Level 1 – Entry Level Absolute Beginner

• I have never danced flamenco or ballet 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.

Level 2 – Beginner Level or Beginner Plus

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.

Flamenco

• 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.

Ballet: I know terminology such as fondu, rond de jambe, jeté, port de bras, en dehors, pas de beurre and some centre exercises such as adage, valse, small jumps. 


• You have taken ballet around once a week for three years or similar, or you are familiar with the following:

• barre exercises: plie, tendu, jete, rond de jambe, fondu, frappe, adage, grand battement

• You understand or have started woking with the concepts of Epaulement: efface, croisse, ecarte, en face

• in the centre you have done or understand the following: pirouette en dehors and en dedans, jumps such as échappe, glissade, jete, assemble, sissone, temps level

Level 3 – Intermediate Flamenco

I have taken dance once or twice a week for over 6 years or equivalent.

Flamenco: 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 or are interested in starting to learn elements such as bata de cola and the shawl.

I know how to dance sevillanas.

Ballet: I am familiar with various centre exercises, I know the terminology and structure of a ballet barre.

Open Level Flamenco

Our open level flamenco dance courses 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, codigos flamencos.
•  Technique Classes: marcajes, turns or footwork.
•  Flamenco elements such as the fan, shawl, bata de cola, or castanets.
• Choreography classes using flamenco elements

Open Level Ballet

Open Level can mean different things depending on the school and on the dance style. In our school “Open Level” means “not too basic not too advanced” , which is anywhere starting at 2-3 years and up, while “Multilevel” means “all levels, including entry level”.

Open Level also mens that consideration will be given to the variety of ability and skill level of the dancers present in the class. Should there be a considerable gap in the skill level, modifications will be suggested to make movements and combinations either easier or more challenging for each student. Demonstrations and terminology will be explained where needed, so that all students can work to the best of their abilities.

Multilevel Flamenco

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 drills and 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 class 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 practise at any level.
• Upper Body Technique Classes: arm-hand coordination, expression

Level 4 – Advanced Flamenco Level

• 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.