Flamenco España

Bring the sights and sounds of Spain to your school! Flamenco is an exciting and energetic art form from southern Spain that embodies rich cultural influences of the Andalusian, Gypsy, Islamic and Sephardic cultures that have lived there through history. The dancer’s rhythmic footwork, graceful arm and hand movements, and hand clapping are accompanied by the powerful strumming and soulful chords of the guitar to express a wide variety of styles, or palos, from the most serious cante jondo, to the light-hearted cante chico.

Leading dancer Deborah Elias and master guitarist Michael Hauser are favorite performers who have been teaming up to bring flamenco to schools for over ten years.  Deborah Elias is a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s juried Arts in Education Roster of Artists, and has taught at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, and the University of Minnesota. She performs and choreographs with her own artistic endeavor, Deborah Elias Danza Española, as well as with guitarist Michael Hauser and Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. Michael Hauser is an esteemed teacher with many students and is on the music faculty at Macalester College. He is one of the founders of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and served as musical director and first guitarist for several years.