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What
is Spanish Dance?
Spanish Dance is a complex dance form,
difficult to explain in a single paragraph. Basically, Spanish dance
can be categorized in 6 groups, which are Flamenco, Classical Spanish Dance
(“Estilización”), Folklore, Eighteenth Century Dances, Ballet (Classical
Dance), and Castanets.
By far, Flamenco is the best-known Spanish
dance form due to the many dancers (“bailaores”) and musicians performing
this genre. As a result, Flamenco has eclipsed the performance of
other Spanish dance forms outside of Spain. Our focus is to teach
and perform Flamenco and all of the other Spanish dance forms, considered
by many to be Spanish heritage treasures.
Classical Spanish Dance encompasses sophisticated
choreography of Classical Music by great Spanish composers such as Manuel
de Falla, Albéniz, Granados, and Turina. Dancers wear either
Spanish dance shoes or Ballet shoes, often while playing the castanets.
The dance blends Flamenco, Folklore, and Classical Ballet.
Spanish Folklore is very diverse.
Each region of Spain has its own dances, some of which are centuries old.
These dances include the “muñeira” from Galicia, the “verdiales”
from Málaga, the “zorcico” from the Vasc Province, and the “sardana”
from Cataluña, all of which are very different. Folklore is
the most distinctive cultural expression of each region. Through
these beautiful dances, the people of each region express their uniqueness
and proud cultural heritage.
Eighteenth Century Dances, called “Escuela
Bolera”, are short dances performed with outfits, shoes and castanets typical
of the time of the great Spanish painter Goya, which is why they are also
called “Goyescas”. These dances are performed using dance steps from
classical ballet along with movements and expressions typical of XVIII
Century Spain.
Classical Ballet is the foundation of any
serious dance study. Classical ballet includes the technique to display
elegance and mastery of movement necessary in a variety of dance forms,
including Flamenco, Jazz, Contemporary dance, etc.
The Castanets, part of Spain’s musical
heritage, are a percussion instrument popular in various Spanish dances.
Mastery of the castanets requires separate study from dance to gain maximum
artistic expression. |
