Flamenco

Flamenco is a passionate, expressive art form from Spain’s Andalusian region, known for intricate footwork, emotional intensity, and rhythmic complexity. Rooted in the traditions of Andalusia and the Roma (Romani) community with influences from Moorish and Sephardic Jewish cultures, flamenco weaves dance (baile), song (cante), guitar (toque), and handclaps (palmas) into a powerful dialogue.

Dancers (bailaor/bailaora) use the whole body precise zapateado (footwork), spiraling turns, expressive arms and hands (braceo) to convey love, longing, joy, and sorrow. Performances often feature live guitar, singing, palmas, and percussive accents. Costuming typically includes ruffled dresses or practice skirts for women and fitted trousers and vests for men. While highly structured through compás (rhythmic cycles) and palos (song forms), flamenco leaves space for guided improvisation, letting artists respond to the music and to one another in real time.

Flamenco — Level 1 Beginner (Age 5-9)

Flamenco — Level 1 Beginner (Age 5-9)
Friendly introduction to zapateado (footwork), posture and braceo (arms), compás and palmas—with simple, age-appropriate choreography and lots of musicality.

What we focus on
  • Building a strong foundation in footwork, posture, and arm carriage
  • Developing coordination, musicality, and expressive confidence
  • Introducing core flamenco vocabulary within a supportive environment
How it works
  • Led by experienced instructors grounded in flamenco tradition and culture
  • Guided combinations with context on styles and rhythms
  • Clear demos, age-/level-appropriate pacing, and positive feedback
You’ll learn
  • Foundational footwork (zapateado), posture, and alignment
  • Arm and hand pathways (braceo) and simple turns
  • Rhythm basics (compás) and handclapping patterns (palmas)
  • Short, beginner-level choreography
Recommendations
  • Able to focus for a one-hour class
  • Attend one flamenco class per week consistently
Flamenco — Levels 2–3 Intermediate (Ages 9 and up)
Flamenco — Levels 2–3 (Intermediate)
Deepen technique with clear accents, turns/travel, steady compás, llamadas/cierres and escobillas; explore palos like soleá, bulerías, tangos, alegrías and build confident stage presence.

What we focus on
  • Deeper technique: intricate zapateado, clean accents/syncopation, turns and traveling steps
  • Coordinated upper body: braceo, posture, expressive gesture
  • Musicality & structure: steady compás, phrasing, llamadas/cierres, escobillas
  • Palos (styles): forms such as soleá, bulerías, tangos, alegrías (as appropriate)
  • Performance skills: projection, stage presence, and personal style
How it works
  • Led by seasoned instructors grounded in flamenco tradition and performance
  • Guided combinations and structured improvisation within compás
  • Brief cultural/historical context to connect movement, music, and meaning
  • Clear demos, level-appropriate pacing, and supportive corrections
You’ll learn
  • Complex footwork patterns with clear accents and timing
  • Upper-body pathways and expressive carriage (braceo)
  • Keeping time and phrasing within common rhythmic cycles
  • Short to medium choreography with transitions and endings
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should demonstrate solid Level 1–2 vocabulary, reliable compás, clean accents, and readiness to retain longer phrases at increased tempos.
Requirements
  • 2–3+ years of prior flamenco training (or faculty placement)
  • Currently enrolled in at least 2 hours of flamenco per week
  • Uniform per Academy policy; regular attendance expecte
Flamenco — Levels 4–5 Upper Intermediate / Advanced (Ages 12 and up)
Flamenco — Levels 4–5 (Upper Intermediate / Advanced)
Performance-paced training: advanced zapateado (redobles, contratiempo), longer escobillas, precise remates/desplantes, phrasing and aire; responsive to cante/guitar cues with polished ensemble craft.

What we focus on
  • Advanced zapateado: clean accents, redobles, contratiempo; longer escobillas
  • Precise endings and calls: remates, desplantes, llamadas/cierres
  • Musicality & structure: steady compás at performance tempos (12-count & 4-count forms), tempo changes (silencio/subida), phrasing and aire
  • Coordinated upper body: refined braceo, posture, expressive gesture
  • Ensemble craft: cuadro awareness, palmas (sordas/fuertes), jaleos, entrances/exits, onstage communication
How it works
  • Led by faculty with performance focus; clear demonstrations and targeted corrections
  • Technique, across-the-floor, and longer choreography sections each class
  • Guided improvisation within structure to develop intention and projection
  • Regional stylizations (e.g., soleá por bulería, bulerías, alegrías, tangos/tientos) as appropriate to the group
You’ll learn
  • Endurance for extended footwork passages with clean accents
  • Faster directional changes, controlled turns, and traveling patterns
  • Building full letras/sections and finishing with confident remates
  • Responsive listening to cante/guitar cues (live or recorded)
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should show reliable compás at faster tempos, clear accents, stamina for extended passages, quick retention of longer phrases, and readiness to respond to musical cues.
Requirements
  • 3–4+ years of prior flamenco training (or faculty placement)
  • Currently enrolled in at least 4 hours of flamenco per week
  • Uniform per Academy policy; regular attendance expected
  • Academy Director’s approval