Who is the Community?
All of you, who come by to spend time on this site or at our events and classes.
Tell your story here (long or short), and we'll happily add it.
Abby I love Halloween, and my favorite costume, which I wore two years in a row at 4 and 5, was the red flamenco dress my abeula gave to me. The next Halloweens to proceed, I was a gypsy two years running. My great grandparents and grandma were from the North of Spain, but I treasured the flairs of flamenco long before I knew I would dance it one day.At 10, flamenco captured me for a first time. I remember sitting in a tablao when I was 10 in Spain and not being able to control my feet from tapping under the table as I watched the performers in awe.I stumbled upon flamenco again at age 20 while living in Sante Fe, NM by searching in the phone book for dance studios. I continued on and off through college, studying in particular flamenco communities in Japan. I love being part of the wonderful community of flamencos Laura has brought together. I dance now because it makes me feel strong, alive and individually expressive within a beautifully rhythmic and soulful form. Celeste Well, my story is less dramatic than that. I started to salsa back in ’95, and was immediatly caught up in Latin Dance. At that time i promised myself that if i didn’t have a tango partner by the time i turned 50 (i wasn’t even 40 at the time), that i would learn flamenco, so i could do it by myself. Well, 50 came and went, and then a person i worked with, “Scotty,” died, and i realized i couldn’t keep putting things off, because tomorrow is so ephemereal. So, @ 52 1/2 started, finally, learning flamenco with Laura, though for the first several months it was just sevillanas. And now, today, i just turned 55. I still cannot flamenco, but i am more interested in it now more than ever…mostly from watching such fantastic examples. Thank you, Laura!
Amanda My grandparents came over to Canada as refugees during the civil war that was happening in Spain... Unfortunately, I never got to meet them because they passed before I was born but my mother took us as a family to Spain a couple times so I guess you could say I've always known about flamenco and liked it.... I didn't feel the real spark until the spring of 2015, though. I went to the south of Spain with a friend and we went to Córdoba for a few days. We were having dinner when she had to excuse herself to answer a phone call. I decided to wander down the streets of Córdoba while she was on the phone and suddenly, I could hear some music in the distance. I thought.... Is that flamenco? I kept walking and I heard it get louder and louder and I eventually found myself in a plaza with a bunch of people turned towards a stage. It must have been some kind of event/festival because people of all ages were dancing different pieces that had been choreographed. I couldn't believe that I had just landed upon this! I'm not sure if it was because of the particular place I was at in my life at that time or what it was, but it really moved me. In a way that it never had before and whatever it was that they had up on stage, I knew that I wanted that feeling in my life. There were a few palos in particular that stood out to me and actually made me cry. I told myself that when I got back to Canada, I would search for flamenco classes. I had no idea if they even had flamenco classes in Canada but I wanted to find some. I was moving to Victoria, BC later that fall and, sure enough, after a simple search, not only did I find flamenco classes... I found an entire dance school dedicated just to flamenco. As soon as I moved there, I signed up for classes and I've been in love ever since! It has taken me on such an amazing journey of growth and discovery... I have learned things about myself that I had never expected to find in a dance class and I look forward to what else it might have in store for me ;)
Anastasia I was five years old and new to Portland when I first saw flamenco. I saw a woman in a beautiful yellow dress take the stage then my life changed forever. The grace of the arms, the stomp of the feet, the altogether seeming spontaneity really drew me in. Since then I have tried other types of dance classes, but the day my mom took me to a beginner's flamenco class I was hooked. The flamenco community is so supportive and cooperative. I love Sevillanas and even had a flamenco themed birthday party where I got to share authentic flamenco clothes and shoes and a professional lesson with my friends. I've been dancing for two years now and I can't wait to see what's next.
Anne Wrenn aka Ana Reina When I was 6 years old, I began to hear strange music in my head. I also became fascinated with the Gypsies I saw on the pages of National Geographic magazine. I was 10 when I saw Jose Greco on TV and realized this was "flamingo". Growing up in a small Southern town, we had no dance teachers. While in college in Wash. DC , I began to take lessons, attend concerts, etc. I danced with a group of Spanish women in Virginia, took classes in New York City, attended Teo Morca's workshops. I studied with Vicky Cooke for 7 years in Virginia Beach. I began to improvise and develop a "Gypsy" style. I am 73 years old. One day, I will study in Jerez with you.
