|
Flamenco Spanish dance sessions were held by Maria Del Sol
and Rosanna Maya, Malta, Spain, organised by Mansoor Ahmed,
director and choreographer of Let's Dance, a centre for dance
and performing arts, Chennai, E V K Sampath Road, Vepery,
Chennai - 7, from August 5 to 8, 2007.
Maria Del Sol
Maria del Sol was born and bred on the small Mediterranean
island of Malta. She began her Flamenco dance studies 12 years
ago with Rosana Maya and has successfully completed an intensive
study of Alianza Flamenco, obtaining her teacher's certificate
in 2005. She is currently fully employed with Alegria Academia
as dancer, administrator and teacher and is presently conducting
courses and lecture demonstrations in Flamenco dance throughout
India. She also forms part of the Alegria Dance Company and has
trained in other dance forms, namely Argentine Tango, Salsa and
Belly Dance.. Besides studying in Malta, Maria has attended
courses and festivals in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, under the
tuition of renowned maestros of Flamenco. In 2004, she was
awarded the Comsec International Scholarship award and spent
some months studying Flamenco in Seville, Spain. Maria has also
attended courses held in Malta by visiting Spanish maestros.
Rosana Maya
South African born and trained dancer and
artist, Rosana has a career which spans many areas of the arts,
yet with one particular focus, the art of Flamenco. She is a
Royal Academy of Ballet and Cecchetti Elementary graduate, holds
the Spanish Dance Society Teachers Diploma and Profesora Asesora,
syllabus coordinator, to the Alianza Flamenca. Rosana is a
freelance lecturer at the University of Malta on the Evolution
of the Performing Arts in Spain and is invited to deliver
lecture demonstrations and dance workshops on the subject
internationally. Rosana founded her own academy of dance,
Alegria Flamenco, in 1999 together with fellow classical ballet
master Nicola Henson. Students are trained from beginner to
advanced levels in various dance disciplines, Ballet, Jazz,
Belly Dance and Flamenco namely, with the possible eventuality
of being invited to join the Alegria Dance Company. Rosana
regularly attends festivals and courses in Spain with renowned
maestros of Flamenco and also hosts such artists to give
workshops at her academy in Malta. The company repertoire spans
various genres of the performing arts, that being theatre,
cabaret, film, festivals and gala.
Flamenco
A passionate dance from the heart of
southern Spain:
Flamenco is not just an art, it is also a
philosophy, a way of life styled to those who created it, that
of free spirited nomads living within strict social rules all of
their own. These people are the gypsies who were said to have
begun their journey from India and settled in Andalucia, south
of Spain.
Flamenco comprises primarily of cante (song),
toque (guitar) and most dominantly the baile (dance). The name
juerga was given to a group of flamencos that got together to
exert their art. All present will join in the palmas (clapping)
and any other musician may find occasion to join the group.
Coming from the warm climate of the south of
Spain, Flamenco brings with it temperament and drama, an
obsession for bulls and horses, for music and dance. To the
strum of the guitar, the dancers passionately beat the earth and
twist their bodies while the singers wail the lament of their
ancestors.
Course in Flamenco
The course will cover the practical
application of Flamenco dance incorporating the foundational
knowledge of the music, technique and style of Flamenco. The
essential features will be explored i.e. music, song and dance,
compas (musical understanding), palmas (clapping), jaleo (verbal
accompaniment) and the duende (soul) of the art will be imparted
giving the student the knowledge into the beauty of Flamenco as
a dance and the expression of the art form.
The class progression will be articulated in
the choreography of a dance (Bulerias/ Tangos/ Guajiras/Farruca)
that will be performed at the culmination of the course.
Castanets may also be taught to those who have the instrument.
Flamenco dance gear is preferable for the
course but should the items not be available it is suggested
that the student wear a comfortable shoe with a heel (not
stiletto), women, a skirt and top (fitted) to allow for free
movement and gentlemen wear trousers and comfortable T-shirt (no
jeans).
The class will be thus structured: warm up,
footwork technique, arm movements, paseos and choreography, cool
down. An historical and academic terminology will also be
covered in the class. All questions are welcome, says Mansoor
Ahmed, of Let's Dance, centre for dance and performing arts, New
No. 63, 2nd Floor, E V K Sampath Road, (Opposite Jain Temple/Swapnalok
Apartments), Vepery, Chennai 7.
Nearly 250 students from the age group of 8
to 20 participated from Let's Dance, Chennai, on August 5, 6, 7
& 8.
R Rangaraj |
