Flamenco Group Class locations (click on the dancers for venues & times!)

Tutors

Sandra La Espuelita has given flamenco classes in London at all levels for more than 10 years. She has developed a reputation as an approachable, dynamic and truly inspirational teacher, leading her to be chosen by BBC TV as Flamenco Tutor for their famous "Strictly Come Dancing" series. She brings a world of experience from her many years of training with top flamenco teachers such as Mario Maya and Carmen de Torres, and from her performances across the UK, Spain and worldwide. She founded flamenco companies Flamenco Pasión and Sonido Flamenco in 2001.

Verena Menichelli studied ballet for 15 years before discovering flamenco in her native Brazil. She was selected for masterclasses with Sara Baras, and began teaching flamenco in 1997. She directed two dance companies in the prestigious Festidança de São Paulo, where her choreographies won first prize from 2000-2002. Verena moved to Madrid to continue her studies with Eva la Yerbabuena, while performing at the world-famous tablão Las Tablas. She relocated to the UK in 2008 in order to join Flamenco Pasión.

Technique

Unlike many flamenco classes where the steps are just taught rote fashion, here you will be helped to understand the history, background and - most importantly - the key rhythms (compás) of each dance form. The compás is the pulsing heart of each flamenco style and a true appreciation enables students and professionals from across the world to work together.

You will learn to use confident palmas (the hand-clapping accompaniment), learn how to use castanets and fans, and develop an understanding of how flamenco choreography and performances are put together.

Yet an other advantage of flamenco lessons: you do not need a partner to learn or perform flamenco! Apart from the sevillanas (and there are always many willing partners at class for this popular fiesta dance) authentic flamenco dance is an individual expressing his or her own personality to the music.

Spanish flamenco dancing has an emotional intensity that enables you to truly express yourself. Happy or sad, frustrated or elated, the emotions of your day at work can be worked out and dealt with through the medium of passion through dance.

Dress

Wear what feels comfortable for the flamenco classes. For beginners even trousers for the ladies will be fine if they are easy to move in and are not too long (useful for hiding mistakes, but easy to trip over...). Ideally ladies should wear a wide (circular) skirt once you have mastered the basics as the feel and movement of the skirt is all part of flamenco, and really helps you look and feel the part. When you are ready for your first real flamenco skirt Sandra can make you one to measure in the style and colour you prefer. Men should wear what feels good and comfortable, but nothing so tight that movement is restricted

Whatever clothes you opt to wear, strong shoes or boots with closed toes and a small "cuban" heel are a must to protect and support your feet and also to be able to make the correct shapes and sounds! Proper flamenco shoes have small nails in the toes and heels to help with the sounds and are balanced in such a way that correct technique and posture become easier to achieve. Flat shoes and trainers are not suitable for flamenco lessons.

Eventually you will really feel the benefit of buying specialist flamenco shoes or boots, but there is no absolute requirement to pay out for these up front. When you are ready to buy your first pair, speak to Sandra or visit our links page to get proper advice on what to get. Top-of-the-range professional shoes can make a hole in your wallet, and beware cheap plastic versions, but there is a lot of choice between these extremes.

Fitness

Flamenco dance is fun, passionate and exciting, and it also is an excellent way to get fit without having to pay a fortune for healthclub memberships or spend hours on a treadmill.

Taught correctly, you will quickly see the benefits of how the discipline of flamenco dancing strengthens core muscle groups, as well as improving posture and general fitness through aerobic exercise - all at a level that gradually and naturally increases as you enhance your own skills. Flamenco dance adds both strength and flexibility and you are able to start at your own level and improve at your own pace. Students of all ages and sizes are very welcome and find that flamenco dance has something for them all.

The strength of the weight-bearing exercise is also ideal for maintaining bone density and helping you avoid future problems such as osteoporosis.

Worried at the prospect of "bingo-wings"? Look no further...flamenco arm exercises will tone and shape, while at the same time adding elegance and line. Your disco-dancing techniques will never be the same again!

Fees

Each class that we teach is an open class, so you can attend at any point. Our Flamenco Classes also operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. There is no registration fee.

Current fees (2010) are as follows:

Group Flamenco Classes:

£10 per class.

Private Flamenco Classes:

For one student, charges are £30 for one hour, £40 for one hour and a half, £50 for two hours.

For two students attending together, total charges are £40 for one hour or £60 for one hour and a half.

Private Flamenco Classes

One-to-one tuition can have major advantages on both sides, and can even be cost-effective, in that students generally achieve far more in a much shorter time-frame than in group classes.

Private flamenco classes can also be an effective supplement to group classes, and can work wonders in helping you master intial techniques and steps.

Sandra has a purpose-built studio space with a proper wooden, sprung floor and Harlequin dance flooring overlaid. It is air-conditioned/heated, and located on the Central line in N. London/Essex. She teaches students of all levels from three left feet to professional, and can accommodate two students at a time in the space- so you would be very welcome to bring a friend if you wished.

Private flamenco lessons are always initially more expensive than group ones, but the rate of progress is very much quicker and - unless you are super-keen - it is not necessary to have a flamenco class every week. In fact, it is probably better for you if you go away and practice what you have learned in the session so that we can move forward in the next class. Many students come only once every two or three weeks, and in this way costs even out very quickly and the sessions can flexibly fit in with your own schedule!

Please contact Sandra for full details and location.