Children Children's Flamenco Dancing: Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

•   First mentioned in literature in 1774, Flamenco is often associated with the Romani people of Spain (Gitanos) although it is actually thought to have evolved from a wide variety of cultures including Punjabi singing of India, Jewish Synagogue Chants and Western African colonies. 

•  A male flamenco dancer is known as a “bailaor” and a female is called a “bailaora”. 

•  Castanets are a percussion instrument often used in Flamenco dancing to produce a series of clicks and rattles to accompany the dance, music and song. 

• Experienced Flamenco dancers often improvise during their dance when they are inspired by the rhythmic hand clapping and dramatic guitar playing.

•  Traditionally female Flamenco dancers usually wear black, red, navy blue or white dresses with many layers of ruffles and high heels. Men wear black or red tuxedo shirts with dark trousers. Modern costumes now often include a wide variety of colours.

Key questions to ask before enrolling your child in Flamenco dance classes;

• How many other children are in the class?

• Is there a strict dress code? Do you need to purchase items before your child starts their Flamenco dance lessons or can he/she wear their own clothes initially in case they decide not to continue?

• Coordination

• Balance

• Focus/concentration

• Agility

• Strength

• Stamina

• Endurance

• Posture

• Flexibility

• Precision

• Gross motor skills

• Rhythm

• Physical fitness

Learning Flamenco dancing has many benefits for a child.  Central to Flamenco are rhythm, posture, strength and body confidence all of which are valuable lessons to learn.  It is also a great way for children to keep fit and strengthen core muscles.

Arguably the most famous Flamenco dancer alive, Joaquín Pedraja Reyes "Joaquín Cortés" (born February 22, 1969) is a classically trained ballet and flamenco dancer from Spain. Aside from his own celebrity career, which includes endorsements, perfume lines and relationships with supermodels, his dance company has produced shows that fill stadiums.

Award winning dancer Sara Baras (born April 25, 1971) is a female flamenco dancer, born in San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain. She has also worked across all forms of media including television, film and the fashion catwalks. She has her own dance company and is one of the world’s most respected bailaora.

Listen to a short piece of Flamenco music while having a look at some children at Flamenco summer camp.

Flamenco music and dance filmed in Cadiz, Spain.

Famous male Flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés.

Famous female Flamenco dancer Sara Baras.