The recipient of much acclaim, Catalan flamenco singer Miguel Poveda made a point early on in his career, despite his relative youth, to honor the style's grand musical traditions. Born Miguel Ángel Poveda León in Barcelona on February 13, 1973, Poveda began singing publicly in 1988, accompanying his sister, flamenco dancer Sonia Poveda. He established himself as a rising star within the flamenco community after winning four prizes at the 1993 Festival Nacional del Cante de las Minas in La Unión, including the highest honor, La Lámpara Minera, as well as La Cartagenera, La Malagueña, and La Soleá. ~ Jason Birchmeier