Bring the sights and sounds of Spain to your school! Flamenco is an exciting and energetic art form from southern Spain that embodies rich cultural influences of the Andalusian, Gypsy, Islamic and Sephardic cultures that have lived there through history. The dancer’s rhythmic footwork, graceful arm and hand movements, and hand clapping are accompanied by the powerful strumming and soulful chords of the guitar to express a wide variety of styles, or palos, from the most serious cante jondo, to the light-hearted cante chico.
Leading dancer Deborah Elias and master guitarist Michael Hauser are favorite performers who have been teaming up to bring flamenco to schools for over ten years. Deborah Elias is a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s juried Arts in Education Roster of Artists, and has taught at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, and the University of Minnesota. She performs and choreographs with her own artistic endeavor, Deborah Elias Danza Española, as well as with guitarist Michael Hauser and Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. Michael Hauser is an esteemed teacher with many students and is on the music faculty at Macalester College. He is one of the founders of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and served as musical director and first guitarist for several years.
Bailamos! Let's Dance!
Type: Workshop
Grades: K-12
Fee: See Prices and Policies
Note: Session can be led by dancer or dancer with live guitarist
Explore Spanish culture through Flamenco dance. Learn rhythms through dance and palmas (hand clapping) using Spanish dance vocabulary. Delve more deeply into Spanish culture by learning verses from the poems of Federico Garcia Lorca, and how music and dance help express poetry. Explore the relationship between dancing and singing, and experiment with improvisation in a fun environment. Schedule Request
Grades: K-12
Single: $375
Two Consecutive: $525
Materials Fee: $25 for artists to bring wood floor. Only required if school cannot provide a performance area with wood flooring.
In this exciting and energetic program students experience the beauty of flamenco dance and guitar, participate in clapping flamenco rhythms, and even dance. At the same time they learn the history, culture, Spanish language, and musical elements of flamenco. ¡Olé! Schedule Request
A special program only available only one week, December 6-10, 2010!
Type: Performance
Grades: K-12
Single: $525
Two Consecutive: $875
Materials Fee: $25 for artists to bring wood floor. Only required if school cannot provide a performance area with wood flooring.
In this interactive program students experience the excitement and beauty of authentic flamenco with all three of its elements - dance, guitar, and song! Special guest singer Barbara Martinez visits from New York City to share the powerful flamenco singing that is the foundation of the flamenco art form – singing so difficult and unique it is rarely heard in the Midwest! With leading dancer Deborah Elias and master guitarist Michael Hauser, this is an exceptional opportunity to experience flamenco in its full glory.
