SOLEA: the mother of all flamenco palos
When I teach the flamenco 12 count to a group of new beginners, I usually start in Solea because it’s slow enough for them to grasp the concept of the compás. But then I move them...
Stuff I Always Tell My Flamenco Dancers
I have been dancing flamenco for over 25 years now and I’ve compiled a list of the not-so-secret advice I give to my dancers so they can dance flamenco with expression and confidence. Here they...
How to Pick a Bata de Cola
The bata de cola is such an amazing piece of costuming in flamenco. However, it’s not something you put on and prance around in. It takes lots of dedication, practice and good technique to dance...
Bulerías…. the Holy Grail of Flamenco
I can’t tell you *how* many times I hear students lamenting how they want to be able to go out and do a little pataíta por Bulerías (“patada”- which means a little dance, a little something.) But...
All About Siguirilla ( or is it Seguiriya?)
Siguirillas (also spelled Seguirillas, Seguiriya, Seguidilla- take your pick!) is an intense palo, considered cante jondo (deep song.) It’s similar to Solea in that it is profound and extremely soulful, however, it tends to be more...
When you just don’t feel like practicing….
We all know that dancing flamenco takes consistency, dedication and lots and lots of practice if you truly want to reach a higher level of expertise. Before I had kids I had time to go...
The Dancer’s Guide to the Structure of Flamenco
When the general public watches Flamenco, they see a dancer just stomping away on stage with an impassioned look on her face. Little do they know that there is a structure to the dance, a...
Palos of Flamenco: Guajiras
Guajiras is a palo of flamenco that’s super feminine, languid, and humid. The music originated in Cuba and was brought to Spain and became “flamencofied.” These kinds of palos are called “de ida y vuelta”...
Quiz: How Flamenco Are YOU?
Do you wonder whether it’s more important to pay the utility bill or buy flamenco shoes? Have you ever wanted to cry while listening to a Siguirilla? Have you ever danced a Bulería while brushing your...
The Never Ending Flamenco Journey
We all wish we were gifted with starting flamenco in the womb, being born into a flamenco family with the art in our blood. But for most of us, that is just not the case....
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