Ara Melkonian I am dancing since I was 5 year old. I remember ever day after my kindergarten I was rushing to come home and do coreagraphy and making formation with my chess . I put the black ones as a men and white ones as a women, and I was moving them deferent direction. Then I start to take dance classes here and there by the way this was in Armenia. And 1975 we came to America and I start dancing professionaly in the Russian dance company, then one day I saw a flamenco show it just touched me in my the heart. I took class second day.
Beth I saw flamenco for the first time in the movie Strictly Ballroom. After that I found a dance studio through the University of Minnesota and took a couple of intro classes between 2005-2010 until I moved to Portland. I didn’t know where to take classes in Portland, so I didn’t do anything until February 2016 when I walked into your class. It probably took me a couple of years to finally get the nerve to actually show up and check it out. You told me grab a pair of shoes and join in even though I thought I was just going to watch. I have been going nonstop ever since. It was the bata de cola that really drew me in early on and it was always a goal of mine to dance with a bata. Something I love about Flamenco is its complexity and layers. I am constantly challenged to understand the relationship between baile, cante, palmas, y toque.
Bo I became interested in flamenco because I love the music. It's very exciting, and I love to dance! I love the footwork. I have only take a few lessons from Julie; she helps me learn in a fun way and I really enjoy spending time with her.
Celeste Well, I can't say that I actually dance Flamenco, but my intent to learn it began 20 years ago. I took up salsa and other Latin dancing and fell madly in love with it! I hoped--especially upon getting married--to learn tango, and I imagine I would have been quite good at it, as i am very musical and was pretty good at salsa. But i promised myself that if i didn't have a partner to learn tango with, that i would take up Flamenco when i turned 50, as you don't need a partner for that. I did turn 50, and never forgot my promise, but i didn't follow through until a year later, when i young client i worked with, Scotty, died. That galvanized me to finally begin taking a class. But, as usual, my finances got in the way of following through with any of my plans. Plus i wasn't very good at it! But since i've always been good at singing, it has been in the back of my mind for years to learn the cantas (and palmas) and sing and clap while the rest of you dance! And learn a little more flamenco myself as well. So I keep following along your journey, and your notices and schedules, and hope to squeeze myself back into it one of these days...especially by a year from now, when i'll turn 60!!! And I never lose hope that one day the tide will turn, and I'll actually have some money to spend, and can join you on one of your trips to Spain! or maybe even more than one!!! I am so glad that you followed your heart and intuition and took-and stayed on-the path of Flamenco. You are so brave, Laura! and so gosh-darn GOOD at it as well!!! <3
Charlotte I was 10 or so maybe 12 - very young performing in a dance recital and the teacher performed a Spanish piece with castanets and tap shoes - in the 50s. I didn't know anything of the history or of Spain I was studying ballet mostly. I lived in St. Louis the teacher took my mother and me to Chicago to her flamenco teacher - I made 2 or 3 trips annually to study with her with my mother accompanying me. She took hand written notes no videos or zoom back then. I'm still studying flamenco and have off and on ever since. I love the rhythms the feelings of joy and pain the cante everything. And it is very accessible for someone in their crone years who has had multiple injuries - I think Zorri is magical.
Derek Brown I became interested in flamenco out of a love for Spanish classical guitar music. Over the years, I've had a variety of classical and flamenco guitar teachers, but nothing has been as powerful as spending a month in Granada last summer and experiencing flamenco culture first hand. I love to accompany flamenco dancers and signers as a guitarist, but don't want to scare anyone away with my dancing. ;) I am excited to continue learning how to accompany flamenco dancers and singers, I love being on this journey!
Elaine Shannon When I was in my twenties I had a boyfriend who grew up in Sevilla and was a flamenco guitarist..I was a modern dancer and really only thought of Flamenco as music. Fast forward 30 years, newly widowed, I was planning a trip to Spain with some friends. I decided to take a flamenco class to understand the culture a little better and I WAS SMITTEN. The one month class turned into an addiction that has grown from once a week to 7-8 a week. I became engulfed in the fun loving inclusive flamenco community in Boston. Fine teachers including Ramon de los Reyes, Isaac de los Reyes , Laura Sanchez and Sabrina Aviles.
