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ANNA
M DUEN-LEON: FLAMENCO SUCCESS FLOURISHES ON SUSSEX COAST
Brighton-based flamenco teacher, Anna M Duen-Leon, has
gone from strength-to-strength since
she last appeared in SeeLife Magazine back in March.
Rachel has invited Anna M Duen-Leon to
answer a few commonly asked flamenco-related questions, and to dispel a few
myths, about the beautiful dance, that is, flameco.
Rachel: Can anyone learn?
Anna: Yes anyone can learn, young or
old, big or small. Naturally if you have health problems you should consult your
doctor and inform your teacher.
R: What items are needed before I can attend
my first class? And where can I but them?
A: As a beginner I would advise you
to wear shoes or boots with a slight heel (say 2 inches). It's important that
the shoe is secure on your foot so something with a strap or lace is often
better.
Of course flamenco shoes are ideal as they give better support to the feet as
well as being designed specifically for the dance, however they start at about
£50. Now there are quite a few suppliers on the net who have wider ranges of
shoes and accessories than some of the local outlets, so they are worth checking
out.
It's not essential for absolute beginners to buy skirts but after a few months I
normally suggest that they do. However, many of my students have actually made
their own skirts and even dresses.
I don't want people to be put off flamenco because they think they have to spend
too much money. Often students can find full circle skirts in charity shops
which is fine. Obviously if you're going to Spain then all of these things can
be bought much cheaper there.
R: Do I need a
guitarist and singer in order to dance the flamenco?
A: Naturally for performances in
theatres it's important to have a guitarist, singer and ideally a 'palmero'
(someone who marks the rhythm by clapping.)
With regard to local classes I use CD music which is specifically recorded for
dancers. The most important part is that the student learns how the dance
relates to the singer and guitarist and vice versa.
R: Are there different styles of flamenco,
or is it a unified discipline?
A: Like all forms of dance there are
different styles and ideally each dancer will learn many different styles before
developing their own.
Having said that the basic disciplines of footwork, posture, and arms are the
same. It's up to the dancer to use their technique and understanding of the
music and to then create something personal and unique which is an expression of
themselves.
R: Are the gypsies the true exponents of
flamenco?
A: There are certain flamenco
dances/music that are definitely more of gypsy origin than others, and it's true
that the gypsies have an energy and style that is unique to them.
However, there are great non gypsy or 'payo' flamencos who are equal in their
talent. I would say that the gypsies have a rawer style generally but now with
so many ‘payo’
dancers learning from gypsies and vice versa the difference is less defined.
It would be negating some phenomenal dancers such as Eva La Yerbabuena and
Antonio Gades to say only gypsies know about flamenco, but they do have
something very special!
R: Is there a flamenco type Mafia? Is the
‘professional’ and ‘competitive’ wing of flamenco elitist?
A: Perhaps Mafia is a strong word but
there is definitely a pecking order in the flamenco world particularly in the
tablaos (live flamenco clubs).
Some flamencos complain that bookers are interested only in those artists who
have been named and praised by the flamencologists (aficionados and critics who
write, review and report on flamenco.)
Other tablaos are said to favour artists who are connected with the well known
gypsy families or bull fighters (who are the biggest celebrities in Spain.) Like
any other art form it is extremely competitive.
R: Does there exist a new generation of
flamenco dancer who has broken with tradition and redefined the art of the
time-honoured dance? Or do the old traditions still hold true?
A: There are new generations of
flamencos who are breaking with tradition, but there are also young artists such
as Miguel Poveda and Mayte Martín (singers) who maintain a traditional purity
in their work.
It is natural that flamenco will evolve and change, drawing influence from
outside and this shouldn't necessarily be seen as a bad thing.
There is room for both those artists who stay more close to tradition and those
who break with it, providing the quality of their work is good.
R: Understand you’ve produced a video to
help beginners and the just plain interested. What’s been the response?
A: Yes! I've created a video 'An
Intoduction To Flamenco Dance' and the response has been extremely good,
particularly in the USA.
We get so many messages from people who have always wanted to learn flamenco
dance and they are thrilled that (thanks to the video) they now can.
R: How did the video come about?
A: The video came about from my
students. Ever since I started teaching students were asking what they should
practice at home to improve their technique. Others would complain that they
could never remember steps at home.
I've also taught workshops in areas where students don't have regular classes
and they've needed a format to work to.
All of these things helped me decide that providing a video would be a positive
thing.
R: How do you promote the
video and dance school?
A: I've been lucky that I've never
advertised my dance classes but the video was different. We placed some adverts
in flamenco magazines both in Spain and in the UK, but many of our sales have
come from people surfing for information on flamenco dance or tuition.
On our website, flamencodance.co.uk
there is information on my classes and soon we will have links to other flamenco
sites, including menkes.es, who supply flamenco shoes and accessories.
R: Has it proved to be a viable proposition
setting up a flamenco dance school in Brighton?
A: When I first started teaching
flamenco I never realised just how popular it would be, but yes, it has proved
extremely viable.
At the moment I am teaching 5 classes per week - from absolute beginners to
advanced - and I have also been asked to teach workshops at various schools in
the area which is fantastic.
I love teaching so much and it's wonderful to see my student's skill at flamenco
grow, as well as their passion for it!
R: I’m 40, overweight and a couch potato!
Could flamenco change my life?
A: Flamenco really is for anyone. I
really believe that if more people found a form of exercise they enjoyed
everyone would be a lot healthier.
Many of my students are aged 50-and-over and they include nurses, teachers,
managers, retired professionals, mothers and students - so there really is not
one type!
R: How much will it cost me? How often
should I attend? Will people laugh at me?
A: The price of the video is £19.99
& P+P (although my students get a discount) and class prices
vary from £5 per lesson to £45 for a course.
I'm always happy for people to watch a class before committing to join, but
students do normally get hooked quite quickly and then can't live without it!
I want people to enjoy flamenco, so yes people will laugh, but I run encouraging
and supportive classes so when we laugh, we laugh together!
Check-out Anna M Duen-Leon @ flamencodance.co.uk
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