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A Flamenco School Like No Other |
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Unlike the vast majority of flamenco schools, this one is not based in a large bustling city, but in the small, high mountain village of Capileira in Las Alpujarras on the edge of Parque National Sierra Nevada. Here Isabel Lagrilliere and Cristina Serrano Paz, who have been friends and dancing partners for more than 15 years, offer flamenco classes in their purpose-built studio surrounded by stunning mountain views and a tranquil village atmosphere.
One of Spain's prettiest villages, it is set against the spectacular back drop of the highest mountains on the Iberian Peninsular. Peaceful and charming, it nevertheless has its full quota of interesting tapa bars and restaurants, even a small, but fun selection of late night clubs.
Not only does the school enjoy a unique location, it offers an excellent service too. Their aim is to remove the stress from your holiday. Airport transfers, accommodation, expert tuition and excursions which will help you learn about the local area and its rich history are all included. You only need to book your flights and the school will take care of the rest.
Class sizes are restricted to a maximum of eight. This allows for extensive individual tuition by your teachers and will ensure you to make the most out of your studio time. Classes are suitable for a broad range of people, ranging from complete beginners, intermediate dancers and those with advanced experience. See below to find out more about the classes and which level is most suitable for you.
Alongside the classes, which take place throughout the week, you may choose, if you wish, to learn or brush up on your Spanish, the 'language of Flamenco', which many find helps to deepen their Flamenco knowledge and experience. We can also arrange a whole host of additional activities, such as horse riding, painting and walking.
Isabel Lagrillière is the daughter of internationally renowned Flamenco guitarist Rudi 'El Guiri', who established the first Flamenco school in the area 20 years ago. Up until his death in 1994 he inspired many with this beautiful art form that he dedicated a life time to mastering.
Visiting and living in Spain from the age of 10, Isabel was privy to grow up surrounded by flamenco and started dancing at an early age. She has studied with Ana Cáli, El Manolete, La Tati and many others. Isabel, who is fluent in Swedish, English, Dutch and Spanish is your contact at the school.
Cristina Serrano Paz was born in Madrid, but moved to Granada many years ago. As a child she loved Flamenco, and when she met Isabel's father, Rudi 'El Guiri', he inspired her to start dancing. Cristina has studied with many prestigious dancers over the years, and is a powerful dancer and a patient teacher.
Ten years ago she formed her own dance group, 'Esquina del Agua' together with Ana Rojas, and to this day they perform regularly throughout Andalucia.
For Beginners and Experienced Dancers |
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Tuition is offered suitable for all levels of experience, spanning beginner, intermediate and advanced level experience. The classes have guitar accompaniment, and special attention is paid to the relation between both dance and guitar and dance and voice. All classes take place in the school's purpose built studio in Capileira.
When you book your holiday with us we’ll contact you to discuss in more detail which classes will be most suitable for you, but the following is a guide to levels of tuition provided:
Beginners : this course is for those who have never danced flamenco before, or for those who have danced sevillanas or had a few flamenco classes but have never managed to master the basic foot tapping technique (zapateado).
Intermediate : for those who have been dancing flamenco for two or three years regularly, and have mastered the basic foot tapping technique. They may possibly already have danced tangos, alegrías or soleá, or only one of these various styles.
Advanced : only for those who have been dancing regularly for at least five or six years. Usually the participants have danced several of the palos, or styles and can catch on quickly to new steps. They need to have experience dancing tangos, alegrías, soleá, and bulerías.
The school offers a relaxed and friendly environment which will allow all your energy to be focussed on developing your skills. Class sizes are kept to a minimum, to give one-to-one personal attention wherever possible. All classes are divided into two sections:
Technique : this part of the class deals with the coordination of different parts of the body, and the consolidation of fundamental flamenco concepts.
Choreography : this focuses on the staging of choreography for different flamenco styles, ie. seguiriyas, soleá, soleá por bulerías, alegrías, etc. A guitarist will accompany this part of the class.
The holidays run from Saturday to Saturday, with classes taking place on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Depending on your level, you will be placed either in the morning (10.30 am to 2 pm) or afternoon classes (5 pm to 8.30 pm), giving you the other half of the day free for any other activities you wish to take part in. If all students attending the school are at the same level, classes will take place in the morning.
On Wednesday there is a break from classes with a walking excursion through the beautiful local countryside. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant. And on the Friday evening we hold an informal get-together for all students, with wine and soft drinks provided, to review and enjoy what each student has learned in the week. Whenever possible, a flamenco guitarist and singer will attend.
All of the above are included in the price of your holiday.
Optional Spanish language classes (subject to availability) take place at the school on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, starting at 3pm and run for two hours. Please note that should you wish to take these classes, the cost will be in addition to the basic price of your holiday. Likewise for an optional excursion on the Thursday evening to a local Flamenco club/bar (subject to availability), where dinner and a live performance of Flamenco can be enjoyed.
Teaching staff are all Spanish, all live and work in the province of Granda, and together have over a hundred years experience of studying and teaching Flamenco !
