Does a serious student of flamenco have to make the pilgrimage to Spain to become an artist?
Yes, but they have to be thoughtful about it. There are two reasons to go to Spain: to absorb the culture and to study flamenco with great teachers. Most students get off the plane and run straight to the nearest studio. My advice—spend some time absorbing the atmosphere, the architecture; eat the food; observe people’s mannerisms. Then, maybe, take a class. If you have a month, take two weeks to study Spanish and the next two to check out the classes that may fit your personality. Spain is Mecca for the serious flamenco student. Traveling there is a must for the ambiente alone. What if you can’t afford to go to Spain? Should you give up on flamenco? You can always go to the Festival Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Aside from this year’s hiatus due to the global financial crisis, it’s the finest performance/workshop for flamenco artists and students outside of Spain. What is the relationship between choreography and technique in flamenco? Choreography emerges with an understanding
