OUR PHILOSOPHY ON TEACHING FLAMENCO DANCE
We do not teach dance - we teach Flamenco. Part of Flamenco is dance. The most important thing in Flamenco (according to Maestro "El Farru" of the Los Farruco dynasty) is that "it first must be fun." And in the words of our wise 6-year old student Isabel A, "if it's not fun you shouldn't be doing it." Following fun, the next most important thing in Flamenco is compás (rhythm) - without compás there is no Flamenco. Then comes technique - proper techniques that will enable the student to be able to easily study anywhere in the world and with any instructor, and to dance Flamenco for many years safely, without injury and as an educated dancer. Underlying it all, there must be knowledge - knowledge of the history and origins of the art form itself.
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We are specialists.
Our primary focus is teaching Flamenco foundation
(compás (rhythms), technique and improvisation.)
FOUNDATIONS OF FLAMENCO DANCE
Dance steps are secondary. Choreographies are only teaching tools - or, at best, allow the student to only dance in theatrical presentations. The serious student of Flamenco must learn basic techniques that will allow them to understand and utilize the material they have learned to be able to actually dance Flamenco. Whether a student wishes to dance Flamenco just for fun or personal enjoyment, or to pursue a professional path (either improvisational or theatrical), a strong foundation is absolutely critical.
We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of students of Flamenco dance that come to us without proper foundation - actually, without any foundation at all. They have lots of steps and lots of choreographies but do not understand what compás they are dancing or how to use steps they have learned in a compás. This is like going to school for 2 years and coming out not knowing your ABC's. We believe this is the responsibility of the teacher - to guide the student correctly from the beginning. Education must start at the elementary school level and progress through high school - students starting in high school, skipping elementary school, will struggle at best, but often will fail to succeed.
The Flamenco Foundations Workshop
We also offer periodic workshops that provide students with the basics of proper posture, proper body movement, proper hand and arm movement, proper footwork and a basic understanding of rhythms specific to Flamenco dance. Without this foundation, students can become frustrated and will struggle to succeed in Flamenco dance and may even risk injury.
Choreographies, Footwork and Compás
We have created basic, easy-to-understand choreographies that teach the student not only steps, but how those steps fit into the compás. We have developed a pattern of footwork exercises specific to each compás that will allow the student to further understand the structure of the compás and how footwork can be adapted for each compás.
Improvisation
Each lesson includes improvisation. The student will learn how to deconstruct their choreographies and footwork patterns and easily adapt the parts to fit whatever compás they will be dancing.
We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of students of Flamenco dance that come to us without proper foundation - actually, without any foundation at all. They have lots of steps and lots of choreographies but do not understand what compás they are dancing or how to use steps they have learned in a compás. This is like going to school for 2 years and coming out not knowing your ABC's. We believe this is the responsibility of the teacher - to guide the student correctly from the beginning. Education must start at the elementary school level and progress through high school - students starting in high school, skipping elementary school, will struggle at best, but often will fail to succeed.
The Flamenco Foundations Workshop
We also offer periodic workshops that provide students with the basics of proper posture, proper body movement, proper hand and arm movement, proper footwork and a basic understanding of rhythms specific to Flamenco dance. Without this foundation, students can become frustrated and will struggle to succeed in Flamenco dance and may even risk injury.
Choreographies, Footwork and Compás
We have created basic, easy-to-understand choreographies that teach the student not only steps, but how those steps fit into the compás. We have developed a pattern of footwork exercises specific to each compás that will allow the student to further understand the structure of the compás and how footwork can be adapted for each compás.
Improvisation
Each lesson includes improvisation. The student will learn how to deconstruct their choreographies and footwork patterns and easily adapt the parts to fit whatever compás they will be dancing.
FAMILY-STYLE FLAMENCO
Just as people would learn Flamenco in Spain, in their own family, most of our classes are held family-style. This means that there are students of every age in one class. An unusual concept for typical American dance class structure, the concept of family-style works remarkably well for Flamenco. The children are actually on their best behavior (😊) and the adults find they have become role models! A serious and fun class all in one! If you are not sure how you would like this concept, please feel free to stop by and visit one of our family-style classes to see if this concept would work for you!
We have had father/daughters, mother/daughters, grandmother/granddaughter, brother/sister, etc etc. All learning the same thing, but differently!
We have had father/daughters, mother/daughters, grandmother/granddaughter, brother/sister, etc etc. All learning the same thing, but differently!
LIVE GUITAR ACCOMPANIMENT
All our classes have live guitar accompaniment. It may be by master guitarist Ricardo de Cristóbal, alone or with one of his students, or even several of his students, A great experience for all!!
ZOOM LESSONS
A great way to get private instruction for as little as $15! Maybe you want to have your technique quickly assessed, or maybe you want to take an intensive hour with the instructor. Either way we now have options that can fit most every budget. We accept Venmo for Zoom lessons
A great way to get private instruction for as little as $15! Maybe you want to have your technique quickly assessed, or maybe you want to take an intensive hour with the instructor. Either way we now have options that can fit most every budget. We accept Venmo for Zoom lessons
PAYMENT
In Person Lessons: We accept cash, check or Venmo. Payment is expected at the first class date of the month when you arrive for your class. Payments received after that time will be subject to a late fee. If you wish to reserve a specific date and time on a regular basis for private lessons, you will need to purchase a block of 4 lessons in advance. Lesson Fees are non-refundable, but you can make up any missed class by the following month at any of our studio locations.
FLAMENCO DANCE PRIVATE LESSON CANCELLATION POLICY
If a private lesson student needs to cancel a scheduled lesson the student will be charged for the lesson unless the instructor is able to fill that spot. In the event the instructor cannot fill the spot and the student is charged, the student will be allowed to makeup the lesson when another spot becomes available. Please ask about the complete cancellation policy when arranging your private lesson.