At the end of each year Studio Flamenco gives every student (regardless of level, age or experience) the opportunity to perform and showcase what they have learned over the year in their show 'Fiesta'. 2009 was the 6th annual 'Fiesta' and each year the number of performers increases. It is also an opportunity for flamenco guitar students to gain experiences performing with dancers.

I think that it's very important for students of flamenco to have the opportunity to perform what they have learned regardless of their level. There are shows for the public and there are shows for us... The 'end of year student show' is definitely for us - the audience is mostly family and friends of the performers. It's far more inspiring to work towards something; to have a deadline and a goal; and by knowing that each year every single student that wishes to perform will get the opportunity to.

It will serve to fuel their practice (we hope).

Editors Note:Studio Flamenco are based in Adelaide, South Australia. They offer regular flamenco dance classes, workshops with special guests, a dance in schools program, and a professional dance company from its base in Clarence Park

For the musicians, the end of year shows themselves are always fun and relaxed. The hardest thing is the rehearsals, imagine 70 people of all ages skill stomping non-stop in your ear, but we don't mind it and we are always happy and satisfied in the end. You just know its 'end of year show' when you go home after each rehearsal with a headache, exhausted and with no nails left, all you can do is sit on the couch with a blank face cause you don't have the strength to have an expression. Its kind of a flamenco marathon. :-)

Working with The Teachers of Studio Flamenco

Emma Fernée and Susi Masi

We have a very healthy relationship, great respect and great communication between dance teachers and musicians, everyone gets the opportunity to be heard and contribute ideas ...That is one of my most favourite kind of dancer ...the kind that realizes that just because it's her Alegrias solo doesn't make it hers alone... it's just as much the guitarists as it is the singers as it is hers... it's important that you all feel good and proud and happy and excited with what you are doing together...Most of the time, as is tradition, I will work the guitar around the singing and dancing but every now and then - when I like something so much that I have to use it - we work the dancing around the melody. I am very thankful to Emma and Susi for being open to this and working together with me.

Credits

Video Filmed by SE Productions Choreography: Francesca Grima of Puerto Flamenco, Seville on her visit to Australia in 2009. Dancers: Emma Fernee, Sugika Nishiue, Elisabeth Hutchinson and Nadia Butler Song: Mari Olivares Cajon: Adrian Van Nunen Palmas: Daniel Lyas and Rafael Delgado. Guitar: Florian

Studio Flamenco Fiesta 2009 » wrap-up

Working with The Teachers of Studio Flamenco

Emma Fernée and Susi Masi

Credits