Funny thing about COVID..it has allowed me to study with teachers in Spain on Zoom who I would never had been able to dance with like Auxi Fernandes. But I do miss my in person classes. Now that I am vaccinated I plan on returning to the studio this week. Flamenco has allowed me to express my deepest and most sacred emotions without fear, without being self conscious. And I intend to be doing that for as long as there is breath in my body. AMEN
Elida Ok…here it goes! I am very new to flamenco, just one lesson to be exact, but I’ve always been intrigued. When I was a junior in high school I saved my money all year, enough to go and spend a summer with our foreign exchange student in Spain. I fell in love with the culture, with the people, with everything Spanish. It helped I had a boyfriend who refused to speak to me in English, telling me repeatedly that I came to Spain “para aprender espanol” (to learn Spanish), and by the end of the summer, he was right and I was dreaming in Spanish. Fast forward almost 20yrs., three kids later, a divorce and a lifetime of experiences. It’s because of all these experiences that I feel my calling back to Spain and to Flamenco. The first year I separated from my husband my motto became, “why not?” If I can’t find a really good reason not to try something, or to go for it, then I’m doing it. You should have seen me the first day of swim lessons, apparently I didn’t get the memo that a polka dot string bikini wasn’t appropriate and that everyone else was equipped with their speedo, goggles, and a swim cap! Thank God for friends who buy extras! I made it through the lessons though and I’m proud to say that although I’m not a fantastic swimmer, I’m decent….and I did it! I love to dance almost as much as I love Spain. I want to stomp, clap, and twirl with the best of them, and do it on beat! Ha! I don’t know if I’ll ever re-marry, but if I do I’ll wear a red dress and dance flamenco down the aisle! That’s a promise!
Emily Ever since my first exposure to flamenco, I've been enraptured by it. With every performance, I felt moved to learn to dance it myself, but I was convinced I lacked the grace and coordination required to dance at all, let alone to dance a dance as proud, unreserved, and technical as flamenco. Plus, I had another problem: stage fright. I grew up a musician, but when it came time to choose between a traditional college education or music, I chose the college degree because of my unrelenting and debilitating stage fright. No matter how well I performed during rehearsal, I invariably had panic attacks and blacked out on stage. Performing in the orchestra pit was somewhat less incapacitating, and I decided my talents could only be shared out of sight. After completing the college degree I had opted for over music, I followed my love of Spanish language and culture to Spain, where I finally decided to rediscover my love for the performing arts by learning to dance sevillanas. I thought this partner dance would be more formulaic and easier to "fake." Still, I told myself I could never even attempt to learn flamenco, as much as I admired it from the other side of the stage. Once I learned sevillanas, I regularly danced the night away in underground bars on Gran Vía in Madrid, but only in a social setting where I didn't feel like I was the center of attention. Stage fright still got the best of me when it came time to perform at the end of the year-long sevillanas class. Within a year of learning sevillanas, I found myself in Sevilla in a crowd of people dancing. When I tried to join, I realized I had already forgotten the steps. I felt a profound sense of disappointment, but I moved back to the US shortly thereafter and ultimately accepted that I had lost my chance. As time went on and I missed Spain more and more, I finally decided to search for sevillanas classes in Portland (only after I decided it was impossible to learn them using YouTube!). I found Laura and took a handful of sevillanas classes from her. When the series ended and she returned to her regular schedule of flamenco classes (no more sevillanas), I was left wanting more. I decided there was no option but to stick around and do something I never thought I could: learn flamenco. Today, I'm unwilling to let fear or self-doubt stop me from doing something I love, and I no longer believe there's such a thing as a person who can't dance. Only time will tell whether I'll ever overcome my stage fright.
Emma When I was 5 years old, I got my first pair of wooden clogs. I put them on, and started to staccato forwards in them, Corrida style. I enjoyed the wonders of sound coming from my feet very much! (And kept staring at the source heads down, and ran into the wall and passed out).Growing up, I would purchase shoes with leather soles, and I would have a shoemaker add metal plates at the tips and heels to all of my shoes in order to prolong the lifespan of the shoes. It also provided great sound possibilities, coming from my shoes again. (Nowadays there are no shoemakers left, and shoes have synthetic soles, and you throw them away instead of fixing) As a young adult I went to Barcelona, and I saw a Flamenco troupe dance at the Ramblas, and was taken. When I moved to New York a few years later, I met a beautiful dancer, who volunteered her help in the public park where I worked as a gardener. She connected me with a Flamenco dance teacher, and I have never given it up since. At times I could not take dance classes regularly, because I lived to rural, but I still had access to Flamenco music, occasional shows caught when traveling, books and films. In the past decade I have been so blessed to be able to take Flamenco classes regularly. I have periods when I seriously consider quitting dancing, because it requires so much time, and money, both things I have a shortage of. I continue dancing, because I have to do some sort of physical exercise activity to offset the damage that full-time computer work is doing to my body. It would all cost time, and often also money. So I might as well continue with what I love so much anyhow. The prospect of life without Flamenco would be very void, unfulfilling and empty to me. There are too many aspects that I love about Flamenco music and dance to list here. Leading them is the fact that I derive great pleasure from making and accompanying music with just my body, dress and shoes, nothing else is necessary. Additionally Flamenco helps me cope with life’s many challenges, on many different levels. Others go to church or to a shrink for that, Flamenco fills the spot for me. Thank you for keeping up this wonderful blog/newsletter next to your busy schedule. I enjoy it highly, visit often, and learn much from it. It is indeed of great service to the flamenco community.
