FLAMENCO CLASS LEVELS

Entry Level – Flamenco Basics / Absolute Beginner

I have never danced flamenco before.

• I want to refresh the basics after a long absence from dance.
• I took under 6 months of classes.
• I took flamenco a long time ago and need a refresher.
• I know the basics, but I like attending a lower level so I can review and improve my technique.

Levels 1 & 2 – Progressive Levels: Beginner

• I have attended classes once a week for about 1-2 years or longer or used to dance in the past and want to get back into it.
• I continue familiarizing myself with arm movements, the break-down of rhythms (compás) and coordination, and some terminology, such as a marcaje or llamada.
• I know the basic footwork technique (planta, tacón, and golpe) and the basic arm movements. I continue to work on developing my footwork and overall skills.
• I am familiar with tangos flamencos or rumbas. I have learned short choreographic sequences.
• I look forward to learning more and to learning sevillanas.

Level 3 – Intermediate Flamenco

• I have taken dance once a week for 5+  years or equivalent.
• I love flamenco and understand how much there is to it!
• I can coordinate arms, hands, feet, and head simultaneously in easy steps.
• I can execute a footwork (zapateado) sequence (alegrías or tangos).
• I can follow the rhythm of the beat set in class without feeling like I am out of rhythm.
• I have started or am interested in learning elements such as bata de cola and the shawl.
• I know how to dance sevillanas.

Open Level Flamenco

Our open-level flamenco dance classes are designed for beginner and intermediate level students wishing to improve their skills or take an additional class to work on specific elements of flamenco that require extra dedication. However, they can also be taken as a stand-alone class.

In these classes, footwork and rhythms, which are the greatest level dividers in flamenco, are not the focus and will remain simple so that students can focus on other areas. Examples of Open Level Courses are:

• Upper Body Technique Classes: arm-hand coordination, expression, marcajes, sequencing.
• Compás Classes: clapping, understanding rhythm, códigos flamencos.
• Focus Workshops: marcajes, turns, or footwork.
• Flamenco elements such as the fan, shawl, bata de cola, or castanets.
• Choreography classes using flamenco elements.

Multilevel

Much like an open-level class, these classes are designed as additional classes and cover all levels. Footwork, turns, and choreographic sequences are kept to a minimum. These classes generally include lots of repetition to develop muscle memory. Students of higher levels can focus on details, such as expression, aesthetics, and nuances of the movement, while lower-level students will work on a much broader concept of the steps and movement.

If you are new to flamenco, it is recommended you also take an entry-level course in addition to a multilevel class. Examples of multilevel classes are:

• Flamenco Essence: expression, intention of the movement, understanding the essence of flamenco.
• Compás Classes: clapping, understanding rhythm, always good to practice at any level.
• Upper Body Technique Classes: arm-hand coordination, expression.
• Flamenco Flow: simple patterns, lots of repetition and attention to detail, new variations each week

Level 4 – Advanced 

• I can coordinate feet, hands, arms, and skirt fluently in easy steps.
• I can pay attention to the aesthetics of movement and interpretation.
• I have some performance experience and have learned choreographies in various palos over the years.
• I understand compás and the structure of flamenco choreography.
• I have studied with other teachers or taken workshops in Spain.
• I have some improvisational skills and can adjust choreographies to my liking.
• I can use various “elementos”, such as the fan, shawl, bata de cola, or castanets.