Classes

Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy offers comprehensive technique and choreography classes for all levels and for all ages from Children to Adults and from Beginner to Advanced.  The academy is well-known for its unique “Por Fiesta” classes that explore musicianship, improvisation, and personal artistic development. Classes and workshops are also offered in abanico (fan), manton (shawl), bata de cola (skirt with long train) and palillos (castanets) as well as cajon (box drum), palmas (handclapping), cante (singing) and guitar.

Beginner

The Introduction/Beginner level is a first level course for students new to flamenco. The class will include technical exercises for footwork, turns, posture, movement and coordination. The class focuses on fundamental flamenco dance technique including braceo (arms), floreo (fingers), posture (torso) and zapateado (footwork). Students are introduced to palmas (handclapping), music and rhythms for different songs and jaleo (shouts of encouragement).

Intermediate

Intermediate level is a technique class that focuses on strengthening zapteado (footwork), improving overall technique and learning more complex choreographies. Students will explore different flamenco styles, the creation of movement, and traditional versus contemporary flamenco. Each class has exercises for zapateado (footwork), vueltas (turns) and marcaje (marking steps).

Advanced

Advanced level is for students with a strong flamenco foundation. The class is both a technique and choreography class, focusing on style, expression, music and technical skills. Each choreography is unique and explores a specific style of dance. Exercises include marcaje (marking steps), turns, estilo and complex footwork.

Tangos por Fiesta

Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy is famed in Canada for its unique and comprehensive training of cuadro flamenco including Tangos por Fiesta. Tangos por Fiesta is an improvisational party dance originating from Andalucia in 4/4 time signature. It is danced and sung spontaneously at weddings, festivals, parties and in the streets. Tangos por Fiesta classes include choreography, rhythm and palmas (hand clapping), and listening to the cante (song). Most importantly, they explain the improvisational dance structure, the significance of remates and llamadas, and allow students the opportunity to dance with live musicians. Students learn how the dance relates to the cante, guitar and palmas and improvise using simple steps.

Bulerias por Fiesta

Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy is famed in Canada for its unique and comprehensive training of cuadro flamenco including Bulerias por Fiesta. Bulerias por Fiesta, also known as Bulerias de Jerez, originates from the south of Spain and the birthplace of flamenco, Jerez de la Frontera. It is an improvisational party dance that can be counted in 12 compas, 6 compas or even 3! It is danced and sung spontaneously at weddings, festivals, parties and in the streets. Bulerias por Fiesta classes include choreography, rhythm and palmas (hand clapping), and listening to the cante (song). Most importantly, they explain the improvisational dance structure, the significance of remates and llamadas, and allow students the opportunity to dance with live musicians. Students learn how the dance relates to the cante, guitar and palmas and improvise using simple steps.

For students wishing to develop their own solos, we offer private lessons and tutorials in smaller groups so they are able to practice their solos many times.

Children

In flamenco class, children learn to move with joy and confidence through dance-oriented games and repetition. Flamenco classes foster independence, coordination, cooperation, concentration, respect for other students and respect for the art of flamenco. The studio also provides a cooperative, non-competitive environment where children can discover the joy of dancing. Kids have so much fun they often forget how much they are learning!

The kids’ curriculum comprises of all the basic elements of flamenco: braceo (arms), torso movement, zapateado (footwork), floreo (finger movements), jaleo (shouts of encouragement), palmas (hand clapping) and understanding rhythmic patterns. Through dance, children learn to connect with their bodies, gain a sense of rhythm and feel confidence in movement and self-expression. Students are encouraged to perform in costume at the annual student recital, which adds extra excitement to the class.

Bata De Cola

Bata de Cola is a skirt with an elegant long train with multiple ruffles trailing behind the dancer.  Students will learn the fundamentals of dancing with the bata de cola in the traditional Sevillan style.  The focus is to build a strong technical foundation to wield the bata de cola, but also to dance with grace and femininity, and explore style and expression.  Exercises include marcaje (marking steps) that involve hips, torso, arm movements and floreo. Various choreographies are taught throughout the year.  Dancers of all levels may join but you must have a bata de cola.

For more information on purchasing a bata de cola, please contact Kasandra for specification forms and order information.

Castanets

Neoclassical is a branch of Spanish Dance that adheres to flamenco and ballet lines while playing the castanets. Students will learn the fundamentals of dancing with the castanets with Oscar Nieto & Kasandra La China. Classes will include castanet exercises for finger dexterity and also integrate with dance movement. Various choreographies are taught throughout the year including Sevillanas, Fandangos de Huelva and recorded music.

Abanico / Fan

Flamenco is well known for dances with the Spanish abanico or fan. Today fans come in small, medium and large. Students will learn the fundamentals of dancing with the abanico in traditional and contemporary styles. The focus is to dance artistically with grace and explore style and expressions.

This year Guajira choreography and technique are taught at intermediate level on Tuesdays 6:00pm and in Sunday 12:00pm workshop. Students must purchase their own fans. For more information on purchasing abanico, please contact Michelle.

Garrotin with Hat

Flamenco is danced with the Cordobes sombrero or hat. This year Kasandra “La China” teaches Garrotin with hat on Wednesdays 7:30pm. Students will learn a charming original choreography from the Matilde Coral school based in Seville, Spain. In traditional Sevillan style, students will learn to dance artistically with grace, and explore style and expression. Students must purchase hats and costume in this performance class.