The flamenco dancing courses at Festival de Jerez 2010 are already 70% full

702 students coming from 38 countries formalize their inscription for 42 courses in just one week since registration was opened

Flamenco-world.com, September 2009

In just one week, a total of 702 students coming from 38 countries have officially registered for the baile courses of the 14th Festival de Jerez, which will be held from February 26th to March 13th, 2010. Registration for the event’s 42 training courses - which also includes workshops on compás and clapping as well as master classes - opened on September 1st. The courses are now 69.5 percent full, since the offer is 1010 places. There are 16 full courses, and just like last year, the courses are predicted to fill up to one hundred percent capacity.

Festival de Jerez Courses (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

Out of the 38 countries represented, belonging to every continent, this first survey should emphasize the traditional dominance of the pupils coming from Japan and the strong establishment in this training area in European countries such as Germany, France and Italy, among others. Nevertheless, the dimension of ‘global village’ which the event’s courses take on every year is reflected by the notable presence of students from places as different as Taiwan, the United States, South America, South Africa and Australia.

The event offers diversification in the learning levels in four groups and requires accredited knowledge for the top-level courses. Together with the usual faculty of maestros of the Festival de Jerez (Matilde Coral, Angelita Gómez, Javier Latorre, El Pipa, Manolo Marín, Inmaculada Aguilar, Isabel Bayón, Merche Esmeralda and Javier Barón, among others), other new ones join them such as Concha Jareño and Manuela Carpio. Manolete and Belén Maya once again teach class, while La Truco and Leonor Leal repeat this educational experience begun last year.

Depending on the level, the length of the courses fluctuates from 12 to 15 hours of class and the number of places available is 25 per classroom. Alegrías, bulerías, tangos, soleá and siguiriyas are some of the flamenco styles included in an offer which doesn’t forget the rhythms coming from the guajira, martinete and taranto, among others. Moreover, emphasis is put on learning how to handle the bata de cola and other elements such as the shawl and the fan. At the same time, cantaor Chano Lobato is paid tribute with the rhythms of Cádiz.

Workshops and master classes

As far as the workshops on flamenco compás and clapping - taught by David ‘El Gamba’ and Jerónimo Utrilla - the learning levels are split up into basic and advanced. The number of places available is 20 per classroom, with a length of 7 and a half hours. These workshops are aimed at both baile students and any enthusiast of flamenco art in any of its expressions. One of the novelties is the inclusion of master classes by maestros from Jerez. With an intermediate level, a length of 3 hours and a maximum of 20 students per classroom, Juan Parra will be in charge of teaching this course.

Festival de Jerez Courses (Photo Daniel Muñoz)