Erin Derr This is the story of how I came to Flamenco. Two years ago, I saw my first Flamenco performance near my home in Vancouver, BC. I talked to the dancer and signed up for lessons at the school where she trained (Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy). I took lessons for a semester, and even performed two Coplas of Sevillanas at the year-end concert. I took a few more lessons after that, trying to move up to the beginner class (which was still a little too advanced for me) and the Bulerias por Fiesta class (which was way too advanced for me!) Unfortunately I ran out of money and wasn’t able to take classes after that. I hoped that my financial situation would improve and I would be able to return to lessons. That was two years ago. In the meantime, I moved to the Portland area and my financial situation has not improved. But I miss flamenco too much and I have decided that I need to find other ways to get involved with the community. I am pretty shy and self-depreciating, and have spent most of my life trying to be a small little ball that no one notices, to the point where it’s affected my posture. Flamenco helps bring out the part of me that is confident, proud, and beautiful. No one can say anything bad about you when you have nails in your shoes!
Eva I am Andalusian. My mother is from Granada. My father was from Seville and I, from Almeria. I grew up listening to my mother “singing” bulerias while cleaning the house and to my father listening to Paco de Lucia, Rafael Farina and others FOR HOURS. Since she will never read this, I can tell you that when I say my mother was singing, I am really embellishing it. That was not singing at all.. even though she still thinks it is. Anyway, as you can imagine, in such proud Andalusian household, learning how to dance sevillanas and other regional dances was a must. As soon as I could move my feet, and against my will, I was enrolled in sevillana classes. The problem is that I hated it and so as soon as I could stop, I did. That was almost 30 years ago. Last year, my father passed away and I miss him terribly. Wanting to feel closer to him, I began listening to sevillanas and flamenco. In doing so, I realized that flamenco music cheers me up. It gets my out of the funk I find myself in sometimes. Then, I also began thinking that maybe it was time to re-start my sevillana classes. Today was my first class, and let me just say that I wished I had paid more attention decades ago. I will probably end up “dancing” sevillanas like my mother used to “sing” bulerias but to me, it is more than re-learning sevillanas. I am completing a full cycle… if that makes any sense. I was in Almeria 2 weeks ago and I had my measurements taken for a sevillana dress. It makes no difference if I am good or really bad at this sevillana business, one year from now, I will be “dancing” them with my new dress. Laura, you were great and very patient. Thank you.
Gael Twenty years ago I took a sevillanas class at PSU from Faly and after that just kept dancing. I keep dancing flamenco because it makes me happy.
Intesar I was 8. My older sisters had the chance to visit Spain with my dad. I was not able to join because of school. I was too jealous. When they came back they brought coasters with flamenco dancers and castanets and abanicos and would not stop talking about what they saw. I used to stare at those coasters and play with the castanets the wrong way. Since then I have been fascinated with everything flamenco. The guitar music, the ruffles, the castanets sound, the dance moves and the pride ... then 2 years ago I commented on a post on Facebook, asking if classes are offered in Portland, and Laura replied ... now I'm hooked for life.
Jackie I first discovered flamenco when I was studying Spanish for a summer in Sevilla. I had seen several shows, and in the bars late at night people would spontaneously start dancing sevillanas! There were a few language students that came for both language and dance study. They invited me to some of their dance lessons, and I thought, “one day, I’d like to start taking flamenco classes!” I found a class when I moved to Portland, and I’ve been studying flamenco ever since.
Joel Cuando tenia 8 a 10 anos mi abuelo me llevaba a Las corridas de toros ,donde los becerritos eran mas pequenos que los toreros y aun Asi con la Capa salian corriendo y volando del ruedo. Desde entonces me gusta el flamenco. ~ Between the ages of eight to ten my grandma took me to bullfights where the calves were smaller than the bullfighters, and even with this, they went out running through the sand with their cape. From that moment on, I've loved flamenco.
