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A lot of you are probably out there curious about Flamenco but feel nervous to try it out. Lets be honest walking into a dance studio for the first time is nerve racking for most of us whether you have a dance background or not! At Amira Brooks Flamenco I understand these feelings all too well and strive to make the atmosphere as friendly and supportive as possible. The short answer is YES you absolutely can do Flamenco with no experience! In the beginners class we go over all the basics such as arm movements, hand movements, footwork, body awareness, coordination and turns. I also spend a lot of time in class explaining the rhythm and structure of Flamenco. There will be awkward and frustrating moments along the way and I recommend you embrace it with both arms, after all its about the journey and not the destination. The truth is Flamenco takes a really long time to master (I am still learning myself) and I understand that everyone has to start somewhere better than anyone. So don't be afraid just give it a whirl; I promise you won't regret it. Flamenco is fun and good for the heart and soul.

Absolutely not! This is something I often get asked and is a common misconception. I think this is because people have seen images or clips of Sevillanas which is a Spanish folkloric dance that is done in pairs; typically a man and a woman but can also be two women. Although Sevillanas is a very common dance done by many Spaniard's all over Spain it is technically not considered Flamenco. Flamenco dancers still perform Sevillanas and they flamencofy it adding castanets and fancy footwork! Flamenco is typically done as a solo, if we are speaking of professional dancers, however it is also performed in group choreographies which is a fun way for students to demonstrate their hard work and have fun. The performance aspect of Flamenco is really only part of the story. Flamenco culture has been nutured and envisioned by the gypsies in the south of Spain since its inception and now by Flamenco die hards like myself. Flamenco is often performed in private homes at parties called juergas and is very light hearted and improvised. At the end of the day Flamenco is a very personal journey and whether you dream of dancing in the spot light or are content to do a little dance in your home or while grocery shopping , it can bring a huge amount of joy and fulfillment into your life. I definitely believe its worth giving a try!

Flamenco! You've seen some and now you are hooked? Maybe you are wondering where the heck to start. Its pretty overwhelming to learn in the beginning but with the right instructor and patience its totally possible. My suggestion would be to find a local teacher in your area...Unfortunately some of us live somewhere where there are no teachers....no fear! Thanks to the internet there are many teachers who now offer classes online either live or through pre recorded lessons. Still Flamenco is HARD to learn online but it can be done and here is what I recommend. Find a buddy to do it with if you can, it helps with accountability. If you can set up a schedule that really helps. Also take as many classes with out of town workshops as you can and of course go to Spain, its life changing! At the end of the day though it is the practice that you do daily that counts the most. Also take ballet or other forms of dance it will help with your posture, coordination, balance and musicality. Usually classical forms of dance are offered in most areas. Finally LISTEN to as much flamenco music as possibly, its the only way to get the rhythm in your body. Most importantly have FUN, flamenco is a lifestyle and a life long journey. Buena Suerte! Besos, Amira.