Each of them share a deep love for this most beautiful and traditional of Spanish art forms.
Cristina Serrano Paz was born in Madrid but has lived in the province of Granada for the last 30 years. She started dancing some 20 years ago and her art was formed as a pupil of Ana Cáli, Rosa 'La Canastera', Gadea, Takako, Lydia Pousa and many more.
She formed her own dancing group 'Esquina del Agua' 10 years ago and has since performed all over Andalucia. Currently she performs at the local Flamenco club, 'Al Catifa'. Apart from performing, Cristina has spent many years teaching the art of flamenco dancing and is a patient and inspiring teacher to beginners and intermediate levels.
Ana Rojas was born in Cádiz, started dancing as a little girl and grew up in a world of Flamenco. After moving to Granada in the 1980s she studied with Mari Paz Samaniego, Ana Cali, Rosa La Canastera and La Mati.
Currently Ana is part of the Flamenco group 'Esquina del Agua', along with Cristina, with whom she performs regularly. Ana also teaches in various dance academies and is one of our regular teachers for beginners.
Chua Alba is from the Albaycin, in the heart of Granada. She has been working as a flamenco dancer and teacher for over 20 years, and was taught by such great figures as Mariquilla, Manolete, María Cruz, Carmela Greco and Presy.
She has performed throughout Spain and northern Europe with various different dancing companies. In great demand to give courses both in Spain and abroad, it is for us a pleasure to have her on board as our intermediate and advanced levels teacher.
The school is based in a village house that is thought to be over 500 years old, situated right in the heart of the ancient and picturesque village of Capileira.
Fitted to the highest standard, the ground floor contains a bespoke, hand made traditional dance floor and full studio facilities.
The first floor contains the classroom where our Spanish language classes are held, and a library with a selection of Flamenco books and DVDs, all which students are free to make use of at any time during the school opening hours.
Included in the price of your holiday is seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation at Finca Los Llanos *** in Capileira, a couple of minutes stroll away from the school.
The friendly service offered by Gloria and Fernando and their charming daughters is appreciated by all who stay there. The twin-bedded rooms (all with en-suite bathrooms) are cosy, well equipped and comfortable. There is a full-sized swimming pool. For more information (and photos) of Finca Los Llanos, click here
The flamenco holidays run between 5th April and 1st November inclusive, 2008. All holidays run from Saturday to Saturday.
The inclusive price for the beginners and intermediate classes, is £540 per person (sharing a room); the single accommodation supplement is £50. For the advanced course the price is £620 per person (sharing a room); the single accommodation supplement is £50.
Prices are inclusive of • three hours daily tuition on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday • seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation at Finca Los Llanos • walking excursion on the Wednesday, including lunch • wine and snacks on the Friday evening • Transfers to and from Granada airport or bus station
Prices do not include • Airfares • Lunch and dinner (except for lunch on the Wednesday) • Personal or medical insurance • The optional extras listed below
Optional Extras • Spanish language classes (five two-hour sessions which take place on the same day as the Flamenco classes. These classes cost £110 per person) • Thursday excursion to the Flamenco restaurant (there is a charge for admission to the performance with dinner and drinks charged seperately. These costs are payable by you directly on the evening) • Additional activities such as horse riding, painting are sometimes available for a supplement.
Clients arrange their own flights to Granada Airport. See our Links Page for web sites of airlines travelling to Granada from the UK. From Granada airport transfers to and from the school are provided (this is included in the price of your holiday).
If you are not able to fly directly to Granada from where you are, you can book a flight to Malaga and then take the bus to Granada, which takes about 75 minutes. We will then collect you from Granada bus station and provide transfers to and from the school.
What do I need to bring ?
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If you have a pair of dancing shoes, bring those with you. If you don't have any, don't worry as we can provide some for you. Prices vary from 40 - 90 Euros; give us your size and colour preference when booking your holiday.
What do I do about lunch and dinner ?
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Capileira offers a good selection of cafes, bars and restaurants. Lunch is usually available between 1pm - 4pm, and dinner from 7.30pm - 10pm. Prices range from 10 to 30 Euros per person for a meal plus wine. Alternatively, another very popular option is to enjoy the free tapas that many bars in Capileira offer when drinks are ordered.
There is every reason to expect the delightful Andalucían sun to shine during your holiday. However, there may be showers during spring and autumn. Temperatures range from 10C to 15C degrees in early March to 30C or 35C degrees in July and August.
We recommend that you take out adequate holiday and accident insurance in advance of your holiday. See our Links Page for web sites of travel insurance companies.
Spain has a National Health Service and it is important that participants from European Union countries obtain a European Health Card (this replaces the form E111 in the UK) from their local post office which will entitle them to free medical service while in Spain. Without this clients may be requested to pay in full for any medical treatment received in Spain.
Whilst every care is taken to ensure the safety of participants and their effects, Rustic Blue and the flamenco school do not accept responsibility for loss of personal belongings or injury. |