John Dimick I started off with a guitar in my crib. It was a little wind-up guitar. I still have a picture of the guitar and me from almost 60 years ago. The next step happened when I was 15. I found out that some girls really like guitar players. I started practicing with more seriousness. A mix of classical and flamenco from a guitar method book. At the same time, I looked through my mother’s record collection and found two recordings that made all the difference. One was by Jose Rey de la Torre, a famous classical guitarist. A very beautiful recording of Spanish classical music. Albeniz, Granados, Falla. The other was the milestone recording Flamenco Puro, by Sabicas. When I heard that, I couldn’t imagine how he was doing it and I wanted to find out. Over the next few years I slowly picked up little bits of flamenco guitar playing here and there. But I didn’t become a flamenco guitarist. I never accompanied dancers or singers. I was a classical soloist who was able to copy a few things from Sabicas. Not such a bad thing. Ten years went by. I was making a meager but enjoyable living as a guitarist and teacher. I even got to make a TV commercial promoting a Carlos Montoya concert. It involved playing a few Solea falsetas on camera. It was exciting for me. One night I heard there was to be a juerga at a hotel in town. It was one of the first meetings of the San Jose Flamenco Society, founded by Anita Sheer. At the juerga Anita invited me to play. I wasn’t about to try any flamenco with all those real flamenco types around, but I ventured to play Leyenda and Recuerdos de la Alhambra, two of the most famous Spanish pieces from the classical repertoire. It was a big hit and they asked me back many times. I think they thought of me as the “classical relief” — a nice change of mood partway through the show.. It worked out very well for me. I got to meet some terrific flamencos. I learned a lot. I picked up some good flamenco stories, too. I don’t play anymore, but I still love to listen and watch, but mostly just on Internet videos these days. I am subscribed to your RSS feed, so maybe I can arrange to be in Portland sometime when you are having an event. It seems like there ought to be a place in Portland where aficionados can just drop in for a quick fix. Years ago there used to be a little hole in the wall next to the Brasserie in downtown Portland just for that. They had tapas and sangria and guitarists, singers, and dancers at various times throughout the week. It was a great little place. I don’t remember the name of it, but I’d usually check in when I was in town and it was always fun. Someone should start another one!
Julie My very first experience with flamenco was when I was 14 on a student tour of Spain with my teacher and many other very young Americans. In Madrid, our guide offered to take a few of us to a tablao flamenco show one evening we had nothing else planned. As a ballet dancer myself, I jumped at the chance, even though I really had no idea what flamenco was. Unfortunately that was also my very first time trying sangria, so memories of the evening are cloudy at best, but I do remember that it seemed strange and powerful, and that it left a strong impression. My affinity for all things having to do with the Spanish speaking world eventually brought me back around to flamenco again many years later when, in the mid 1990′s my new husband and I went for dinner to Cafe Sol in Portland, where Rafaela de Cadiz and Victor were performing. I was entranced. We stayed until the performance ended, and I knew in my gut that this was the next thing I needed to learn. I introduced myself to Rafaela and began lessons the next week. Now, many years and two children later, flamenco is still the main passion in my life, coming only after my family and my vocation, teaching Spanish to teenagers. I continue to study and dance with Rafaela, but also began studying with Laura three years ago. The balance between the approaches, influences, and specific talents of these two inspiring women was just what I needed. I have learned so much in those three years, especially from Laura, but also from the many other flamencos I have had the pleasure to meet through Laura’s tireless work to “grow” the flamenco community in Portland. My flamenco life has been unquantifiably enriched by the time I have spent studying with Laura and in the company of other flamencos surrounding her. And…I can’t finish this “testimonial” without adding with true appreciation: Laura is a natural born teacher, warm, nurturing, challenging, observant, and dedicated!
Kikuyo I first saw flamenco when I was in Japan, and I fell in love with the music and the appearance. I wasn’t able to take a class because I was living in the country and working a lot. When I came here I met Faly at PCC and I decided to take Spanish class with her. She was teaching sevillanas there so I decided to take the class. I continued taking sevillanas and an intermediate class with her. Then I got pregnant and had babies and many years passed. I finally came back and studied with another teacher then I came to your class and I really liked the class and I’m so glad to have met you.
Laura Castleberry I’ve always loved to dance and had been hearing a lot about Flamenco. I just happened upon a performance on TV and was totally swept away by the sounds of the castanets and the taps of the shoes hitting the floor, and the drama of it all. I thought ‘Wow! What a great way to release your emotions’. Shortly after this, I was at a picnic and one of my friends who had been taking classes with Laura showed us some of the steps she had learned and told us how much she loved the classes and flamenco. She gave me Laura’s phone number and I started classes right away. I quickly realized that it would be a long, long time before I advanced to castanets. But once you get the flamenco fever, it’s with you forever, castanets or no castanets. And it’s a definite bonus to have a teacher who is both passionate and encouraging.
