THE FLAMENCO CENTRE
'living artful communication in a process of constant refinement...'
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Student performance: Rebecca Rush and Anastasia Dalziell, arte y compás.
Scroll down the page for:
The Early Days;
Development;
Relevance;
Studying at The Flamenco Centre;
Enrolments.
Article,'What is flamenco?' by Tomás Dietz, with images of dancers from the Flamenco Centre.
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THE EARLY DAYS
Tomás Dietz began teaching informally in Canberra in 1992. He was the first in Canberra to provide professional, structured tuition in pure flamenco dance, providing recreational courses at many venues including the old Griffin Centre, the Turner PCYC, the Griffith Uniting Church, the Pearce Community Centre, the National Capital Ballet School in Phillip, the Haigh Park Scout Hall, the Kaleen Community Hall and the Gorman House Arts Centre.
 Student performance: Jessica Coates dances por Soleá
DEVELOPMENT
The following grew until Mr Dietz formally established the Flamenco Dance Academy of Canberra in 2002. In 2005 Tomás gained accreditation with the Spanish Dance Institute (SDI), and in 2007 gained accreditation with Alianza Flamenca. The Academy expanded and offered occasional workshops by external practitioners and changed its name to The Flamenco Centre. The Centre is currently the only provider in the ACT/NSW region qualified to incorporate the international flamenco teaching standards of SDI and Alianza Flamenca.
 Student performance: Anastasia Dalziell, a palo seco
RELEVANCE
Part of Tomás's vision for The Flamenco Centre is to raise the profile of the art of flamenco in Canberra and make apparent its relevance to the mainstream local community. Tomás is encouraged as his students from all walks of life are adding momentum to this vision. Dancing securely on the fine balance between technique and inspiration his performing students draw their community in audience into the cathartic human art form that is flamenco.
Student performance: por Tangos.
R-L: Rhona Jason-Smith, Jane Cook, Anastasia Dalziell and Mikki Davidson
STUDYING AT THE FLAMENCO CENTRE
Classes are available for children and adults, aimed at all levels from recreational through to professional performance. The current teaching venue is the Canberra Youth Ballet School, Templeton Street, Cook.
Most beginner classes run for one hour and are a balance of fundamental technique and repertoire. Technique involves drilling exercises for precision, strength, speed and refinement in footwork, upper body, arm work, hands, coordination, castanet technique, and consolidation of the rhythms specific to flamenco. Repertoire is the body of choreography that is taught in class to consolidate and apply the various techniques learned.
Students must be aware that flamenco dance at any level, even beginners, is hard work; the execution of even the simplest flamenco choreography requires solid technique. Students need diligence and stamina to meet the demands of technique drills (the kinetic equivalent to studying grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation in order to gain native fluency in another language.
Occasional workshops by visiting flamenco artists are also arranged through The Flamenco Centre, including cajón percussion, guitar, and singing. Work shop times >
Students perform por Soleá.
L-R: Raquel Maldonado, Christine Carmody, Joaquina Romero, Faramarz Shakibaei, Erika Mordek, Jessica Coates.
 Student performance: Erika Mordek dances por Tangos.
ENROLMENTS Enrolments are taken by the term only to ensure students receive the minimum contact hours needed to approach such a complex and demanding art form. Places are secured by advance payment of term fees in full and are subject to The Flamenco Centre's Conditions. Contact the Director for enrolment enquiries and payment details.
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