she wins 2nd prize with the choreography »Costumbre« by Juan Carlos Lérida and the »Premio a la bailarina Sobresaliente« (Prize for the most outstanding dancer). Guest artist in the production of the work Lorca (Catarina Mora Produccions,Stuttgart) in the Dusseldorf Flamenco Festival (April 2002). She creates the spectacle “Castañuela Contemporánea” (Contemporary Castanet) with the guitarist Andreas María Germek. She presents a book dedicated to Emma Maleras Les castanyoles: la grandesa d'un instrument petit, organised by the Institut del Teatre, Diputació de Barcelona. Teacher in the Dance Conservatory of the Institut del Teatre of Barcelona (from February 2003). In 2004, she creates, with the pianist Marina Rodríguez and the chellist Ana Mora, the trio “Ànima Nua” (classical castanet music) With the spectacle "El Secreto de la castañuela” (The Secret of the Castanet) she won the “Premio de la crítica” (Critic's award) in the Festival de Jerez, 2004.