Laurie Through my Spanish class I went to a music venue to see a Cuban musician and his band. At the performance this beautiful woman got up and did a dance and with her intense eyes I felt like she looked right into my soul. I was mesmerized and intrigued and did not even realize at the time that what she danced was flamenco. I just knew I wanted to be able to do what she did or at least be part of that community. People in the audience told me who she was and that she taught flamenco. I went right home, looked her up, found the studio and signed up immediately! I have never looked back. It has been such an amazing journey with wonderful people and experiences. It has made me challenge myself and do things I never imagined. I was not a dancer, so I was a huge challenge, but oh, so worth it. The friendships and the enrichment of life I will always be grateful for.
Lily Flamenco is a passion that grabs hold of you from the first moment. From the time I was a little girl I’ve had the opportunity to study and connect with this beautiful art form. Flamenco is a universal art that connects feelings, lives and experiences around the world. Flamenco transcends borders and transforms the lives of those who are able to feel it.
Lindsay I started dancing flamenco because it seemed so beautiful and challenging, and that proved to be true! I keep dancing because though it is hard work, I get joy and satisfaction from the mysterious way the dance becomes natural and internalized. Dancing-- without thinking -- is a great joy.
Lindy I became interested in flamenco when I was on a trip with a friend to Santa Fe and we came across an exhibit "Flamenco: From Spain to New Mexico". I was captivated instantly. The sensuality, the history, the music, the rhythms...and the fabulous dresses! As soon as I was back in Portland I looked for flamenco performances to attend, found one at Cafe Artichoke and ended up sharing a table with Laura and one of her students. I dance Flamenco for the joy of being able to participate in a beautiful and powerful art form that challenges me to continue to learn.
Lynn I started taking flamenco classes for the first time about 15 years ago, but I have had long lapses during my life where I didn’t study Flamenco at all for a variety of reasons. Nonetheless, it has become such a part of me that I keep coming back to it, especially to Bulerías, which I remember fondly from my first trip to Spain. I was performing with a small amateur ballet company when I first started to study flamenco. My teacher suggested that we study another dance form to make our movements less rigid, more fluid. I chose flamenco because I spoke Spanish and I loved flamenco music. It turns out that I took class with one of the best-known flamenco teachers on the West Coast at the time, Linda Vega. I was so fortunate. When she danced Bulerias and Solea on stage at El Cid in Los Angeles, I was completely mesmerized, and it formed a very lasting impression on me. When I went to Spain for the first time, I made sure to go to the tablaos that Linda had told me about, including Corral de la Morería. That was where I saw the first live flamenco show in Spain. At about 2 in the morning, after the main show was over, a group of dancers came up on stage and did some great improv bulerías. I'll never forget the moment when the matriarch of the group got up on stage. I was totally captivated by her performance, by her presence on stage. Of all of the flamenco I've ever seen, her performance still stands out as one of the best. What I have also noticed with flamenco, is that the longer you do it, the easier it is to improvise, to leverage what you already know. I am really happy that I have the opportunity to continue to develop my skills and perform in flamenco shows in the Portland area.
Naomi I’m not really sure what happened. I think I saw a flamenco performance on TV. Somehow I wonder if I equated the stomping sounds with the sound of Linda Carter’s boots in the TV series Wonder Woman–really love that sound! As odd as that connection might seem at first, it ends up making sense. Wonder Woman was agile, passionate, and powerful. In those boots you could hear her coming and you might want to be on her side! (and seriously I LOVE that sound!) But really, that first performance that I saw moved me like no other art ever had or ever did again. (I can still hear the palmas and I don’t even know who it was.) I HAD TO DO THIS!! So, I looked for 3 years for a class that worked with my schedule. I learned that flamenco embodies the same qualities as Wonder Woman–passion, power, and agility. And when I am lucky enough to make it to a show, I am even more entranced than I was as a little girl watching my hero on TV. So I guess that connection isn’t so weird after all. …….and the sound of the shoes. I could write a 10 page essay on how I feel about it and still not be able to convey that adequately. So I guess the best way to say it: “Ole!”
Nancy P. I'm not a dancer but I've always loved flamenco. Through all of my life I've had an unexplainable affinity for Spain, and to me flamenco seemed like the expression of the heart and soul of Spain. This 'affinity' influenced many momentous experiences in my life. I married my husband because he played flamenco guitar. Then later, as a family with four small kids, we were inspired to up and move to Barcelona because I wanted to experience living in the old Spain before it caught up with the modern world. We lived there for several years during the Franco regime. I listened constantly to flamenco, always sought out performances, learned who all the great performers were, learned everything I could about it through books and movies, always thinking some day I would take dance lessons. That day has been a long time coming! So now, experiencing a pandemic and getting ready to celebrate my 80th birthday this year - what could be a better time?? :) I don't know how much of an actual dancer I'll actually be, but what I love about the dance classes is that I feel like I'm on the 'inside’, finally starting to learn the things about flamenco that I've really wanted to know.
Pat Coffey Great questions. I have no ready answers. Though I don’t know much about the music, its forms, its history, I’ve always felt an emotional connection with flamenco. My wife died last year. Since then I’ve been trying to deal with the darkness without either embracing it or running away from it, which is a fine and difficult dance in itself, and your classes seemed like something that might help me to do that. Zumba is shallow; salsa is too raucous; I can’t afford sailing or golf. Flamenco dance, with its potential for depth of expression, has possibilities, but the bleak truth is that my injured leg will probably be too much of an impediment. There is still singing and cajon, and, failing that, red wine. We shall see. Keep up the good work.
Robert (Bobito) I started out as a drummer in a rock n roll band in university, then switched to electric guitar. During travels in USAF I stopped at a family friend's place for a couple nights & he was taking flamenco guitar lessons - had a bunch of records (dating myself) - Carlos Montoya & Sabicas were about all you could get at the time. I was hooked. Started collecting Montoya & Sabicas, even Mario Escudero, while stationed in Korea. Bought an inexpensive classical guitar on the Ginza while on R&R - Yairi, now known for their Aria guitars, but I think I paid $12 for my first. As soon as I got discharged from the air farce, I moved with wife & first son to San Francisco & started taking lessons from Mariano Cordoba who used to be an accompanist for the Antonio dance company back into the 50's & early 60's. On & off lessons during the decades that followed, also studied classical guitar, bought an excellent Conde Bros flamenco which is still my constant companion after 40+ yrs. Washed up in the Portland area after living in Hawaii for over 20 yrs, found Julia Banzi, took lessons from her for a couple years, started accompanying in the Portland area - think I accompanied you a time or two at Frank Engel's garage studio, jammed with Yoshi whom I respect immensely. More lessons after age 60 in Sevilla with Ruben Romero, sometime accompanist at Jose Galvan's dance studios - one of a legion of talented young Sevillano guitarists who play like gods! Still living in Rome for the past 15 yrs where there is NO flamenco 'scene' but still practice regularly because, well, when it's in your blood, it's what you do. I hear good things about you & your efforts to foster continuing interest in this intricate & demanding discipline. Plz keep on keeping on! As Toshi would say: Ganbatte!
Seana You could say I started flamenco in second grade, or perhaps in Sevilla when I studied abroad in college. However, I really pursued flamenco whilst living in Denver. I found a teacher originally from Sevilla. It was the perfect form of dance that did not require a partner, allowed me to be any age, any shape and provided a community of friendship. When I prepared to move back to Oregon in 2012, I knew I wanted to find a flamenco community. I found Laura. She taught me more than just how to dance the steps, she helped me understand how to improvise within the structure of each flamenco rhythm. Even if I'm unable to attend class regularly, I am never left feeling dissatisfied by the fun, exercise and community of friendships.
Shelley Boa I started dancing when I was 3, and discovered general Spanish dance in my teens, but it wasn't till my 20's that I saw Carlos Saura's Carmen that I was reminded I needed to try that flamenco thing. I found a class but I didn't get the courage to go for a few months. When I finally did, I was hooked. I did some semi pro dancing, shows here and there. Then I left Australia for work in London, did a few classes, and then ended up in Ann Arbor Michigan via Ontario Canada. I remember about 11 years ago, I was so desperate to dance that I started teaching myself the faruca of Jaaquin Cortes from 'Flamenco'. Then, at the end of last year, I found a photo of me dancing, and suddenly I was overwhelmed with a NEED to dance again. I googled to see if there was a class close by and I found one, a mile away, that wasn't there when I first moved. My whole being sighed with relief from that first class. Flamenco is more meditative for me than yoga, which I do a lot of. I am never more present than when I dance. Plus I am so happy to have found my teacher, and the other students that take her classes. My mother kept two of my old costumes, and they stand up to the test of time. Im making some new ones just for the creative exercise. Flamenco makes me whole in a way nothing else does.
Stefani I take flamenco because of the people I get to meet and socialize with and travel with. It is great exercise for me that is not boring. Other classes are so repetitive that I give them up. Flamenco stretches my comfort level and pushes me to do things that I would not normally do. (ie-perform, take advance classes, sing, etc) I think that is good for a person and keeps them from getting old and set in their ways. I am totally addicted. I can’t ever imagine not being involved with flamenco because it has become such a big part of my life.
Stella I was about 10 years old, growing up in Russia when I got to see a performance of a flamenco dancer from Spain (an incredibly rare event for Russia). It stayed with me. The next time I got to see a flamenco dancer I was 26 and living in US. I took flamenco lessons for about 3 years. Then we moved and there were decades without dancing. I have been with Laura for the last 6 years as a very casual dancer. In retrospect I wish I was a more dedicated student, but we do what we can. The more I dance, the more I love this palo, it touches something mysteriously deep and beautiful within me... and I believe I am not alone :).
Suzanne Wunderlich I'm a Spanish teacher in a high school (far from Oregon!) and am not a native Spanish-speaker, but I continue learning the language. One thing I do to continue learning is to listen to music in Spanish. I love just about any genre of music in Spanish. Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend many concerts of wonderful Hispanic musicians and artists, but have only seen a few live flamenco shows, but love everything - the music of the guitar, the clapping, the singing and the dancing, especially the fast tapping and movements by both women and men. The dancers seem to have so much confidence and power. What got me to really start listening more and more was the fact that I couldn't understand easily the verses being sung, and that bothered me (So I appreciate very much that Laura sends lyrics in her emails!) In addition, I also began to like singers and bands who blended flamenco with other types of music, even rock, like Leyenda del Tiempo! Now I know about Camarón, Paco de Lucía, Tomatito, José Mercé, among others. It was cool to be able to understand a YouTube video of a panel of musicians and a producer who knew Camerón well discussing his talent and personality. I have discovered a newer dancer by the name of Rocio Molina, who is fantastic, and I love to watch videos of people taking turns singing while seated at a table with the accompinament of clapping and finger tapping. So, I do not know if I will ever dance flamenco myself, but I will continue to enjoy and appreciate everything about this music and dance!
Val I just like dancing ( but never took lessons – until now), and I really love music. I love my Caribbean music, so my facial expressions come naturally; ……… and as for flamenco, I remember as a kid I would watch the Western or movies from Spain with women performing this beautiful dance and was always fascinated over that. I never knew it was called flamenco until I saw you perform at the Revels event which brought back childhood memories; plus your intensity of your performance stuck with me since; so maybe that has something to do with my facial expression in my flamenco piece although not intentionally done. I also play the guitar ( although I have not played in years) so I have a special love for pieces with string instruments.
Rosalina Our family was at a park in east Los Angeles and there was a Spanish dance group performing on the outdoor stage. The teacher, Lily Aguilar, announced that she gave free lessons. My small daughter wanted to take lessons. I would sit with the other mothers and watch and wished I could take lessons, all the students were young. After a few months my daughter didn't want to continue. I talked to Mrs Aguilar about taking lessons. As it turned out she had another class for older students and invited me to come. She taught Mexican folk dance and classical Spanish dance not flamenco. Loved learning. Eventually we moved Fresno ca. One day was passing the theater and saw that there was going to be a flamenco show, I didn't know what flamenco was. Well sat there and fell in love with flamenco, started taking lessons. Over the years have had several teachers, some good, some not so good. But my love of flamenco has has not diminished. I am now in my seventies and attribute the fact that my body is still flexible to flamenco practice. I have recently move to Whidbey Island, Wa, where there is no flamenco. Hope one day to go to one of your workshops. Love to read your writings. I've learned so much from you. Looking forward to your book.
Rosalina I remember seeing Jose Greco on Ed Sullivvan show and thinking he was very feminine. Don’t know if I loved it or not but was intrigued. Many years later I passed a theater and saw a beautiful poster for a flamenco show. Bought a ticket. As I watched the dancers And heard the music 🎼 my heart was filled with such strong emotions. I thought I have to learn this dance! After met the teacher and started taking lessons That was the beginning.
Trish Perrin Yes-ole! Trying to dance (stomp) along with Jose Greco on the TV when in grade school. I fell down in Spanish dance class even younger, living in Albuquerque---sooo very embarrassed. I always loved it, but wasn't prepared to ever work hard enough at it. It still had the draw but in my older age, it was just too challenging. Fun, great times, though--especially visiting Espana and taking a couple of classes there.